ARLINGTON, Texas — As a freshman, Shabazz Napier watched Kemba Walker lead one of the most unlikely title runs in college basketball history. Now, after shaking off the shadow of his former teammate by leading UConn to another unexpected national championship, Napier will try to follow Walker’s lead once more.
Napier, who turns 23 in July, may not be as coveted as the Kentucky freshmen he helped defeat at AT&T Stadium on Monday night, but the senior boosted his NBA Draft stock with an incredible NCAA Tournament, displaying tremendous leadership and much-improved decision-making, while earning the Most Outstanding Player award.
Richard Hamilton, who earned the award while leading the Huskies to their first national championship in 1999, said Napier “definitely” can be a starting point guard in the NBA.
“You want your point guard to lead and he does that,” Hamilton said while celebrating with the team on the court. “Can’t nobody steal the ball from him, he makes big shots, he makes big plays. … This puts him right up there with all the great guards that have come through the University of Connecticut. They have a legacy of producing great guards and showing up at the right time, and he displayed it again.”
LeBron James was so impressed by Napier’s epic, all-around performance that he tweeted:
But there seems to be little chance Napier will be selected in the lottery. Though ready to step into a rotation quicker than many players that will be selected before him, Napier is currently projected as a late first-round or early second-round pick, with the 6-foot-1 guard’s upside limited by his age and size.
Napier, who averaged 18 points, 5.9 rebounds and 4.8 assists and 1.8 steals this season, might not have the ceiling of Walker, but at worst should be a solid backup on any team, with a comparable skill-set to D.J. Augustin.
“The difference is Napier will be put in a much better situation, whereas Augustin was drafted ninth and expected to carry the load for the Bobcats into the future,” said Jared Belson, the director of scouting for Draftsite.com. “Napier will likely be drafted around 22nd and go to a veteran-laden team. Given Napier’s experience, he’ll be able to be an impact player immediately.”
Napier’s perimeter defense, highlighted against Scottie Wilbekin and the Harrison twins in the Final Four, could quell concerns about his size, and his steady progression over four years and steadier play in a game’s biggest moments will likely entice numerous teams.
Napier improved from a 32.6 percent 3-pointer shooter as a freshman to 40.5 percent this season, and could get better with better shot selection in the NBA, no longer being responsible for kick-starting an offense on his own.
“If you think about his progression from his freshman year until now, if he makes the same ascension his rookie year, sky is the limit for him,” said Ray Allen, an 18-year NBA veteran. “For a long time, a lot was made of size. We’ve seen players come into the league break that stereotype. His heart is what’s going to be judged more than anything.”
Additional reporting by Zach Braziller