NBA prospect Kay Felder has some things working against him when it comes to making it to the Association. He went to Oakland University, in Michigan, which is not a big-time program. More to the point, he’s only 5-foot-8, which is very short by NBA standards. However, there are a couple points in his favor, in terms of his NBA Draft stock. He was the Horizon Conference’s Player of the Year in 2016, and he led the NCAA in assists per game last season. Also, while he may be short, he can jump out of the gym, as he proved at the NBA Draft Combine.
In recent years, the NBA Draft Combine has started to approach the prominence of the NFL Draft Combine, and it is a place where players can really help, or hurt, their draft stock. This is particularly true when it comes to measurements. While Felder may only be 5’8, he put up a crazy 44-inch vertical jump, which is tied for the second best in Combine history.
Felder also has one big fan from Michigan, in NBA All-Star, Draymond Green. The always outspoken Green went to Twitter to try and cajole folks, like ESPN NBA draft guru Chad Ford, to think outside the box, mentioning the success of other idiosyncratic players, such as Jae Crowder.
Why don't these top writers/analysts like @chadfordinsider not talk about a guy like Kay Felder? Is that too far outside the box?
— Draymond Green (@Money23Green) May 12, 2016
Like an Isaiah Thomas or Jae crowder or myself? Does going outside outside the box make them lose credibility? Or can they just not see it?
— Draymond Green (@Money23Green) May 12, 2016
Draft Express has Felder ranked No. 58 (late second round) in their latest mock draft. If Felder and his amazing hops do get drafted, we know one NBA player who will be very excited.
