Scouting Report: Willie Cauley-Stein, C, Kentucky
Tap here to get an in-depth look at the top prospects in this year's draft class leading up to the NBA draft, which takes place on June 25 in Brooklyn.
For as much obvious talent as Kentucky possessed this season, their most interesting player is a 7-foot enigma who averaged eight points per game over three seasons as a Wildcat.
Willie Trill Cauley-Stein - real name, no gimmicks - stands as the best defensive player in the entire draft, with enough substantial impact on his own end of the floor that he's a potential top-10 pick before even factoring in what he could offer on offense. More than how they see his offense developing, teams will be weighing Cauley-Stein's interviews heavily. Teams question whether his heart is fully into basketball, despite his return to school for a third season and the marked improvements in his game. Being interesting isn't the same as being a problem, and the team that sees that could have a defensive anchor for the next decade.
Relevant Background
| Position | DraftExpress Rank | ESPN Rank | Height w/ Shoes | Weight |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| C | 6 | 8 | 7' 0.5" | 242 |
| Wingspan | Standing Reach | Max Vertical (in.) | Hand Length (in.) | Body Fat % |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 7' 3" | 9 3" | N/A | 9.5 | 6.3% |
| NCAA Stats | PPG | RPG | BPG | FG% | FT% |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2014-15 | 8.9 | 6.4 | 1.7 | 57.2% | 61.7% |
| 2013-14 | 6.8 | 6.1 | 2.9 | 59.6% | 48.2% |
| 2012-13 | 8.3 | 6.2 | 2.1 | 62.1% | 37.2% |
Scouting Report
Strengths: With terrific size and length, and incredible quickness for a center, there's no player in the draft more ready to defend NBA talent. Cauley-Stein can protect the rim, switch onto guards in the pick-and-roll, and sprint the floor with even the fastest offensive players. His quickness helps in the transition game, too, and his improved free-throw shooting leaves hope he could eventually be more than a dive-man dunker. Even if the offense never really comes around, there's immense value in a player who can legitimately guard every position on the floor, and who plays like he loves doing it.
Weaknesses: Forget the personality stuff - it's impossible to evaluate from afar, and there have been plenty of interesting people who made good and bad basketball players. On the court, Cauley-Stein could stand to get stronger to help him on the block against larger centers and to help him better fight for defensive rebounds, a bit of a weakness in his statistical profile. He also needs to refine his offensive game - he doesn't have much of a jump shot, can't score with his back to the basket, and isn't an adept passer.
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What to Expect on Draft Day
New York Knicks President Phil Jackson wants himself a Tyson Chandler type, and for as much as player comparisons are a risky and foolhardy endeavor, Cauley-Stein is an apt pick for that desire. That means his range begins at No. 4, even if it's unlikely the Knicks would jump without trying to trade down. He'd work for the Orlando Magic at No. 5 and would be a great fit with the Sacramento Kings at No. 6, and there's almost no chance he gets past the Indiana Pacers at No. 11 - President Larry Bird told Cauley-Stein he's a "$100-million player," and teams don't pass those up late in the lottery.