Today is the start of the money days at the NBA pre-draft camp in Orlando, Florida. The camp, which officially started Monday, starts the scrimmage games today and runs them through Friday.
And today is when players that look like they have no shot in hell to be drafted can change that perception. Just ask Daequan Cook, a draftee last year, who has openly said the scrimmages helped get him drafted.
And sadly, if former UK players Joe Crawford or Ramel Bradley want to be drafted into the NBA, they better light it up today. Crawford is rated as the 95th best prospect by NBADraft.net and isn’t rated in the top 100 by ESPN’s Andy Katz or other sites. Ramel Bradley doesn’t sniff the top 100 on any site.
So this camp is essential. Personally, I don’t think either former Wildcat will be drafted, barring a standout performance at this camp. I think Crawford has a good chance to be signed to a D-League team and if he works hard, could reach the top league just like Kelenna Azubuike did. Joe has the size, the ability to get to the basket and can shoot. He could be a rotation guy for an NBA team.
On the flip side, I think most view Bradley as a good college player. Here’s the knock on Ramel: he’s small, relegating him to only playing point guard in the NBA. I think most people would tell you that Bradley isn’t the most polished PG, which is hurting his chances. But Bradley is a fighter. He could make the D-League or definitely play overseas if he wanted to.
The NBA draft is two rounds of potential once you get outside the first 7 or 8 picks. Most of those picks will be busts – if history continues to repeat itself. Can Crawford and Bradley make the NBA? I put Joe’s odds a lot better than Ramel’s but wouldn’t bet on either. Both stood up and did some amazing things while at UK, especially the end of their senior years. So anything can happen.
But if they want to be drafted, they need to make their cases today.