SEC Basketball: Top players ready for NBA opportunities
By Ryan Summers
Mar 15, 2015; Nashville, TN, USA; Kentucky Wildcats forward Karl-Anthony Towns (12) keeps the ball away from Arkansas Razorbacks forward Jacorey Williams (22) during the second half of the SEC Conference championship game at Bridgestone Arena. Kentucky Wildcats defeated Arkansas Razorbacks 78-63. Mandatory Credit: Joshua Lindsey-USA TODAY Sports
Karl-Anthony Towns, 6-11, Forward, Kentucky
Towns is the favorite to go No.1 overall in the 2015 NBA Draft to the Minnesota Timberwolves and the argument is well supported. Teams at the next level are looking for big guys that can defend around the hoop, shoot at a high percentage and guide a team to victory. Towns can do all of that and then some.
In his only season at Kentucky, Towns averaged 10.3 points per game, shot 56 percent from the field and was second in the SEC in blocked shots.
According to Adam Zagoria of ZagsBlog the Timberwolves have already told Towns they plan to take him as the No.1 overall pick. Towns denied the reports.
Towns more than anything though knows how to get the ball in the net. In almost all key situations in big games last season for the Wildcats opponents could expect to have to guard Karl-Anthony in the low-post. I think the analysts are right that Towns will end up in Minnesota and I think he makes them an automatic playoff contender.
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Yes, Minnesota plays in the stacked Western Conference but they will now have three No.1 overall picks on their roster. That can only be a recipe for success in my mind.
Towns will join a young Minnesota team that is lacking a star big man. The Timberwolves have Anthony Bennett and rookie of the year Andrew Wiggins but need a center that can be more dominant than Gorgui Dieng.
With Towns in the starting five in Minnesota the Wolves could start Towns at center, Bennett at power forward, Wiggins at small forward, Zach LaVine at shooting guard and Ricky Rubio at the point.
It would be one of the youngest starting fives in the league but a team with a huge upside, especially with veteran leadership off the bench from Kevin Garnett – the namesake of the franchise.
Towns can transform any team in the NBA but will have the most impact in Minnesota.
If Towns falls to No.2 to the Los Angeles Lakers, look for Kobe and company to sell out every game in Staples Center with Towns, former UK Wildcat Julius Randle and a big-time free agent acquisition.
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