Hardaway: Wiseman, Towns would be ‘unbelievable’ pair
Prior to last week's NBA Draft lottery, Penny Hardaway expressed on record again his belief that James Wiseman deserves to be the No. 1 overall pick on Oct. 16.
The fact that the Minnesota Timberwolves won the right to select first only reinforced Hardaway's position. Hardaway coached Wiseman in high school (at East) and at Memphis, before the 7footer's ineligible ruling by the NCAA led to his decision to withdraw from school and begin preparing for the draft after playing in just three games.
“To me, he's the No. 1 pick overall and that's Minnesota,” Hardaway said Monday. “I think him and KAT (Karl-anthony Towns) can work really well together. They would be an unbelievable twosome, the way the league is going now. They're both mobile, they're both active. I think that would be a difference maker, having two rim protectors and guys that are highly skilled out on the perimeter.”
Towns, a two-time All Star, is in his fifth season in the NBA. At 6-11, 248 pounds, the former Kentucky star has career per-game averages of 22.7 points, 11.8 rebounds, 2.8 assists and 1.5 blocks, while also shooting 39.6 percent from three.
Wiseman (7-1, 240) also features a well-rounded game with elite-level potential across the board.
“He didn't get to play this year, and those are question marks,” Hardaway said. “(But) he's going to be the fastest guy on the floor. He's going to protect the rim. He's definitely an instant assist under the rim because of his athleticism. And he's going to work on getting his shot to where he can get out to the 3-point line and be a threat from out there.
“I'm not just saying that because I coached him. I just know the NBA and what they're looking for.”
Most updated mock drafts (including ESPN, Sports Illustrated, CBS Sports
and The Athletic) project Wiseman as the second or third overall pick, going to either the Golden State Warriors or the Charlotte Hornets.
The potential for two former Tigers to be taken inside the top 14 picks of this year's draft is also high, according to Hardaway.
“It would be huge for us to have (Precious Achiuwa) go in the top 14, top 15,” he said. “He was Player of the Year and Rookie of the Year in our conference, and we don't take that lightly. Especially with us finishing fifth, that shows the coaches in our league really respected his game and what he brought to the table. To me, he's a two-way player. He's a guy that's going to defend anybody on the floor (and) then, with his athleticism and how fast he is getting up and down the floor in transition. That's the league's game.”
Achiuwa, who averaged 15.8 points and 10.8 rebounds for the Tigers last season, could work his way into the top 10. ESPN'S Jonathan Givony has Achiuwa being drafted ninth overall by the Washington Wizards.
But most mock drafts have him closer to mid-first round range: 13th (CBS Sports), 16th (The Athletic), 17th (Sports Illustrated).