Cameron Bairstow

[libermaniac]

Has anyone seen New Mexico's Cameron Bairstow play this year?

http://espn.go.com/mens-college-basketball/player/_/id/51163/cameron-bairstow

He's become an absolute stud, simply dominating the competition, which includes great games against Kansas, Cincy, Marquette and San Diego State. Check out his game log

http://espn.go.com/mens-college-basketball/player/gamelog/_/id/51163/cameron-bairstow

He's gotten better every year, is a super hard worker (lifts weights for 45 minutes after every game).  He's sculpted his body from a skinny kid 3 years ago, to a man among boys.  He's got phenomenal footwork, a very quick first step, nice hands, has a relentless motor and uses his body to get shots off.  He's a legit 6-9, but not a high-flier, but what's funny is I don't see him on any mock drafts ... NBADraft.net, DraftExpress, etc..

He's considered by many to be the most improved player in the NCAAs this year, just won CBS sports player of the week, and is a Wooden Finalist.  He's making people forget about the reigning Mountain West player of the year, Kendall Williams, who's actually having a much better year than he did last year (Williams is projected to go mid-2nd round).

http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/college-basketball/news/20140114/wooden-watch-cameron-bairstow-new-mexico-doug-mcdermott-marcus-smart/

What gives with no draft attention for Bairstow?  I guarantee you, worst case, he could be another one of Danny's second round steals ... but with his pace of improvement from year to year, who knows how good this kid can get?

[henr1k]

Looking at his numbers, his improvement from junior year is really impressive.

That being said, being a couple years older than everyone else helps. He is a man playing amongst boys which explains 8.5 FTA per game. That's an insane number. Not sure he has size or athletic ability to do that in the NBA.

He is a 6'9 PF, already 23y old, IMO we don't have room or need for him on our roster. I think he ends up playing in Europe.

[libermaniac]

Ya, I think he's getting stereotyped by a) his age b) him being white, into assuming he doesn't have the athletic ability, etc..  But, this kid has improved so much from 22 to 23 years old, that he's not done developing as a player (which is the main reason you'd shy away from older players).  And, he's got sneaky athleticism, strength, and quick feet.

I agree that he's the last guy the C's need with their current roster and logjam at the PF.  But, it will be interesting to keep an eye on him.  I'm projecting NBA reserve for him in a Scola-type role.

[libermaniac]

I don't get why Cameron Bairstow isn't getting any love.  He just showed VERY WELL at the combine.  The main knock on him, is he's probably stereotyped to not be very athletic.  But, if you compare his measurables and sprint and shuttle times with Julius Randall, Bairstow more than holds his own.  Faster sprint and shuttle times.  Taller, similar reach.  Out-jumped Randall by 2 inches from standing position but lost by 2 inches when allowed to run.

http://www.draftexpress.com/nba-pre-draft-measurements/?year=2014&sort2=DESC&draft=0&pos=0&source=All&sort=2

Also, can't find the link, but his shooting stats at the combine were off the charts.  Mostly 3-5 and 4-5 from each area.  Probably hit over 2/3 of his shots.

Take a look at this clip ... his moves are very mature.  You don't see many college kids doing this.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_embedded&v=FbPz8ztgy9w

Bill Self said Bairstow was the hardest guy the Jayhawks had to guard all year.

Yet, still ... no love!?  I know he's 23, but his pace of improvement from last year to this is off the charts, and he's getting better every day.

http://espn.go.com/mens-college-basketball/player/_/id/51163/cameron-bairstow

C's already loaded at the 4, so not real sure he'd add a ton of value to the C's, but still ... I'd be surprised if he's not climbing up draft boards.