Tyrese Maxey (Jeff Houchin Photo)
Jay Bilas is confident Kentucky guard Tyrese Maxey is going to be a lottery pick in next week’s NBA draft. The ESPN college basketball analyst could see Maxey going as high as 10th or as low as 15th.
Why does Bilas feel he’s a certain lottery pick?
“Because of his quickness, his ability to attack in transition, good ballhandler, good shooter. His (shooting) mechanics need to change a little but not much. Shoots the ball a little flat,” Bilas said.
Bilas said he watched Maxey’s recent pro day workout and could tell he had been working on his shooting mechanics.
Bilas says Maxey also has history working for him.
“There have been several Kentucky guards almost fare better as pros than college players,” Bilas said Thursday during an ESPN NBA draft Zoom call. “That weighs in his favor and makes people think.
“He has a ton of ability and competes defensively, too. I like him very much but I don’t see him going in the top 10. I think he will be just outside (the top 10).”
Maxey, age 20, averaged 14 points, 4.3 rebounds and 3.2 assists per game while shooting 42.7 percent from the field and starting 28 of 31 games at UK last season. He shot over 50 percent from the field in 11 games but also had four games with two or fewer field goals.
