Could Georgetown's Otto Porter Emerge As The #1 Pick In The 2013 NBA Draft?
Prior to the 2012-13 college basketball season, few casual fans recognized Georgetown's versatile sophomore forward, Otto Porter, but NBA scouts were all over the 6'8" forward with guard-like skills. But even Porter's play this season has exceeded their expectations, rising from mid-first round NBA Draft pick into the lottery, into the Top 5 and now is steadily in contention for the #1 overall pick in the 2013 NBA Draft.
At 6'8", Otto Porter moves like a gazelle on the floor, with the ability to play any position on the floor based on his tremendous skill set and emerging perimeter shot; on the year, Porter is averaging 15 points (.513 field-goal percentage, .449 from 3-point range) to go along with 7.7 rebounds, 2.5 assists, 1.9 steals and 1.1 blocks per game. Talk about filling up the stat-sheet.
And for a Georgetown team lacking depth and offensive firepower, Porter has stepped up. In the last six games for the Hoyas, he is averaging 19.3 points, 8.7 rebounds, along with his usual 2 assists, 2 steals and 1 block per. But what makes scouts love Porter even more is for his leadership. This spike in production has come at a much-needed time, when Georgetown lost their starting power forward Greg Whittington to an academic suspension. And he is becoming a more vocal leader, putting his young teammates in positions where they should be to make plays on both ends of the floor.
By NBA-DRAFT.com Staff Writer - 2 -5- 13
