Randle's Draft Stock

        Kentucky's Julius Randle is one of the most NBA ready players in this year's draft class. The 6'9" power forward from the Kentucky Wildcats has been in a battle for most of the season to be the first selected PF in the draft. Randle was the favorite during the year to be drafted first, and now that the season concluded, Arizona's Aaron Gordon and Indiana's Noah Vonleh are neck and neck with Randle.

        While Randle is more NBA ready and will probably post better rookie numbers, Vonleh has the most upside, and Gordon is ultra athletic and mobile. Julius Randle was diagnosed with a stress fracture in his foot during his senior season at Prestonwood Christian Academy in Texas. Now NBA execs are worried that Randle's broken right foot with a screw in it did not heal properly. Rumors are swirling that Randle may need surgery to fix his foot after the 2014 NBA Draft. Randle averaged a double-double (15 points and 10.4 rebounds) and appeared in all 40 games during the Wildcats' season. Randle was a lock for a top 10 pick and will probably still be drafted in the lottery, but his stock will take a hit on some team's draft board who are concerned with Randle's right foot. Randle will work out for Brad Stevens and the Boston Celtics on Friday.

        Julius Randle has fired back via his twitter account saying that people need to check their sources because he does not need foot surgery, even though multiple sources confirm that it is a real possibility.


By Steven Spector - 6-12-14