The Sixer Sense
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Should Philadelphia 76ers Consider Center In 2017 NBA Draft?

By Bret Stuter

Dec 14, 2016; Philadelphia, PA, USA; Philadelphia 76ers center Joel Embiid (21) and forward Nerlens Noel (M) and forward Ben Simmons (R) during a timeout in the second half against the Toronto Raptors at Wells Fargo Center. The Toronto Raptors won 123.114. Mandatory Credit: Bill Streicher-USA TODAY Sports
Dec 14, 2016; Philadelphia, PA, USA; Philadelphia 76ers center Joel Embiid (21) and forward Nerlens Noel (M) and forward Ben Simmons (R) during a timeout in the second half against the Toronto Raptors at Wells Fargo Center. The Toronto Raptors won 123.114. Mandatory Credit: Bill Streicher-USA TODAY Sports /
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Dec 19, 2016; Milwaukee, WI, USA; Marquette Golden Eagles center Luke Fischer (40) during the game against the St Francis Red Flash at BMO Harris Bradley Center. Mandatory Credit: Jeff Hanisch-USA TODAY Sports
Dec 19, 2016; Milwaukee, WI, USA; Marquette Golden Eagles center Luke Fischer (40) during the game against the St Francis Red Flash at BMO Harris Bradley Center. Mandatory Credit: Jeff Hanisch-USA TODAY Sports /

3. C Luke Fischer, Marquette

Height/Weight: 6-11, 250 lbs

One of the true pluses about Marquette center Luke Fischer is the fact that he is a true senior. Of course one of the detractors about Marquette center Luke Fischer is the fact that he is a senior. As college basketball has descended to the one and done college athlete, the players who remain have the advantage of maturity in both mindset and in physicality. However, if the court production does not keep pace, flags about the player can arise.

Fortunately for Fischer, he has improved.  His height and weight are at a good place for a college senior, and as he has grown so too has his shot arsenal.  He shows some offense, scoring as many as 22 points in 19 minutes on nine of ten shooting. Cursed by timidity in his sophomore and junior seasons, senior Fischer appears to be willing to step up and become more active in the game tempo, as well as a focus for his team.

While Fischer is most comfortable with his back to the basket, he has made serious strides in taking the ball off a cutter or while trailing in transition. He continues to work on his jumper and mid range shots overall.

Defensively, Fischer is better closer to the basket than away. Fischer has good strength and size, but seems to struggle with focus and intensity at times. Throughout his senior year, his consistency will be the major question. So far this season, he has shown signs of improvement across the board. While he is likely to remain on the board well into the second round, he could be significantly undervalued if he falls too far.