NBA Draft: Potential Sleepers Selected in the Second Round

#32 Montrezl Harrell (Louisville), PF – Houston Rockets

Mark Konezny-USA TODAY Sports

After a stellar senior season at Louisville that saw the hulking big man make major strides in his game, many in college basketball circles felt that Montrezl Harrell had done enough to warrant a first round selection in the NBA Draft. While maintaining his physical dominance on the inside, Harrell was able to add the (inconsistent) threat of a mid-range jump shot. By no means will Harrell be a “stretch four” for anyone’s basketball team, but the potential that he showed by proving that he was willing develop offensively was promising.

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The only explanation for Harrell’s slip into the second round is his lack of ideal size for the power forward position. While Louisville rounded him up to a respectable 6’8 in their media guide, the NBA Draft Combine revealed him to be a half of an inch shorter. Half inches can sometimes be a crushing blow to a fledgling first rounder’s chance of cracking the top 30.

What we know Harrell can bring to the table is relentless energy and effort off the bench for a team that can be less than inspired on defense at times. Pairing Harrell with Dwight Howard has the makings of a nightmarish experience for opposing teams, and it will be sure to give Harrell an opportunity to be a devastating prowler on the offensive glass.

There may not be much star potential here, but Harrell has the opportunity to make a lot of money in this league as a valued role player off a contending team’s bench.