There seems little doubt that Tyrese Maxey is going to be a first-round NBA draft pick, probably even a lottery pick based on what many mock drafts now have.
The draft is still scheduled for June 25 despite the current suspension of the NBA season. Various reports indicate NBA teams will be using Skype interviews with players and scouting work already done to evaluate who to draft since redraft workouts likely are not going to be held.
Maxey averaged 14 points per game for UK — tied for second on the team with Nick Richards — along with 4.3 rebounds. He was second on the team with 98 assists and 27 steals. However, he shot only 42.7 percent overall and just 29.2 percent (33 of 113) from 3-point range. He did get to the foul line 120 times and hit 83.3 percent.
The 6-3, 195-pound Maxey won’t turn 20 until November — a plus with NBA scouts. He has a 6-6 wingspan and standing reach of 8-3 1/2
NBAdraftroom.com lists his weaknesses as being an average defender and not having an “ideal” shooting form but like his scoring instincts, mid-range game, quickness in the open court and creativity in finishing at the rim. His best play came in some of UK’s biggest games, another big plus with NBA scouts.
Former UK All-American Kenny Walker, a first-round pick in the 1989 draft by the New York Knicks, believes Maxey has “great potential” at the next level — but has some questions.
“I am little concerned with his size as well but he is a good athlete for that size. Not as good as (former Wildcats) John Wall or Eric Bledsoe, though,” Walker said. “However, he has heart and tenacity that are hard to measure and I think will really help him at the next level.”
CBSsports.com is a believer in Maxey as well and had him No. 5 in its March mock draft. Here’s what Kyle Boone wrote: “Put the ball in Tyrese Maxey’s hands and let him cook. He’s a dangerous straight-line driver who can get to the rim at will and has good touch when he arrives. Additionally, he’s a really good perimeter defender who plays with relentlessness.”
Boone did say the only warning sign was his 29 percent shooting from 3-point range but has no worries about his shooting form like some others apparently do.
ESPN analyst Jay Bilas normally is involved in NBA draft coverage. He watched Maxey numerous times this year and likes what he saw.
“He plays so hard and started finishing so much better though contact as the year went on,” Bilas said. “Drives to his right a lot but has got to keep handling contact. Maxey certainly has a lot of ability that you can’t teach.”
Another ESPN analyst, Jimmy Dykes, describes Maxey as a “hooper” who just makes plays.
“He doesn’t shoot the 3-ball consistently but he gets the ball in the basket. NBA guys love his potential but there was no let-up on him from Calipari. He was relentless on him,” Dykes said. “His eyes were on Maxey all the time.
“He is brutally honest with his guys and there are no places to hide for you. He’s going to be honest about your deficiencies. He holds those guys, including Maxey, accountable every day and never lets you off the hook. That helps prepare them really well for the next level.”
Zachary Cohen of Forbes.com certainly thinks Maxey is going to do very well in the NBA. He noted that opponents scored just .273 points per possession in isolation situations with Maxey, a sign NBA scouts like.
“Maxey also improved as a pick-and-roll defender as the year progressed. That’s an action he’ll see more often than he can possibly imagine in the pros, so that improvement was essentially a requirement,” Cohen wrote.
Cohen even thinks for short stretches Maxey could guard a NBA small forward if needed.
“Guys that care as much as he does can typically play up a little. His motor is relentless,” Cohen wrote. “Maxey is the ideal player for a team that is looking for somebody that can guard point guards but doesn’t require a high usage rate in order to make his mark on offense.”
Unfortunately Maxey didn’t get to make his mark in March Madness where I think his fearlessness would have been perfect for the way John Calipari likes his team to play in the postseason.
However, he’ll get to display that trait next season in the NBA and don’t be surprised if he’s not the next big star from Kentucky.
