Hornets select Frank Kaminsky with No. 9 pick in 2015 NBA draft
The Charlotte Hornets selected Wisconsin big man Frank Kaminsky with the No. 9 pick in the 2015 NBA draft on Thursday night at the Barclays Center.
Kaminsky was the unanimous selection for the 2015 national college player of the year award and led the Badgers to the NCAA championship game. Despite Kaminsky's 21 points and 12 rebounds, Wisconsin fell 68-63 to Duke.
In his senior season, Kaminsky started all 39 games and averaged 18.8 points, 8.2 rebounds and 2.6 assists per game. The Badgers captured the Big 10 season and tournament titles.
Kaminsky helped lead Wisconsin to a national semifinal upset of undefeated Kentucky.
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Kaminsky was namedSports Illustrated's player of the year in March.
Strengths: Kaminsky is a versatile offensive player with the best inside-outside game in the draft. An ideal stretch big at the four or five, Kaminsky shot 41.6% from three-point range during his senior season. His shot allows him to pump-fake and drive by opponents and he has adequate foot speed and ball-handling needed to get to the rim. He boasts an underrated post game with excellent footwork and an array of moves. His shot selection is second to none, as he primarily shoots from just above the right elbow beyond the three-point line or drives in to finish at the rim. He rarely takes a long two or a bad shot in general.
Weaknesses: Simply put, Kaminsky lacks ideal strength and athleticism. He’s not going to be able to run with elite athletes in the NBA and he isn’t a game-changer on defense. He does pose excellent awareness on that end and he was a better rim protector than Jahlil Okafor, for example, but he could struggle against bigger NBA centers. On offense, double teams give him issues in the post and he will occasionally struggle to find the open man. Kaminsky would benefit from a year or two of NBA physical conditioning so he’s able to guard stronger bigs down low.
