NBA Draft Rumors
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2013 NBA DRAFT RUMORS STORIES
June 4
Alex Len had surgery to repair a partial stress fracture in his left ankle on April 27 at Charlotte’s Mercy Hospital. He walks with crutches but hops the stairs, two at a time. The foot’s range of motion has improved, but it still hurts when trainers grab the heel, arch back his toes and apply pressure to stretch it out. Stress fractures worsen over time, compounded by overuse, so it’s impossible to pinpoint exactly when the injury occurred. Maybe during the ACC tournament in mid-March, when Len says he struggled to walk around the team hotel after games. Maybe against Iowa in the National Invitation Tournament semifinals on April 2, when the pain reached its peak. Right now, though, the origins don’t matter so much. Washington Post
April 16
Junior guard Vander Blue of the Marquette University men's basketball team announced Tuesday morning that he will forgo his final season of eligibility and officially submit his name for the National Basketball Association (NBA) Draft. Blue, a 6-4, 200-pound guard, plans to sign with an agent. "I've had three great years here and appreciate everything Marquette has done for me during that time to help me develop," Blue said. "At this point I want to pursue my dream. I've prayed about it and discussed it with my family and think this is the right decision for me at this time. "I really want to thank all of the coaches and staff at Marquette for helping me become a better player and a man," Blue added. "I also loved and appreciate the support shown by Marquette fans across the country during my career, especially during home games at the Bradley Center." GoMarquette
North Carolina junior forward Reggie Bullock has decided to enter the 2013 NBA draft, a source told Yahoo! Sports on Monday night. A formal university announcement is expected as soon as Tuesday. Bullock, 22, has gone back and forth on his decision, but ultimately decided in the past 48 hours to make the move into the pros. North Carolina coaches tried to convince Bullock to remain for his senior year and improve his draft status, but Bullock, a 6-foot-7 small forward, made the choice to leave now. Yahoo
April 15
University of Kentucky freshman All-America selection Nerlens Noel will forego his sophomore season and enter his name in this year’s NBA Draft. “I have loved my time at Kentucky, but I feel that I’m ready to take the next step to the NBA,” Noel said. “I’ve learned so much here at UK and am thankful for Coach (John) Calipari, the staff and my teammates for all of their support. I especially appreciate the Big Blue Nation and all of the support, prayers and well-wishes I’ve received from them during my rehab and decision-making process. I’ll always be a Wildcat!” InsideHoops
April 4:
There is good news and bad news for Steven Adams, a 7-foot freshman center who decided to leave Pitt after one season to declare for the NBA draft. The good: He is taking advantage of a weak draft class and NBA teams are always searching for 7-foot centers, especially ones with the athletic skills Adams possesses.
The bad: It might be a while before Adams is playing meaningful minutes in the league. Pittsburgh Post-Gazette
March 30:
To stay at Indiana or chase their dream of playing in the NBA? That’s the question IU junior guard Victor Oladipo and sophomore center Cody Zeller have to answer over the next couple of weeks. It’s an easy decision for Oladipo according to a handful of NBA scouts and front office personnel. One scout told The Star: “It’s a no-brainer for Victor to head to the league because his value won’t get any higher than what it is. Returning will likely hurt him.” Indianapolis Star
Zeller has the tougher decision to make. He entered the college season rated by many as the potential No. 1 overall pick in this summer’s NBA draft. But that talk died down as the season progressed because Zeller “lacks toughness and rarely took over games” this season, according to an NBA general manager. Indianapolis Star
The draft was already turning into a sinkhole, with few prospects even at the top of the lottery truly exciting front offices, and now there is increasing skepticism about potential No. 1 pick Ben McLemore. The Kansas freshman -- the Kansas freshman shooting guard -- missed all nine shots in Sunday's victory over North Carolina and scored his only two points on free throws. Bad games can happen, and they can especially happen to players in the tournament for the first time. But this has become all too common. NBA.com
At the start of the Indiana season, Zeller was possible No. 1 pick and Oladipo was late-first. By the end, as of Thursday's loss to Syracuse and its constricting zone, Oladipo has positioned himself to get picked ahead. Oladipo has climbed that much -- he was No. 8 in the mock draft at the start of the tournament, with Zeller at No. 7 -- and may now go before both Zeller and UCLA's Shabazz Muhammad, each past candidates for the top choice. NBA.com
Zeller, if he comes out, will have the advantage of being a big man in a draft with little in the way of dependable power forwards and centers. And he should be a dependable pick, a prospect who does not project to be a star but also does not bring the risk of a lot of players at any position. NBA.com
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