Kahlil Whitney with coach John Calipari (Jeff Houchin Photo)
ESPN NBA Draft analyst Mike Schmitz will be a big part of the network’s draft coverage tonight starting at 7:30. During a Tuesday media call, Schmitz speculated on the draft status of Kahlil Whitney. You remember Whitney, don’t you? He was a highly-touted five-star recruit who came to Kentucky projected as a lottery pick in the 2020 draft. Instead, he never seemed to fit his niche, started only eight of 18 games and then opted out in January when his playing time continued to decline.
He averaged 3.3 points and 1.7 rebounds per game while playing 12.9 minutes per game. He shot only 37 percent from the field and just 25 percent from 3-point range. He had almost twice as many turnovers — 15 — as assists — 8.
Whitney had enormous athleticism but his overall basketball skills were not the best. Yet Schmitz says not to be shocked if he is drafted.
“Physically he’s exactly what teams want on the wing. Just kind of with the very limited sample size at Kentucky and then given the circumstances of the pandemic, he’s been kind of a difficult guy, I think, for teams to evaluate just because they haven’t been able to see much of him,” Schmitz said.
Schmitz could see him being picked in the last 10-12 picks of the second round and then sign a two-way contract where he would be on a NBA roster but play also in the developmental league.
“I think, in their two-ways, they want guys, not the same for every team, but they want guys who have a chance to play in the NBA. They want guys who are kind of a swing, who could potentially be a contributor down the road, and I think he fits that mold,” Schmitz said. “Obviously former McDonald’s All-American and very accomplished player at the prep level.
“I would look for him kind of in that mold.”
