Presentation by national insurance agent Jeff Vukovich
NBA scouts, executives, and draft watchers are united in the belief that beauty could be in the eye of the beholder in June.
There is a lot of variation in this year's NBA Draft, as the draft pool is light with guaranteed star power but likely to have some strong contributors. One team's draft committee can be very different from another team's draft committee. The 11th pick is interchangeable with his 5th pick, for example.
As a result of Sunday's NBA Draft Lottery, the Chicago Bulls had the 11th pick. Mock drafts have linked him to a variety of players, including Tennessee shooter Dalton Knecht and University of Southern California point guard Isaiah Collier.
As the NBA Draft Combine continues this week at Wintrust Arena, NBC Sports Chicago spoke with several draft prospects connected to the Bulls. Here's what they had to say:
Isaiah Collier, G, University of Southern California
Collier said he has a meeting scheduled with the Bulls this week. No matter where he lands, he doesn't lack confidence.
“I still feel like I'm one of the best players in this draft,” he said. “So, my jump shot didn't fall as well as I wanted it to in college. But I've been working and my shot is falling, so I'm going to keep working on it. Over and over again, every day. “I’m in the gym,” taking thousands of shots every day. ”
Collier said he believes his basketball IQ and strength will take him to the next level. He said from his youth basketball playing days that he is a natural floor leader with the ability to see the floor well.
“It's a blessing to be here,” Collier said. “I’m enjoying the process.”
Collier cited Ja Morant, Anthony Edwards, and LeBron James as players he respects. Collier played with James' son Bronny at the University of Southern California, but a heart accident cut Bronny's season short, making it a tumultuous season for the Trojans.
“We definitely had to deal with a lot of adversity throughout the season,” Collier said. “I think it was a learning experience for me. I definitely learned a lot about the point guard position.”
And yes, Collier knows and is friends with Chicago Bears quarterback Caleb Williams from their days at the University of Southern California.
Kyle Filipowski, CF, Duke
The big man has been using Chicago as his training base in recent weeks, as his agency is based there. He has already thrown out the first pitch before the Chicago Cubs game at Wrigley Field.
“It was pretty cool,” Filipowski said.
Filipovski said his basketball IQ and shooting range are the biggest attributes that will lead him to the next level.
“Just being here training the last few weeks, I've gotten a lot more confident and it's gotten easier to hit the three-ball towards the NBA line,” he said.
In fact, Filipovski said former Bulbul player Lauri Markkanen is one of the current NBA players he looks up to, and that he tries to model his play to some degree. He also tries to emulate some of Nikola Jokic's game.
“I think what's so great is that these two players are so different from each other, and yet I have parts of each of their games,” Filipovski said. “I think that’s why I’m so unique and why teams can use me in so many different ways.”
Filipowski said he loves Chicago and got some advice from Duke University coach John Scheyer, who grew up in Northbrook.
“He told me that if I ever got into a bad situation, I could just tell him his name and he would help me,” Filipowski joked.
Cody Williams, F, Colorado
It's not often you hear draft candidates mention defensive-minded role players as one of the NBA players they're trying to model their game after. But it's that mindset that makes scouts so intrigued by Williams, the younger brother of Oklahoma City Thunder forward Jalen.
“I want to be an elite-level defender no matter what. That's my main focus,” Williams said after citing Minnesota Timberwolves forward Jaden McDaniels as a role model. “His length and defensive versatility allows him to pick full court and guard one through five. That's something I can definitely be elite at.”
“People don't realize the impact (McDaniels) has on the floor just by disrupting plays. I think it's interesting that not a lot of people are paying attention to defensive ends. I am a defender who has been blessed with the size and length of a player, so I would like to take advantage of that. ”
Williams grew up in a household full of Los Angeles Lakers fans and named Kobe Bryant as his favorite player. And he's grateful to have the influence and role model alongside his older brother within his league.
“I definitely feel like I have an advantage,” Williams said. “He gave me a lot of wisdom and knowledge throughout this whole process of how to get better and what he had done to get to where he is now. I'm taking all the knowledge that has given me and working hard to gain it so I can get better and attack every rep like it's a game. ”
Not a bad week for Cody. He's been interviewing for a future job with an NBA team this week while watching his older brother compete in his NBA playoffs at night.
“It's a once in a lifetime opportunity,” he said.
Dalton Knecht, GF, Tennessee
The 23-year-old, who is primarily known as a shooter, said he wants to use this week to prove his athleticism and versatility. In fact, his favorite player and one he has long admired is Kevin Durant.
“I want to prove that I can not only space the floor, but also score on all three levels,” Knecht said. “Playing above the rim helps and creates shots for me and my teammates.”
Knecht is also good at rebounding and pushing the ball upcourt himself, and said he hopes to show that in scrimmages scheduled for this week.
“Passing is also a strength,” he said.
Improving his defense and learning the faster pace of the NBA game are on his to-do list.
