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NCAA Basketball: 5 sleeper prospects at the 2018 NBA Combine

By Brad Cavallaro

BOSTON, MA - MARCH 23: Jevon Carter #2 of the West Virginia Mountaineers plays defense during the first half against the Villanova Wildcats in the 2018 NCAA Men's Basketball Tournament East Regional at TD Garden on March 23, 2018 in Boston, Massachusetts. (Photo by Maddie Meyer/Getty Images)
BOSTON, MA - MARCH 23: Jevon Carter #2 of the West Virginia Mountaineers plays defense during the first half against the Villanova Wildcats in the 2018 NCAA Men's Basketball Tournament East Regional at TD Garden on March 23, 2018 in Boston, Massachusetts. (Photo by Maddie Meyer/Getty Images) /
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ST LOUIS, MO – MARCH 09: Head coach Bruce Pearl of Auburn Tigers gives instructions to his team against the Alabama Crimson Tide during the quarterfinals round of the 2018 SEC Basketball Tournament at Scottrade Center on March 9, 2018 in St Louis, Missouri. (Photo by Andy Lyons/Getty Images)
ST LOUIS, MO – MARCH 09: Head coach Bruce Pearl of Auburn Tigers gives instructions to his team against the Alabama Crimson Tide during the quarterfinals round of the 2018 SEC Basketball Tournament at Scottrade Center on March 9, 2018 in St Louis, Missouri. (Photo by Andy Lyons/Getty Images) /

Austin Wiley – C Auburn

Wiley may be the biggest sleeper in the entire draft process because his promising sophomore season was derailed by the FBI investigation. He did not play this season but was poised for a breakout campaign.

As a freshman, Wiley only played in the second half of the season because he reclassified after being in high school for the first semester. He averaged 8.8 ppg, 4.7 rpg, and 1.3 bpg in just over 18 minutes per contest.

Before this season, Wiley was an integral part of the USA U-19 team coached by John Calipari. He was one of the most impressive players on the team and averaged 10.3ppg and 10.9rpg in just 19.9 minutes per game at the tournament.

At 6’11” and with a 7’5” wingspan, Wiley has great size for the center position. He is an excellent interior scorer who also rebounds with great energy and can run the floor. His length should allow him to protect the rim and disrupt shots.

Wiley’s poor shooting (49% from the FT line) is his biggest detractor because purely back to the basket centers are a dying breed in the NBA. He should definitely be selected in the second round, but a strong NBA Draft Combine performance could lead to a team falling in love with him in the first.

Teams like Dallas, New York, and Philadelphia in the second round could use a back-up center and a team could easily buy a second round pick in order to draft the former Auburn big man. Wiley should have a great NBA Draft combine and could definitely stick in the NBA.

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