We’re starting to get into a pattern here on guys that we at Sixerdelphia profile for the most important part of the 76ers’ 2013-14 season: the draft. As has been the case in recent weeks, this week the profile subject will be a senior who not just played, but starred, on national television this week. That would be Cincinnati guard Sean Kilpatrick.
A 6’4’’ guard, Kilpatrick is about the first, second and third reason the Bearcats are No. 7 in the nation—and primed to move up. He is averaging nearly 20 points per game, shooting an above-average 42% (35% from three). Using his long wingspan and overall lengthy body, he covers tremendous range on the court. It also gives him a strong presence and he presents a challenge to teams, defensively.
The best quality about Kilpatrick may be his fundamentals. His shot is about as beautiful of a stroke as you will find and his release is ideal. In watching Kilpatrick, one thing you may notice is that he is rather robotic in sizing up a shot and doing through the shooting motion. Never are his feet or knees in an awkward position and he squares his body up in the right position. Not only does this give him a pretty good chance of hitting his shot, it also means he is well coached and well-seasoned, being a veteran. To quote Jay Wright, “Juniors and seniors, man.”
The one knock on Kilpatrick, or at least item that teams would hold against him, is that he is a bit of a “tweener” in that he is a combination of a point guard and a shooting guard at the professional level. Frankly, he is not much of a point guard but he would be slotted there because of his size. He has great vision and can command the floor, so he could probably hold his own at the point and not kill you. For a two-guard, he is a little on the short side. That being the case, he could be swallowed up defensively in certain matchups, thus shattering any chance of being viewed among the elite here.
Pro comparison: Lou Williams
The Verdict: The 76ers aim to have their top pick in the top three. But they will have a few other picks, even some in the second round. Because of their immediate need to draft high-ceiling players, Kilpatrick would not be a great fit. In the second round, he has the ceiling to be a great sixth man and a second round pick would represent tremendous value if he were to be available there.
