ARIZONA BASKETBALL

ESPN’s Ford: Grant Jerrett a bubble first-round pick

Jun 17, 2013, 8:10 PM | Updated: 8:25 pm

Grant Jerrett’s decision to leave the University of Arizona for the NBA Draft after just one season in Tucson was met with much skepticism.

After all, the 6-foot-10, 235-pound forward averaged just 5.2 points and 3.6 rebounds per game. He played roughly 18 minutes per night, and while he showed great potential, he was not exactly a star at the collegiate level.

So, many thought he would be a second-round pick, that is, if he even got drafted.

A little time and a lot of workouts have changed perception.

“He’s on the bubble first round,” ESPN NBA Draft insider Chad Ford told Arizona Sports 620’s Burns and Gambo Monday.

Ford pointed to Jerrett’s lack of minutes at Arizona and said NBA personnel who are probably wondering why a potential first-round pick struggled to get minutes in the Old Pueblo, but that it’s apparent the player offers a skill teams covet.

“He’s a stretch four, and there are so many teams now that love guys that are 6’10” and can really shoot the basketball,” he said. “I think that’s where Jerrett has a chance to make it in the league.

“He has that one skill, and he does it quite well.”

Jerrett made .405 of his three-point attempts in his lone college season, and if he does get drafted on June 27, it will be because of his ability to shoot the ball.

Ford compared the Wildcat to New Orleans forward Ryan Anderson, who averaged 16.2 points and 6.4 rebounds per game last season.

“I think he could play that sort of role in the NBA some day,” Ford said. “He’s not quite ready for it yet, but he’s a great asset if you get him late in the first round or second round because he’s got a skill that translates.”

Comments

Comment guidelines: No name-calling, personal attacks, profanity, or insults. Please keep the conversation civil and help us moderate comments by reporting abuse.
comments powered by Disqus

Arizona Basketball

Arizona Wildcats guard Jaden Bradley against Clemson in the Sweet 16...

Kevin Zimmerman

Arizona basketball stars go cold in Sweet 16 loss to Clemson

Caleb Love and Pelle Larsson carried Arizona into the NCAA Tournament but they shot the Wildcats out of their Sweet 16 matchup vs. Clemson.

4 hours ago

Arizona Wildcats center Oumar Ballo against Clemson in the Sweet 16...

Arizona Sports

Oumar Ballo Nerf-hoop dunks it in Arizona’s Sweet 16 loss to Clemson

The No. 2 Arizona Wildcats in the Sweet 16 against the No. 6 Clemson Tigers showed some pop late in the first half with Oumar Ballo's dunk.

5 hours ago

Keshad Johnson #16 and Pelle Larsson #3 of the Arizona Wildcats speak at a press conference before ...

Damon Allred

Grind of final Pac-12 season prepared Arizona basketball for March

No. 2 Arizona men's basketball will look to make it past the Sweet 16 for the first time in Tommy Lloyd's tenure.

1 day ago

Caitlin Clark celebrates...

Associated Press

Iowa’s Caitlin Clark is inspiring a younger generation of players

Caitlin Clark's deep range has expanded the scope of possibilities for up-and-coming women's basketball players.

1 day ago

Chase Hunter #1 and PJ Hall #24 of the Clemson Tigers high five during the first half against the B...

Vincent DeAngelis

Clemson basketball looks to continue ‘underdog’ run against Arizona in Sweet 16

No. 6 seed Clemson takes on Arizona on Thursday after upsetting No. 3 seed Baylor in the 2024 NCAA Tournament round of 32

1 day ago

(L-R) Caleb Love #2, Keshad Johnson #16, Oumar Ballo #11, and Jaden Bradley #0 of the Arizona Wildc...

Vincent DeAngelis

Re-ranking Arizona basketball among Sweet 16 teams in the NCAA Tournament

Multiple publications rank the Arizona Wildcats around the middle of the pack among the Sweet 16 team still in the NCAA Tournament.

3 days ago

ESPN’s Ford: Grant Jerrett a bubble first-round pick