NBA Mock Draft: Thunder Use Lottery Pick on Kentucky Guard

In a recent mock draft, OKC selected another talented guard from Kentucky to go along with former Wildcat Shai Gilgeous-Alexander.

On May 20, Jonathan Wasserman of Bleacher Report released a post-combine mock draft that saw Oklahoma City select Kentucky guard Cason Wallace with the No. 12 pick. Wasserman slotted Oliver-Maxence Prosper and Tristan Vukcevic to the Thunder in the second round. 

Wallace had a tremendous freshman year with the Wildcats, averaging 11.7 points, 4.3 assists, 3.7 rebounds and two steals per game, good enough to earn SEC All-Freshman Honors. The Dallas native is known for his impressive defensive skill set, but pitched in a solid offensive performance in the NCAA tournament, recording 21 points, nine rebounds, four assists and two steals against Kansas State in the Sweet 16.

Coming out of high school, Wallace was the No. 5 player in the nation according to 247Sports, earning the Richardson High School product comparisons to Jrue Holiday. 

Measuring in at 6-foot-4, 195 pounds at the NBA Draft Combine, Wallace's wingspan is greater than 6-foot-8. Putting such a strong defender on the same squad as defensive standout Lu Dort could make OKC one of the better defensive teams in the lead as early as next season.

Wallace shot 44.6% from the field and 34.6% from 3-point range in his lone season at Kentucky. If he can improve from beyond the arc, Wallace would be a great fit for Oklahoma City.

In the second round of his mock draft, Wasserman gave the Thunder quickly rising wing Olivier-Maxence Prosper. After an impressive showing at the draft combine, many scouts believe Prosper could be a late first round selection, meaning OKC landing him in the second round would be a steal. 

In his third season of college basketball, Prosper averaged 12.5 points and 4.7 rebounds per game while shooting 51.2% from the field and 33.9% from deep. 

Later in the second round, Wasserman selected 6-foot-10 Serbian center Tristan Vukcevic for the Thunder. Vukcevic would have a chance of playing, but would likely be behind Jaylin Williams in the lineup.

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