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Frank Kaminsky – 7’1” Center, University of Wisconsin, 22 years old
After a tremendous senior season at Wisconsin that included winning the National College Player of the Year Award and the John Wooden Award, as well as leading the Badgers all the way to the NCAA Championship Game, Frank Kaminsky is on his way to the NBA. He is a very intriguing prospect, as he is a proven winner and leader, yet many scouts question whether his game can succeed outside of Wisconsin’s unique offensive system. Kaminsky will most likely get selected in the late lottery by a team searching for an experienced center who can spread the floor.
Offensive Game – Frank Kaminsky is arguably the most versatile scorer of all the centers in this year’s draft class. He can score from the perimeter, as well as down low on the block. He has terrific footwork around the rim, which enables him to get in position to finish off post-ups with his soft touch. After shooting an impressive 42% from beyond the arc in his senior season at Wisconsin, Kaminsky also figures to be a lethal three point threat in the NBA, forcing opposing centers to extend out to the perimeter. He excels at taking advantage of slower, bulkier centers by blowing right by them off the dribble. Kaminsky’s ability to face up and back down defenders should provide matchup problems for opposing defenses.
Defensive Game – Kaminsky definitely won’t be drafted for his ability to cause havoc on the defensive end. As a 7-footer with limited athleticism and strength, opposing centers will be able to back him down and bully him in the paint. Players like Kaminsky have gotten away with their defensive deficiencies in the past, but that doesn’t mean Kaminsky will become a defensive asset for NBA teams. He isn’t a dreadful defender, but he certainly isn’t a good one.
NBA Potential – Kaminsky will most likely become a solid role player in the NBA who can step in right away and help a team immediately. A big man who can shoot is always valuable, as it adds a different dynamic to a team’s offense. However, he doesn’t come with a tremendous amount of upside. It’s doubtful that Kaminsky’s game translates to the NBA to the point where he is even close to as dominant as he was in college.
NBA Player Comparison – The player that comes to mind the most while analyzing Frank Kaminsky is Kelly Olynyk. Both big men can extend their range out to the three point line, and they are capable scorers off the dribble, too. Olynyk was drafted 13th overall by the Boston Celtics in 2013, which is right around where Kaminsky is projected to get drafted in 2015. Olynyk is a young player for Boston to develop moving forwards, yet he isn’t necessarily a building block or star player of the future. Kaminsky figures to have a very similar role for whichever franchise drafts him next week.
