NBA draft analyst ‘super impressed’ by KU Jayhawks player during workout in California
Kansas junior guard Christian Braun, who is in the process of deciding whether to return to college for his senior year or keep his name in the June 23 NBA Draft, has fared well in individual workouts this week in Santa Barbara, California.
“Super impressed w/ his strength, explosiveness + shooting touch (career 38% from 3). The national champion is one of the best defenders in the draft. Instant-contributor who plays a winning style,” Mike Schmitz of ESPN.com wrote Wednesday on Twitter after scouting one of Braun’s practice sessions.
Braun has been training in California the past couple weeks with Baylor’s Kendall Brown, Santa Clara’s Jalen Williams, Ohio State’s EJ Liddell, Missouri State’s Isiaih Mosley and others.
“Loved breaking down film with Christian Braun,” Schmitz added on Twitter. “He is ultra confident with an incredibly impressive basketball IQ, especially defensively. Can really talk the game. Plays with an edge. Will impress during pre-draft (workouts with NBA personnel).”
Braun, a 6-foot-7, 215-pound graduate of Blue Valley Northwest High School, will attend the NBA Combine May 18-22 in Chicago. He’ll be joined by KU’s Ochai Agbaji, who has decided to begin his pro career rather than return to KU for a fifth season. Agbaji has been working out in Phoenix, Arizona with other college players.
Schmitz wrote Wednesday that Braun is a “projected first-rounder” entering the Combine.
Braun is considered a first-rounder by ESPN.com’s Schmitz and Jonathan Givony (No. 28 to Golden State), CBSsports.com’s David Cobb (No. 25 to San Antonio) and NBCsports.com’s Tyler Byrum and Chase Hughes (No. 30 to Oklahoma City).
Agbaj, 6-8 out of Oak Park High School, is projected as a lottery pick by CBSsports.com’s Cobb (No. 7 to Sacramento), ESPN.com’s Schmitz and Givony (No. 14 to Cleveland) and NBCsports.com’s Byrum and Hughes (also No. 14 to Cleveland).
KU’s Jalen Wilson, David McCormack, Remy Martin and Jalen Coleman-Lands have not yet appeared in any of the mock drafts. Wilson and McCormack will attend the NBA G League Elite Camp on May 16-17 in Chicago. Normally, some players from the G League camp are asked to remain for the Combine.
Gradey Dick to be drafted in 2023?
Kansas freshman-to-be Gradey Dick is projected to be a first-round pick in the 2023 NBA Draft, according to an ESPN.com mock draft released Saturday. Dick, a 6-foot-7 shooting guard out of Sunrise Christian Academy in Bel Aire, Kansas, was projected No. 18 overall by Minnesota, according to the early mock draft of Givony and Schmitz.
“Dick fits an obvious mold the NBA is actively seeking as a 6-7 wing who made 47% of his three-pointers this season, on significant volume, per Synergy,” wrote NBA draft analyst Givony.
“The Jayhawk-to-be shows the ability to rise up beautifully off screens, pull up in transition or execute step-backs in small doses, while being nearly automatic spacing the floors from the corner. While known for his jumper, he shows some ability to do more than that, as he has a good feel for the game and some explosiveness filling lanes in transition, attacking closeouts and going out of his area for rebounds on occasion. His defense improved significantly over his high school career, as he shows good activity, smarts and competitiveness, but he does have plenty to prove in this area with his thin frame and lack of length and physicality. Kansas hasn’t had a one-and-done player since Josh Jackson in 2017, so it remains to be seen how much of a fast track Dick will be on with the defending national champions.” Givony added.
