76ers select Jerami Grant with the No. 39 pick in 2014 NBA Draft

Click here to access our NBA Draft Tracker, which includes all rounds, trades and rumors.

The Philadelphia 76ers selected Syracuse forward Jerami Grant with the No. 39 overall pick in the 2014 NBA Draft on Thursday night.

Well, Philadelphia is obviously one of the team's who was high on Grant, as his stock was said to vary quite a bit between teams. Once thought a borderline lottery pick, Grant's historical NBA comparables and questions about whether his defense - strong at Syracuse, but in a zone system that is yet to produce a great NBA defender - would translate at the next level were reasons for pause.

As it is, however, Grant is extremely athletic and it's hard not to take note when he's on the floor, especially in transition. He uses that athleticism to help on the glass and push the tempo, and it's what has some thinking his defense could carry over, regardless of the zone experience. He's not a slam dunk, but there's potential here.

Grant's athleticism surely appealed to the 76ers. He's raw, and will need some time to develop into a contributor at the NBA level, but the 76ers are clearly willing to wait on talent.

You can read more about Grant in our scouting report.