2023 NBA Draft: Dereck Lively II Continues to Impress
The former top player in his high school class, Derek Lively II is a bonafide first-round talent in the 2023 NBA Draft. With that in mind, there’s an outside chance that he works his way into the lottery conversation by draft night.
In his lone college season, the 19-year-old produced 5.2 points and 5.4 rebounds in 20.6 minutes per game while shooting 65.8% from the floor. Lively is a fantastic rim protector at 7-foot-1 and moves extremely well for his size, blocking 2.4 shots per game as a freshman. However, it’s the offensive side of the ball that is most important to improve upon and flash upside in the pre-draft process.
While he’s currently working out individually for teams, the Duke big also recently held a larger workout through his agency, Klutch Sports Group, that featured representation from all 30 NBA teams. Lively was able to show off his mobility, motor and even some of his offensive upside.
The talent of Lively is immense, there’s no question about that. Knocking down 14 triples from the corner during this workout proves that he has the tools to ultimately develop on the offensive end and become more well-rounded. It could take the right landing spot and system for Lively to reach his ceiling at the NBA level, but whichever team takes him will have the chance to mold a future starting caliber big.
Between now and June 22, keep an eye on Lively as a riser leading up to the event.
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