Grant Jerrett dunks for two points vs. Ohio State in the NCAA Tournament. Photo by Jayne Kamin-Oncea-USA TODAY Sports
The NBA draft lottery was held Tuesday night, spawning a fresh round of mock drafts.
Arizona wing Solomon Hill and power forward Grant Jerrett just got done participating in last week’s NBA Draft combine, so scouts and media were able to get a good look at each and further evaluate their skills.
Hill, all along, has been considered second-round material, and the new mock drafts reflect a holding pattern.
Jeff Goodman of CBSSports.com moved Hill up four spots to No. 52, going to Minnesota. Wrote Goodman: “Big-time athlete who could become a defensive stopper. Has really improved his perimeter shot.”
DraftExpress.com pegs Hill at No. 56 to Detroit.
It’s with Jerrett that things are more up in the air. His curious decision to leave after his freshman season had some wondering if he would be drafted at all.
“Initially, I was surprised,” Arizona coach Sean Miller said of Jarrett’s decision to leave.
“But that’s all part of it when you recruit a very talented young player. … I think from Grant’s perspective, he felt he was ready and he was willing to make that climb to become an NBA player. I have no doubt he has the talent to do it.
“Over the last month, I have received so many calls about him. My goal now is to help him become the highest pick he can possibly become in the NBA Draft.”
Jerrett, as a 6-10 forward, has one marketable skill right now — his jump shooting and ability to stretch the floor on offense. He will need time to develop strength and moves closer to the basket against NBA big men.
With more time at Arizona, it would be easy to see Jerrett not only being a first-rounder, but a potential lottery pick.
“The one thing Grant has to his advantage is he has a true position in the NBA,” Miller said.
“He can play the 4. He’s very skilled. He’s long. He’s not a small guy at all. His best basketball is ahead of him, for sure.”
There’s too much raw skill there for Jerrett to slide all the way out of the draft. As for the most recent projections, Goodman has Jerrett at No. 44 overall, while DratfExpress.com puts him at No. 58 — just two spots away from the last pick.
UPDATE (Thursday morning): DraftExpress.com has updated its mock draft, sliding Hill to No. 57 and Jerrett to No. 59.