Auburn males’s basketball head coach Bruce Pearl did an interview Wednesday on the radio present “McElroy and Cubelic within the Morning” forward of the 2022 NBA Draft on Thursday.
Pearl had excessive reward for Auburn gamers Jabari Smith and Walker Kessler coming into the NBA Draft. He additionally praised Duke product Paolo Banchero.
His phrases weren’t so variety to Gonzaga’s 7-foot-tall Chet Holmgren, who’s USA Right now’s No. 2 projected decide.
Pearl’s feedback about Holmgren got here in response to being requested by Greg McElroy who he would decide as No. 2 after Jabari Smith. Perla left with Banchero.
Bruce Pearl criticizes Chet Holmgren’s physique
“Chet is intriguing, however so was Shawn BradleyPearl mentioned referring to the Philadelphia 76ers second total decide within the 1993 NBA Draft.
The 7-foot-6 Bradley performed within the NBA from 1993 to 2005 however by no means made an NBA All-Star staff. He led the NBA in blocked photographs in 2000-01, and was within the prime 5 in blocked photographs seven occasions.
“The NBA stands for No Boys Allowed,” Pearl mentioned as she continued to speak about Holmgren. “And that physique scares me. It simply does. He will get on his knees with the improper man, and he may snap in half. So on the prime of the draft, I believe I’ve to go together with what I do know not what may doubtlessly be in the future.”
Holmgren is 7 ft tall and weighs 195 kilos. He averaged 14.1 factors, 9.9 rebounds and 1.9 assists at Gonzaga as a freshman in 2021-22.
Smith is 6-foot-10 and weighs 220 kilos. Kessler is 7-foot-1 and weighs 245 kilos.
Bruce Pearl praises Jabari Smith’s leap shot
Earlier than Pearl talked about Holmgren, Cole Cubelic requested Pearl to speak about how Jabari Smith competes behind the scenes.
“I do not suppose there is a concern there,” Pearl mentioned of Smith’s competitiveness. “I believe the query is speaking about, I believe, the number one purpose why you’re taking him as #1. Completely, the leap shot is the very best of any man his dimension within the final 10 years in school basketball, till KD (Kevin Durant) perhaps. That is uncooked and that interprets. That is quick productiveness.
“The second factor is that he can defend from one to 5, as a result of he competes defensively,” Pearl continued of Smith. “Cause #1 is that the boy would not lose. That is purpose #1. he would not lose.”
Bruce Pearl compares Walker Kessler to Al Horford
USA Right now initiatives Walker Kessler to be the twenty fifth decide within the 2022 NBA Draft. This is what Pearl needed to say about Kessler on Wednesday.
“He is an unbelievable athlete,” Pearl mentioned. “Individuals do not discuss his athleticism, his velocity, his quickness, his potential to maneuver laterally, clearly his potential to stand up. And he isn’t 7-foot. He is 7-1 and just a little bit. And an inch and a half makes an enormous, huge distinction. So, clearly, he can impression the sport. I assumed he was essentially the most impactful participant in school basketball final yr, due to what he did on the rim each offensively and defensively.”
Pearl talked about Kessler for a few minutes, ending by evaluating him to the Boston Celtics ahead and former nationwide champion Florida Gators. Al-Horford together with NBA facilities Brook and Robin Lopez.
“I believe he will be a dominant 3-point shooter on the subsequent degree,” Pearl mentioned of Kessler. “Al Horford by no means made a 3-pointer in Florida, by no means made a 3-pointer in Florida, and he is the most effective fifths within the NBA at his age. Walker is forward of him. He might be like one of many Lopez twins, an element within the hoop and an element on the 3-point line.
This is extra Auburn basketball information:
The Orlando Magic have the No. 1 decide within the 2022 NBA Draft. The draft is scheduled to start at 6:30 p.m. CT on Thursday, June 23.
erik corridor is the main digital producer of sports activities with the USA Right now Community. You’ll find him on Twitter @HallErik.