Former USC Forward Nikola Vucevic has been selected 16th overall by the Philadelphia 76ers in the 2011 NBA Draft.
Vucevic received a lot of harsh criticism after declaring early for the draft when he received initial projections as a late-second round pick, but he has worked his way with strong combine performances and more familiarity with NBA executives.
Not many players can say that they went from virtual unknown to mid-first round pick like Vucevic can. Coming out of high school at Stone Ridge Prep in Simi Valley, Calif., Vucevic only received three scholarship offers from USC, Hawaii and Nevada. After signing with the Trojans, Vucevic seldom played as a freshman, averaging a measly 2.6 points and 2.7 rebounds in 11.0 minutes per game. This all while playing behind Current Chicago Bull and former Trojan Taj Gibson.
After Taj Gibson decided to declare early for the 2009 NBA Draft, Vucevic emerged as a future star in the Pac-10 Conference. During his sophomore season, Vucevic averaged 17.1 points per game and a conference-leading 9.4 rebounds per game. His efforts earned him the Pacific-10 Conference's Most Improved Player award.
It was during his junior season that Vucevic started being recognized as a future NBA player. Critique of Vucevic's inability to defend bigger players disappeared after he held his own against fellow NBA draft picks Marcus Morris, Markieff Morris, Derrick Williams, Tristan Thompson and Tobias Harris.
Vucevic ended the 2010-2011 season averaging 10.7 points per game and 10.3 rebounds per game, earning him a spot on the Pacific-10 Conference First-Team. He also displayed his versatility, shooting a solid .349 (29-83) from 3-pt range and 76 percent (123-163) from the free-throw line. It was this versatility that drew the eye of the NBA General Managers during combine and private workouts.
At the combine, Vucevic was the tallest player (6-foot-11 3/4) in the attendance, weighed the second most (259.8 pounds), while holding only 6.1 percent body fat and had the best standing reach (9-4 1/2). All this despite his combine-worst 25 inch vertical leap.
With the 76ers, Vucevic should be able to make an immediate impact as a strong interior player off the 76ers bench. While he has the potential to develop into one of the most versatile big men in the NBA, he is more likely destined to be a solid player, contributing on both sides of the court.
As a result of a possible NBA lockout, Vucevic will not learn of his fate until NBA executives and players reach an agreement regarding the expiring Collective Bargaining Agreement.
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