NBA Draft Big Board 1.0: Cunningham, Mobley, Suggs, And The Best Of The Rest
By Evan Wheeler
12. Corey Kispert, F, Gonzaga
Measurables: 6-foot-7, 220 pounds, 6-foot-8 wingspan
Class: Senior
Age: 22
Mike’s Ranking: 12
Evan’s Ranking: 11
Like Baylor’s Davion Mitchell, Corey Kispert enjoyed a rise up the draft boards after returning to Spokane for his Senior season and helping Gonzaga make it to the National Championship game. Many view him as just an elite shooter, there’s a legitimate argument for him being the best marksman in this class backed by his insane 67.4 true shooting percentage this past season.
I also believe more in Kispert’s offensive versatility believe he can do more than just spot-up for three’s. He’s much better at shooting off of the dribble and creating his own shot than he gets credit for, reminding a lot of two-time NBA champion Mike Miller.
Continuing to deconstruct the idea that Kispert is just a shooter is the ability he’s shown as a defender, he is by no means a defensive liability. His defensive awareness and underrated athleticism will allow teams to have confidence in the capability he will have to defend most wings and some guards. Kispert may not have the biggest upside in this draft, but he should be a quality pro at the very least for the next decade.