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2017 NBA Draft: Don’t sleep on Luke Kennard

By Joe Chambers

Mar 19, 2017; Greenville, SC, USA; Duke Blue Devils guard Luke Kennard (5) shoots the ball against South Carolina Gamecocks guard Sindarius Thornwell (0) during the first half in the second round of the 2017 NCAA Tournament at Bon Secours Wellness Arena. Mandatory Credit: Bob Donnan-USA TODAY Sports
Mar 19, 2017; Greenville, SC, USA; Duke Blue Devils guard Luke Kennard (5) shoots the ball against South Carolina Gamecocks guard Sindarius Thornwell (0) during the first half in the second round of the 2017 NCAA Tournament at Bon Secours Wellness Arena. Mandatory Credit: Bob Donnan-USA TODAY Sports /
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Luke Kennard was an outstanding player at Duke, although is being overlooked by bigger names at the top of the NBA Draft. Is he the biggest sleeper?

Luke Kennard had his best year at Duke University this past season. Kennard averaged 19.5 points, 5.1 rebounds and 2.5 assists per game. If nothing else, he’s certainly a prospect to keep an eye out for as the 2017 NBA Draft draws closer and closer.

An overall good team player that plays to win, oppose to personal statistics, is ultimately what could make him real special in the eyes of NBA scouts.

Apart from his excellent outside shooting (he shot 44% from three-point range this past season), one of his specialties is he can get to the rim with ease. His vision is what can make him a spectacular player in the long run, though.

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As our friends over at The Step Back put it, what really separates Kennard from other simple catch-and-shoot prospects is his ability to create his own offense. Which is an overlooked attribute in Kennard’s game.

[via The Step Back]

"Luke Kennard’s ability to create his own offense rather than rely on others while playing as a spot up shooter is a big part of why he’s moving up on our draft board. His jump shot off the dribble is a legitimate weapon and if the passing sticks, he could be a solid secondary creator or lead offenses off the bench in a combo guard role."

Coming out of the Duke system of uptempo basketball, Kennard should fit on any team as the NBA continues to move into a more up-and-down game.

Overall, and this may sound quite foreign, but I believe Luke Kennard can have a similar career arc as Isaiah Thomas in the NBA. He is obviously much taller and similarly left-handed, but has the ability to be a really good playmaker at the next level.

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At the moment, Kennard is being mocked anywhere from 10-20, but don’t be surprised to see him taken at some point in the lottery.