Kentucky’s Skal Labissiere, once considered among the top prospects in the 2016 draft, received a brutal review from an unidentified NBA scout after today’s game with Louisville, according to Adam Zagoria of SNY.tv. “Big Skal, no strength, no toughness, no game,” the scout said. “Comes off the bench, plays 10 minutes, had 2 points, 3 rebounds, 0 for 3 from the floor. Shot an air ball on an easy hook.” Labissiere was a coveted recruit out of high school, but he has struggled greatly at the college level. He has 4 points over his last three games and just 22 over his last six. The scout was much higher on 5’9″ Kentucky guard Tyler Ulis, whom he called “the smartest player” on the Wildcats. “Yes he can [play in the NBA] and he will be drafted,” the scout said.
There’s more from around the basketball world:
- Rockets coach J.B. Bickerstaff said his team “disrespected the game” and threatened to make changes following tonight’s loss to the Pelicans, writes Jonathan Feigen of The Houston Chronicle. The coach talked about “misplaced priorities,” which he called “the core issue” behind the team’s disappointing start. “Our issue is doing things right … not because it’s going to get me a bucket … not because I get glory,” Bickerstaff said. “… Our priorities need to be clear. I need to do a better job of playing people whose priorities are clear.”
- Clippers rookie Branden Dawson had expected to report to Grand Rapids in the D-League in early January, tweets Rowan Kavner of Clippers.com. However, Los Angeles may need to keep him at the NBA level because of the injury to Blake Griffin that was disclosed today.
- The Mavericks have sent guard Justin Anderson and center Salah Mejri to the Texas Legends of the D-League, the team announced today. Anderson has appeared in 17 games with the Mavericks and four games with the Legends. Mejri has played five games with Dallas and five for the D-League team.