Philadelphia 76ers Rewind: The 2013 NBA Draft and Nerlens Noel

The Selection of Michael Carter-Williams

Jun 27, 2013; Brooklyn, NY, USA; Michael Carter-Williams (Syracuse) reacts after being selected as the number eleven overall pick to the Philadelphia 76ers during the 2013 NBA Draft at the Barclays Center. Mandatory Credit: Jerry Lai-USA TODAY Sports

If you would have bet me $5,000 that Michael Carter-Williams would win the Rookie of the Year award when the 76ers drafted him at No. 11, I would have shaken your hand before the sentence was completed.

With Jrue Holiday being shipped to the New Orleans Pelicans for Noel and a 2015 first-round pick, the 76ers had a massive hole at point guard. It was obvious that the 76ers would go with a floor general at No. 11 but what one? I was hoping for Lehigh product C.J. McCollum but he wound up being selected at No. 10 by the Trail Blazers. However, with McCollum off the board, Michael Carter-Williams was the obvious selection.

At 6’6″, Carter-Williams provided great size and length at the point guard position. He was raw, but the potential was oozing. Who knew that this kid would become the 2014 NBA Rookie of the Year. Truth be told, Sam Hinkie probably did.