With the NBA Draft officially upon us, it's time for college basketball fans around the nation to lament the loss of some of their favorite players as they continue to support them on the highest level of hoops. Big Blue Nation is used to this process, but that doesn't make it any easier.
With both Jayden Quaintance and Otega Oweh headed to the promised land, I'm here to level a pair of predictions as to where each of these guys will end up. Ugonna Onyenso, while also a former Cat, is too far removed from Lexington to be of any interest here. BBN wishes him the best!
But leaving as a Wildcat once and for all and visiting two additional schools between your time in the blue and white and in the league are two very different things. Let's dive in, as far as our guys are concerned:
Jayden Quaintance - Philadelphia 76ers (Pick 22)
Jayden Quaintance, who was recently mocked to the Boston Celtics at the 27th pick by ESPN, has commonly been cast between the high teens and late 20's. In spite of his one-of-one defensive and athletic potential, Quaintance's lingering knee issues have tanked his draft stock as of late.
Still, he's far too young and talented in equal parts to fall beyond the first round; in fact, I think he has the potential to rise to the 22nd pick, where the Philadelphia 76ers will be waiting.
As Philly continues to push their competitive rebuild on the backs of Tyrese Maxey and V.J. Edgecombe, frontcourt depth would look to become a natural priority. Especially as Joel Embiid ages and battles consistent injuries, it looks like high time for the Sixers to take a big.
Quaintance, while a definite risk, would be by far and away the most promising prospect on paper likely to be around at this pick. Hit, and he's a plug-n-play anchor that raises the team's ceiling upon arrival.
Miss? That outcome seems self-explanatory, but I like the Sixers to take that risk.
Otega Oweh - Chicago Bulls (Pick 56)
Two-year Lexington legend (no pun intended) Otega Oweh has been all over the board when it comes to draft projections; some folks have him falling out of favor entirely.
Yet, I can't fathom a guy who averaged nearly 20 points and two steals in back-to-back years against SEC competition going unclaimed on draft night. Even if it's a late snag, I'm going to guess that the Chicago Bulls are Oweh's eventual suitors.
With the likes of Anfernee Simons, Josh Giddey, and Matas Buzelis, athletic depth would make sense for a Bulls team working toward a more consistent rotation. The scoring and playmaking heights are there, and Oweh would bring a reliable measure of defense and downhill bucket-getting off the bench.
Add his relative veteran status, at 23 years old, and you've got a low-risk selection at the end of the second round that's hard not to like for Chicago. If Oweh goes anywhere, this one makes the most sense to me.
Then again, I'm not afraid to admit that this is the opinion a Kentucky fan that wants both of these guys to do well. Along with the rest of the BBN, I just hope both of our dudes find the new home they're looking for on draft night.
With the first round kicking off tomorrow night, we won't have to wait long now to find out.
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