New Orleans Pelicans: A late 2nd Round NBA Draft Pick with star potential

New Orleans Pelicans NBA Draft: Kahlil Whitney of Kentucky could be this year’s sleeper pick.

Kahlil Whitney’s Resume

If you look at the stats you’d probably conclude that Whitney is not going to be an NBA player. He only averaged 3.3 points and 1.7 rebounds in his freshman season, which was cut short when he abruptly quit.

None of this is good, but it could end up being beneficial for the New Orleans Pelicans.

That’s because Whitney is a first-round talent whose early career is not an indication of where he can go. Whitney is a 6-foot-6 small forward who has freak athleticism. He already runs the floor well, catches lobs and can jump out of the gym.

He has an NBA body already and profiles as a guy who has the athleticism and length to be an elite defender at multiple positions.

The problem is that he has trouble finishing at the rim and cannot shoot at all, things that would have to improve if he wants to make an NBA rotation.

He was a five-star recruit coming out of high school and a McDonald’s All-American, so the talent is there, but Whitney had a hard time adjusting to college life and for whatever reason, could not make it work in Kentucky.

He is a perfect candidate for the G-League and has the potential to blow up once he gets there and can get the reps he needs without a ton of pressure.

He’ll be one of the younger players in the draft, and though he didn’t do much at Kentucky, the potential is there, as is his fit on the New Orleans Pelicans.