Can Villanova's Success Affect Philadelphia 76ers 2016 NBA Draft?

After handily beating one of the NCAA favorites to win it all, Villanova has moved into the Final Four. Will that success carry over into NBA draft night?

The Villanova University Wildcats pulled off an upset win over the Kansas University Jayhawks. The win was the fourth victory in a row for the South bracket’s runner up, and places the Wildcats a mere two victories away from winning the 2016 NCAA tournament.

Villanova is an accomplished NCAA basketball program with a history of contributing players to the NBA. Point guard Kyle Lowry, one of the key players for the Toronto Raptors, is a Villanova graduate. New Orleans Pelican Dante Cunningham, Oklahoma City Thunder Randy Foye, and Detriot Piston Darrun Hilliard are also Wildcat alumni.

However this year, heading into March Madness, the players from Villanova had been running under the radar. In fact, in the Sixer Sense Mock 2016 Draft Board, no Villanova players made it to the top 60 on the board. Even in the headlines today, March 27, 2016, national sports coverage continues to carry the message “Final Four matches Oklahoma star Buddy Hield and starless Villanova.” Starless? Come on…

Here we knew the wisdom of knowing that we didn’t know. Even as it was completed, the first draft board held a disclaimer that any pre-tournament draft board would be subject to change from NCAA tournament results. I believe that Villanova’s play so far has made a huge statement which would carry some weight in setting up the next board, or Mock 2016 Draft Board 2.0. So let’s do some quick homework on Villanova’s lineup shall we?

Shooting Guard Josh Hart – Junior

The Villanova University junior came up big in big games, none bigger than the upset win over Kansas. At 6′ 5″ and 205 pounds, junior small forward Josh Hart showed up when Nova needed him most, making a huge steal in the final minute to help the Wildcats (33-5) pull off the upset and end the Jayhawks’ 17-game winning streak. Hart scored 13 points for the Wildcats in the winning effort.

The star Junior is very likely the most NBA ready player on the team. He’s strong, athletic, and can work the boards. While he is smaller than a true NBA small forward, he projects nicely as a shooting guard in the NBA. He has an accurate shot from many spots on the floor, showing an ability to sink a mid-ranger or go to the paint. His offense needs some polish, but he can drive and score. He understands and practices proper spacing on the court, showing a zeal for attacking the boards for rebounds. He’s a second round prospect with first round upside if he declares this year, but the program is designed to produce four year prospects, which leads me to believe he will declare in the very strong 2017 NBA class.

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Center Daniel Ochefu – Senior

When the top seeded Kansas University Jayhawks were set to face the second seeded Villanova Wildcats, few expected the Wildcats to advance. But 10 points from big man and senior Daniel Ochefu, including a big jumper with 6:14 left, influenced the one opinion that mattered most – that of the scoreboard.

The outlook for the 6′ 11″ 245 pound Ochefu suggests that he will be in the NBA for a long time. He is a great learner and is extremely coachable, improving his game each season. He has a quick first step on offense and is an excellent passer from the post. On defense, he’s a solid rim protector and an above average rebounder. He needs to solidify his mid range shooting and cut down on the fouls, but he’s shown the ability to do both. Ochefu will be a second round talent, but again, you can’t teach 6’11. The senior averages 10.1 points per game, shoots 62 percent from the field and leads the team with 7.1 rebounds. He keeps the opposing team’s defense honest.

"“When you have a 5-man like Daniel Ochefu, who is as skilled as any of the guards, great decision-maker, ball handler, passer for his position, extremely skilled, usually the other guys are skilled. But when you have a guy like that at the 5 spot, you know you’ve got a chance to be pretty good.” – Villanova Head Coach Jim Wright"

The Kansas game was not the only showcase for the big man’s offensive prowess. Against the three-seed Miami, he scored 17 points on 7-of-11 shooting from the field. When opponents bring double teams, as Iowa and UNC Asheville tried, he ended up with four assists in each game. He is the type of player who takes what the defense gives him. While he is not projected to be a top center in the upcoming draft, he would make an incredible signing if the Sixers get a late second round pick or even sign him to the the 20 man roster on a one year deal. With so much obscurity over what the team will do with the current glut of top talent at the center position, there is a vacuum in the bench at that role. Ochefu would be perfectly suited to come in with his rim protection ala Nerlens Noel, or use his shot accuracy to pull defenses in and open up the perimeter and lanes for the wings. And he is a senior, which gives him that “age fit” that I suspect will be a quality the Philadelphia 76ers are seeking in this year’s draft class.

Forwad Kris Jenkins – Junior

Kris Jenkins is a 6′ 6″ 240 pound power forward for the Villanova Wildcats, but whose size probably projects more in line with a small forward position in the NBA. Jenkins is an accurate shooter, entering the NCAA tournament sweet sixteen round against against Miami making 37.4 percent beyond the arc, and hitting just under 50 percent from the floor. He hit national notariety when he drained a stephen-curry-esque 40 footer for three against Miami.

In the first half of the season, Jenkins averaged 12.2 points per game, shooting just 36.6 percent from the field and 29.3 percent on treys. But as the season wore on, he has delivered 16.3 points per contest, but most notably, poured in his shots at a 53.4 percent clip and 43.4 percent from behind the arc. He even scored in double figures in 19 of those matchups. Jenkins biggest drawback has been his non-basketball sweet tooth, a factor which has drawn him to the Villanova program.

"“What really attracted me was just how he (coach Wright) was really willing to take a chance on a kid who coming out of high school was just a fat kid. He gave me a plan that I thought could change my entire life, could not only make me the best basketball player, but the best person. I’m still in the process of continuing to get better and so far it’s been good to me.” – Kris Jenkins on his election to join Villanova"

Similar to Hart, Jenkins’ NBA draft stock this year is relatively undetermined. Villanova tends to run a four year program, and the odds are relatively stacked that Jenkins will remain for his senior year, declaring alongside teammate Hart for the 2017 NBA draft.

Next: Will Philadelphia 76ers NBA Draft Selections Hinge Upon Age?

Villanova’s success will certainly place their players into the discussion by NBA teams in the upcoming draft. While some of the true gems of this team will likely be part of future NBA draft discussions, the qualities of center Daniel Ochefu are quite intriguing. If the Philalelphia 76ers have the opportunity to bolster their five position while they sort through who stays and who goes going forward, Ochefu would be an incredible find to grow on the bench with the team moving forward.

Can Villanova’s Success Affect Philadelphia 76ers 2016 NBA Draft?

By Bret Stuter | Mar 27, 2016

After handily beating one of the NCAA favorites to win it all, Villanova has moved into the Final Four. Will that success carry over into NBA draft night?