NBA Draft 2013: Mike Muscala

Photo Credit: Matthew O

The Houston Rockets do not currently have a first round pick in the 2013 draft. Rockets GM Daryl Morey has plenty (Thomas Robinson, Jeremy Lin) he could trade to move up, but over his tenure as manager he has made the most of second round picks. Chase Budinger was the 44th pick, Carl Landry was drafted as the 31st overall pick, and current Rockets starter Chandler Parsons was the 38th pick in the 2011 NBA Draft.

The only pick the Rockets currently have is the 34th pick, or the 4th pick in the second round. Here is a breakdown of Mike Muscala who has been projected to be selected at number 34.

Mike Muscala is 6′, 11″ and weighs 230 pounds. and was one of the best scoring and rebounding bigs in college. He played for the Bucknell Bison(Pennsylvanian) men’s basketball team for four seasons. He was the 2011 Patriot League Men’s Basketball Player of the Year after leading the Bison to an NCAA Tournament appearance. In addition, he was named to the First Team All-Patriot League and AP All-American Honorable Mention in 2010-2011. He was a 2012–13 Academic All-America selection. He was also a 2012–13 Senior CLASS Award finalist. Muscala also earned more hardware in 2013 as he won the 2013 Patriot League Player of the Year, Defensive Player of the Year, and First-Team All Conference honors. During his 2012–13 campaign, Muscala also become Bucknell’s all-time leading scorer surpassing Al Leslie’s 32 year record.

THE PROS:

Stellar ability to get to the free throw line.
Makes the free throws
Last season of college was second best rebounder in the country
Cuts and moves without basketball very well

THE CONS:

Needs to bulk up
Post game needs work
Omer Asik clone