Pelicans NBA Draft: High school sleeper is son of former #1 pick

The New Orleans Pelicans could take a chance on a high school player in the NBA Draft.

The New Orleans Pelicans have four picks in the NBA Draft and could use one of them on a long-term project.

One such project is high school standout Kenyon Martin Jr., who skipped college completely to go straight into the NBA.

Martin Jr. is the son of former #1 pick Kenyon Martin, who had a solid 15-year career that included an All-Star appearance.

Martin Jr. is a 6-foot-7 small forward, who has similar athleticism as his father but may not be drafted due to the lack of tape teams have of him playing.

The footage that does exist is mostly of the “high school all-star game” variety, where Martin Jr. stands out as a man among boys. He already has an NBA frame at 6-foot-7, 215 lbs. and if he gets drafted it will be because of the athletic potential he has shown.

But Martin Jr. was not even the best player on his own team, as he played with several standouts including Cassius Winston and Scottie Pippen Jr., so was often overshadowed.

New Orleans Pelicans could select Kenyon Martin Jr. as a long-term project in NBA Draft

Most big boards have Kenyon Martin Jr. at the tail-end of the second round if listed at all, which means he will likely be available to the Pelicans with one of their second-round picks.

If Martin Jr. fell all the way to the 60th and final pick, the New Orleans Pelicans could consider him as a long-term project with upside.

He has already shown the ability to fly all over the court, and like his father, relishes playing defense and bringing intensity.

Kenyon Martin Jr. is a raw prospect but he comes from NBA genetics and already has the body and athleticism to be an NBA player if he can put the rest of it together.

He might be a worthwhile gamble for the New Orleans Pelicans, who could give him a year or two to develop in the G-League and have a potential contributor down the road.