2016 Houston Rockets Draft Prospect Series: Skal Labissiere, Kentucky

The Houston Rockets enter the upcoming 2016 NBA Draft without a top draft pick by virtue of making the post season. Unfettered the Rockets still hope to nab a star prospect with the potential to effect immediate results.  Over the next month SCS will look at the draft prospects   with a view to team fit and what moves would need to occur to get that pick. Is Skal Labissiere a prospect worth trading for?

Draft Prospect:

Specifics:

• Height: 7’0″
• Weight: 216
• Country: Haiti, Port au Prince
• Position: Power Forward/Center
• Age: 20
• Reach: 8’10”
• Wingspan: 7’3
• College or Pro League: Kentucky, Freshman
• Stat line: 36 Games, 6.6 Points Per Game, 3.1 Rebounds Per Game, 0.3 Assists Per Game

Current Rank:

ESPN Chad Ford: 11th

Draft Express: 8th

NBA Scott Howard Cooper: 10th

Bleacher Report: 25th

The Skills:

Ford lists Skal Labissiere assets as shooting, defending and size.

Given Ford’s list of pluses Labissiere covers off pretty much all the check boxes. His shooting touch for his size surprised may. With the versatility to stretch the floor and also score in the paint he’ll get lots of looks in the top part of the draft.

The main issue with the young Haitian is all based on his desire. Both Ford and Howard-Cooper had him ranked top 3 to start the season (some said he could be the top draft pick), but then a lack luster start to the college campaign found his stock plummeting as he got pushed around in the paint.

Now he ranks anywhere from a high of 8th to a low of 25th! That’s a wide margin which speaks to how much his commitment to play is in question.

Skal Labissiere practicing for NBA 3-point contest. Kid has a silky jumper pic.twitter.com/YWVpAdvXMF

— Chad Ford (@chadfordinsider) May 12, 2016

Honors and Awards:

As per Wikipedia:

• Jordan Brand Classic All-American (2015)
• Nike Hoop Summit (2015)
• First-team Parade All-American (2015)

The Fit:

Simply put the young Haitian isn’t worth taking the risk, so it’s not work considering him as part of the Rockets roster.

Final Thoughts

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As Howard-Cooper succinctly opines HIGH RISK – HIGH REWARD. Ultimately, his interview and work outs will determine where he lands. Given there are teams in the draft who already have solid cores and or a glut of front court talent (Raptors, Kings) they might take the risk to go after this project. Milwaukee love length as well, so let’s see if Jason Kidd wants to add more.

The Rockets for their part can’t afford to trade assets on a risk, so don’t expect Morey to go all in for Labissiere.

Be sure to check out our continuing Draft Prospect Series and our Year End Player Reviews!

Next: Houston Rockets SCS Roundtable Part 1

Next: Houston Rockets SCS Roundtable Part 2

Next: Houston Rockets SCS Roundtable Part 3

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