The Long Forecast: Saunders rises, Quaintance falls as Lendeborg soars

SB Nation

Welcome to The Long Forecast on NetsDaily.

With another week of college basketball in the books, we take another look at June’s incoming draft class.

Where do the Nets’ picks sit?

Since last week’s column, the Nets went 0-4 and currently

own the league’s fourth-worst record at 13-35, while their two second-round selections are currently slotted at No. 35 and 42 overall.

Here are the latest mock drafts from Tankathon and Bleacher Report.

Risers

Richie Saunders, BYU

Across 21 games at BYU this season, Saunders has been a force, averaging 19.5 points per game along with 5.7 rebounds while shooting 50.2% of his field-goal attempts, and knocking down 39.6% of his three-point attempts in 32.2 minutes.

Against Kansas on Saturday, the senior poured in 33 points and 10 rebounds while shooting 57.8% from the field and hitting six-of his-14 attempts from beyond the arc (43%).

His draft stock will suffer because he is 24, but his production has been stellar, and he is a great defender.

If he continues to shoot at this level throughout the remainder of the season, though, he could emerge as an option for teams picking in the end of the first-round.

Fallers

Jayden Quaintance, Kentucky

After an excellent performance against St. John’s in his first game of the year after recovering from a significant ACL injury, Quaintance hasn’t made much noise since then.

He has only appeared in three games since and Wildcats head coach Mark Pope announced that he is out with knee swelling and has no timetable to return.

The 18-year-old was already set back by his ACL recovery; now he’s getting hit with another injury, and he’s missing key games for prospects of his ilk to establish themselves.

Spotlight of the week

Yaxel Lendeborg, Michigan

In his first season as a Wolverine, Lendeborg, 23, has been a difference-maker while rising up draft boards.

Across 21 games (20 starts), the 23-year-old has averaged 14.7 points per game on 50% shooting from the field, along with 7.2 rebounds in 28 minutes.

Standing at 6’10” and 240 pounds, Lendeborg is able to facilitate an offense, which is a rare trait for a player of his size. The Puerto Rico native is also very athletic and able to block shots with his 7’4” wingspan.

The two-time All-ACC player has the potential to be a solid all-around player at the next level.

Sleepers

In 21 games at Kansas this season, Byrson Tiller is averaging nine points per game on 48.3% shooting from the field, along with 5.8 rebounds across 25.3 minutes.

Against BYU on Sunday, he posted 21 points and seven rebounds while convering eight-of his-13 field goal attempts (61.5%).

Tiller has the physical tools to succeed at the NBA level. Now it’s about producing consistently at the collegiate level, and he still has time to prove he can do it.