2011 NBA Draft and Offseason Blog
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Written by Paul Banks of the Washington Times, and David Kay of the The Sports Bank.
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2011 NBA Draft Combine Coverage: Chris Singleton is a Lottery Sleeper - June 13
This NBA Draft season look out for Chris Singleton. No, not the late 90s/early 00s Chicago White Sox position player turned ESPN analyst, but one of the best defenders in college basketball this past season. If you're looking for a lottery sleeper pick, then focus on the junior from Canton, Ga.
The Seminoles specialized in defense, leading the nation in points against average, and their main weapon and leader was 6-9 forward Chris Singleton who was the ACC's Defensive Player of the Year.
"I'm one of the most versatile guys, and I feel like I can do whatever any team wants me to do," Singleton said at the 2010 NBA Draft Combine in Chicago. "I feel like I can fit every system. Wherever you want to put me, I can play."
Singleton had interviews with 15 teams during the combine sessions including: New York Knicks, Chicago Bulls, Cleveland Cavaliers, Milwaukee Bucks, Atlanta Hawks, Detroit Pistons, Minnesota Timberwolves, Indiana Pacers and Golden State Warriors.
He definitely stood out as one of the best interviews at combine media day. Not only did he have a lot of interesting things to say (unlike many of the players there), but he also showed us his whole list of NBA team meetings. Just showed us the whole thing - didn't mess around.
Singleton also talked about the interview process.
"If they're interested in you, they know everything about you," he said. "They've called the schools, they're going to know what they're talking about and they're going to look to see how you are in different environments."
The biggest knock on Singleton is his inconsistent offensive game, specifically his jump shot. His three-point percentage did improve this past season as he hit nearly 36 percent of his triple tries compared to the 29.7 percent he shot as a sophomore.
"It's steadily been getting better, I've been working hard here at Attack Athletics," he said.
Singleton's game also benefited greatly from working out with USA Men's Select Team last summer.
"I was nervous," Singleton admitted. "I was on anyone from Kevin Love, Kevin Garnett, Jeff Green, Rudy Gay, Russell Westbrook, Derrick Rose. I was guarding twos sometimes. I had to guard everybody, Now I know what to expect in the NBA. Those are considered some of the top 50 guys in the league."
Besides the professionals he competed against, he also spent a couple weeks working out with the top college basketball talent.
"I had two of the best scorers on my team, I had Kemba and Jimmer," Singleton said. "I try to take a little bit from everybody. I love Kemba's game. I knew he had it in him. Jimmer is probably the most quiet person you'll ever meet, but this (high profile season) really helped him, being in the spotlight. And it brought it out in him. And that's why you cheer for him. He's my boy."
Singleton is not a great scorer and probably never will be a star player at the next level, but should be a great complementary piece due to his versatility as a defender. We see him comparing favorably to Shawn Marion. On draft night, Singleton could go anywhere from the middle of the lottery to the late teens.
Send Paul an e-mail here: paulb05 AT hotmail DOT com.
All other e-mail, including advertising and link proposals, send to: wpc112@gmail.com
2011 NBA Draft Combine Coverage: Chris Singleton is a Lottery Sleeper - June 13
This NBA Draft season look out for Chris Singleton. No, not the late 90s/early 00s Chicago White Sox position player turned ESPN analyst, but one of the best defenders in college basketball this past season. If you're looking for a lottery sleeper pick, then focus on the junior from Canton, Ga.
The Seminoles specialized in defense, leading the nation in points against average, and their main weapon and leader was 6-9 forward Chris Singleton who was the ACC's Defensive Player of the Year.
"I'm one of the most versatile guys, and I feel like I can do whatever any team wants me to do," Singleton said at the 2010 NBA Draft Combine in Chicago. "I feel like I can fit every system. Wherever you want to put me, I can play."
Singleton had interviews with 15 teams during the combine sessions including: New York Knicks, Chicago Bulls, Cleveland Cavaliers, Milwaukee Bucks, Atlanta Hawks, Detroit Pistons, Minnesota Timberwolves, Indiana Pacers and Golden State Warriors.
He definitely stood out as one of the best interviews at combine media day. Not only did he have a lot of interesting things to say (unlike many of the players there), but he also showed us his whole list of NBA team meetings. Just showed us the whole thing - didn't mess around.
Singleton also talked about the interview process.
"If they're interested in you, they know everything about you," he said. "They've called the schools, they're going to know what they're talking about and they're going to look to see how you are in different environments."
The biggest knock on Singleton is his inconsistent offensive game, specifically his jump shot. His three-point percentage did improve this past season as he hit nearly 36 percent of his triple tries compared to the 29.7 percent he shot as a sophomore.
"It's steadily been getting better, I've been working hard here at Attack Athletics," he said.
Singleton's game also benefited greatly from working out with USA Men's Select Team last summer.
"I was nervous," Singleton admitted. "I was on anyone from Kevin Love, Kevin Garnett, Jeff Green, Rudy Gay, Russell Westbrook, Derrick Rose. I was guarding twos sometimes. I had to guard everybody, Now I know what to expect in the NBA. Those are considered some of the top 50 guys in the league."
Besides the professionals he competed against, he also spent a couple weeks working out with the top college basketball talent.
"I had two of the best scorers on my team, I had Kemba and Jimmer," Singleton said. "I try to take a little bit from everybody. I love Kemba's game. I knew he had it in him. Jimmer is probably the most quiet person you'll ever meet, but this (high profile season) really helped him, being in the spotlight. And it brought it out in him. And that's why you cheer for him. He's my boy."
Singleton is not a great scorer and probably never will be a star player at the next level, but should be a great complementary piece due to his versatility as a defender. We see him comparing favorably to Shawn Marion. On draft night, Singleton could go anywhere from the middle of the lottery to the late teens.
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