Kentucky’s Malik Monk reacts to his go-ahead three-pointer against North Carolina (Getty)
Kentucky freshman guard Malik Monk has been one of the best players in the country to this point in the season, averaging 21.9 points, 2.4 rebounds and 2.4 assists per game. Through 11 games Monk, a native of Lepanto, Arkansas, is shooting 50.3 percent from the field and 44.2 percent from beyond the three-point line, leading the Wildcats in both scoring and three-point percentage.
As a result, a player many projected to be a “one-and-done” player at the college level has seen his NBA Draft projections improve. It should be noted that no decision has been made in regards to the 2017 NBA Draft, but given his skill level and productivity to this point, Monk will certainly be discussed regularly over the next few months.
DraftExpress.com’s Jonathan Givony ranks Monk fifth among the top 100 prospects who will be eligible for the 2017 NBA Draft, and he’s ranked the best NBA prospect in the SEC. As for NBADraft.net, Monk is ranked tenth on Aran Smith’s list of the Top 100 prospects, and ESPN.com’s Chad Ford ranks Monk eighth among his list of the top 100 prospects.
Monk, who’s coming off of a 47-point explosion in Kentucky’s win over North Carolina, is listed as being 6-foot-3, 185 pounds by Kentucky. Part of the task NBA scouts and executives are faced with in evaluating Monk is projecting where he will play at the next level. While currently being used off the ball by Kentucky head coach John Calipari (fellow freshman De’Aaron Fox is the point guard), Monk’s size may be better suited for the point than the two-guard at the NBA level.
Below are strengths and weaknesses videos on Monk produced by DraftExpress just before the start of the college basketball season.
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Kentucky-Louisville Score, Stats & Highlights
Louisville ended their four-game losing streak in the rivalry, with Quentin Snider leading all scorers with 22 points.
Raphielle Johnson is a Heavy contributor and can be followed on Twitter at @raphiellej. He was formerly a college basketball contributor for NBCSports.com.December 21, 2016 8:16 pm
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