Former Lone Peak Players in the NBA Draft Combine
Duke University 6’4 Freshman PG Frank Jackson and fellow Lone Peak Knight, 6’10 Sophomore C Eric Mika of Brigham Young University put their names in the NBA Draft and have been invited to the NBA Combine.
Many local people who know Frank and basketball weren’t surprised that he put his name in the Draft. When players compete at that level it is always nice to know what NBA personnel are looking for and what they would like their draft prospects to get better at.
Frank averaged 10.9 points, 2.5 rebounds and 1.7 is still undecided on whether to remain in the draft or come back for his sophomore year at Duke. Jackson has been interviewed by the San Antonio, Charlotte, Boston, Chicago, Atlanta, Utah, Oklahoma City and the New York Knicks. Frank has been projected to go as high as No. 21 in the 2018 Draft by DraftExpress.com, but ESPN’s Fran Fraschilla believes Jackson could go in the first round this year.
In a recent interview Jackson stated that he would make the best of wherever he ends up next year. “I think I’d make the most of wherever I am next year,” he said. “I’d put forth a full effort and I’d try to get the job done.”
Locally people would love for Frank to get drafted by the Utah Jazz, but having him drafted by the Spurs, Celtics or Bulls would serve him well because he would get the mentor-ship of some high quality point guards. In my opinion having him land in San Antonio would be the best fit for him.
Eric Mika putting his name in the Draft in no surprise either as he might have a better chance to develop and make a good living as a professional basketball player in the league or overseas if he were to leave now. Draft Express has Eric Mika ranked as the 75th-ranked prospect, while ESPN has Mika ranked at number 51. The 2-round NBA draft has 60 total picks. This will mean Mika will have to impress some teams in order to secure himself as a drafted prospect.
Mika averaged 2o.2 points, 8.3 rebounds, 1.9 blocks and 1.6 steals per game. The last time BYU had a player drafted was Jimmer Ferdette, in 2011, who is currently playing in China.
The biggest question is if staying at BYU will make Mika a better NBA prospect or will leaving BYU be better for him professionally? Either way the state of Utah not only has two players in the NBA Combine but two players from the same high school. Not sure if two players have ever been drafted from the same high school in the same year but it sure would be exciting for Utah and the quality of basketball players it is producing.