2018 NBA Mock Draft 1.0

MADRID, SPAIN - NOVEMBER 12: Luka Doncic, #7 guard of Real Madrid during the Liga Endesa game between Real Madrid and FCB Lassa at Wizink Center on November 12, 2017 in Madrid, Spain. (Photo by Sonia Canada/Getty Images)
MADRID, SPAIN - NOVEMBER 12: Luka Doncic, #7 guard of Real Madrid during the Liga Endesa game between Real Madrid and FCB Lassa at Wizink Center on November 12, 2017 in Madrid, Spain. (Photo by Sonia Canada/Getty Images)
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TULSA, OK – MARCH 17: Chimezie Metu #4 of the USC Trojans reacts after a play in the second half against the Southern Methodist Mustangs during the first round of the 2017 NCAA Men’s Basketball Tournament at BOK Center on March 17, 2017 in Tulsa, Oklahoma. (Photo by Ronald Martinez/Getty Images)
TULSA, OK – MARCH 17: Chimezie Metu #4 of the USC Trojans reacts after a play in the second half against the Southern Methodist Mustangs during the first round of the 2017 NCAA Men’s Basketball Tournament at BOK Center on March 17, 2017 in Tulsa, Oklahoma. (Photo by Ronald Martinez/Getty Images)

A strong start to the season — after a strong tournament run last March — could send Metu shooting up draft boards.

At 6-foot-9 with a 6-foot-11 wingspan, Metu doesn’t have the greatest length for his position. He’s an explosive athlete who moves well laterally, though, which helps negate some of those concerns on both sides of the ball.

A lot of Metu’s production came in the post last season, where push shots and at-rim finishing made up the majority of his arsenal. Now he’s starting to show some more advanced skills in the post, as well as a reliable mid-range shot that could eventually extend beyond the 3-point line regularly. Those are both things scouts were looking for coming into the season.