My Type of Player, Gani Lawal

Playing next to Derrick Favors at Georgia Tech last season could have been very harmful for Gani Lawal's draft stock.  He could have looked like a second tier prospect sharing the stage with the young phenom.  He could have lost touches, put up lower numbers and faded into obscurity (also known as a Senior season in college) but no, Lawal excelled and looked like the better player for much of the season.  He played at a consistant high level all year long and proved to NBA scouts that he has a bright NBA future.

Lawal is undersized at 6,8 and this will keep him from becoming a top 10 selection but in this draft loaded with power forwards he is a sleeper who could be a steal later in the first or early second round.  He also lacks the insane explosiveness of his former teammate Favors but he has enough lift to be affective and is more efficient and better skilled offensively at this point.

His offensive game consists mostly of post ups, dunks, put backs and the occasional jumper but it remains to be seen whether or not he can stretch is range out to 15 feet and become a complete power forward.

His lack of height limits his shot blocking ability but his overall defense is very good and he gets into position and understands team defense.  He has a workman-like attitude and projects as a glue type team player who plays D, rebounds and holds his team together with his hustle.

These positive traits remind me of two players who dropped to the second round of the draft but have become very good players, Paul Milsap and Carlos Boozer.  Like these two, Lawal will likely come in with a chip on his shoulder and could work his way into a productive role, even in his rookie year.  My projection is that Gani Lawal hears his name called in the first round on Thursday night, possibly as high as #20 overall to the Spurs.