ASU Basketball: Carson/Bachynski Prepping for NBA Draft
By Mike Slifer
: Rick Scuteri-USA TODAY Sports
Outgoing ASU basketball players Jordan Bachynski and Jahii Carson are making preparations for possibly playing in the NBA.
Carson, who still had eligibility to play at ASU, is a speedy point guard who can get to the rim. He’s got lightning quickness and a ridiculous first step that makes him difficult to defend. That same quickness is an asset as a defender as well.
The only knock on Carson, of course, is his size. At the recent NBA combine, he measured in at 5’10”. In the NBA, that’s really small. Other players have made it and had good careers being under six feet, but it’s not easy. Carson will have to get very good at everything; shooting (long and medium range), passing (assists) and defense if he wants to be an impact player in the NBA.
Hopefully, all the naysayers and trepidation of NBA executives will be fuel for Jahii. He’s had plenty of doubters his whole career. But hunger for relevance can drive a kid like Carson to overcome obstacles and surpass expectations.
Bachynski is in a slightly different situation. He knows, and NBA scouts know, that he is a role player. For now, anyways, he is projected to be a backup center for somebody. At 7’2″ and a decent athlete, NBA teams absolutely must take a look at him. His skills, along with his character are in demand.
Bachynski probably would like to be more than a backup someday. But right now, it’s a safe bet that he is aware that he is not the best center available and will not command a high draft pick with a huge contract. He too, must play with a chip on his shoulder.
Devils in Detail believes that both players will land on an NBA roster, with Carson probably being drafted in the second round.