NBA Draft Profile: Michael Kidd-Gilchrist

By Kels Dayton
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Updated: May 17, 2012

By: Kels Dayton

MICHAEL KIDD-GILCHRIST

6-7, 232 lbs.

Hometown: Somerdale, NJ

School: Kentucky

Class: Freshman

Andy Lyons/Getty Images

STRENGTHS: Kidd-Gilchrist was Kentucky’s other stud freshman, averaging 11.8 points, 7.6 rebounds and 2 assists per game this season. He was a terrific teammate, picking his spots and then coming up like found money when the Wildcats needed him most. Kidd-Gilchrist was at his best in big games, scoring a career-high 24 points on 7-of-15 shooting in Kentucky’s Sweet 16 win over Indiana, then following that up with 19 on 7-of-10 shooting in the Elite Eight against Baylor. He can attack the basket like few players in this draft class, and moves extremely well without the ball. Like the rest of his Wildcat teammates, Kidd-Gilchrist threw away any desire to become a star and completely bought into the team concept. That ability will come in handy at the next level, as will his ability to guard two or three different positions.

WEAKNESSES: 6-7 small forwards are a dime a dozen in the NBA, and Kidd-Gilchrist doesn’t have one elite skill that will make him a star at the next level. He’s not an outstanding shooter, and may have trouble getting the same type of looks he got in college. The NBA game is played much further away from the rim, so Kidd-Gilchrist is going to have to improve his outside shot.

BOTTOM LINE: There’s plenty of room on an NBA roster for a kid as talented, driven, and coachable as Kidd-Gilchrist. He probably won’t blossom into a star immediately, but with a little coaching and a lot of work on his outside shot, Kidd-Gilchrist could become one of the better players in this draft class.