Wiggins and Parker. Parker and Wiggins. No matter which way you slice it, these were the names everyone was talking about.
Well now that we are well into the season, now the name everyone is talking about is Kansas Jayhawk Joel Embiid. Embiid, from Cameroon, has catapulted his name into being the likely number one draft pick in the 2014 NBA Draft.
Although he began playing basketball only three years ago, Embiid has been a dominate defensive presence for the Jayhawks and has steadily developed his offensive game.
He has played so well, he has nearly overshadowed his much-hyped teammate Andrew Wiggins. Embiid has averaged 2.5 blocks, 10.7 points, 7.8 rebounds and has drawn comparisons to Hakeem Olajawon and Tim Duncan. Not so shabby.
He is being viewed as a true center by NBA scouts, which is substantial as the league has had a drought at the position. Embiid is seven feet tall, 250 pounds, with a phenomenal 7’5″ wingspan. Not to mention he’s just 19 years old and still growing!
The only thing derailing Embiid now is injuries. Coach Bill Self said this week Embiid could miss time with knee and back injuries in the midst of Kansas’s pursuit of the number one seed in the NCAA tournament.
The Jayhawks need Embiid healthy for the tournament and with a strong showing, Embiid would be an unanimous number one pick, assuming he doesn’t return to Kansas for his sophomore season).
With names such as Andrew Wiggins, Jabari Parker, Aaron Gordon, Dante Exum, Julius Randle, Marcus Smart and of course Joel Embiid, this will be potentially the strongest draft the NBA has seen in years.
