Derek Culver is Poised to Make an Impact in the NBA Draft

Derek Culver is a junior at West Virginia University and is eligible for the 2020 NBA draft He is a 6’10”, 250-pound center who averaged 11.5 points, 9.5 rebounds and 1.5 blocks per game last season.

Culver is a physical specimen with a wingspan that measured 7’3” at the NBA Draft Combine. He is an excellent rebounder, especially on the offensive end, where he averaged 3.5 offensive rebounds per

Derek Culver’s NBA Draft prospects

Derek Culver is a 6’10” center from West Virginia University who is widely considered to be one of the top prospects in the 2020 NBA draft He is known for his rebounding and defensive abilities, and many believe that he has the potential to be a very good player at the next level.

Culver is projected to be a first-round pick in the draft, and some have even compared him to fellow West Virginia alumnus Jerry West While he still has some areas of his game that need improvement, there is no doubt that he has the potential to be a very good NBA player

Why Derek Culver is an intriguing NBA draft prospect

Derek Culver is an intriguing NBA Draft prospect for a number of reasons. First and foremost, he is a 6’10” center with a 7’2″ wingspan who averaged 10.6 points, 9.7 rebounds, and 1.4 blocks per game as a freshman at West Virginia University While his stats don’t jump off the page, it’s important to remember that he was playing out of position for most of the season (he’s really a power forward) and he was also sharing the court with fellow freshman Oscar Tshiebwe who gobbled up a lot of minutes and touches.

Culver is an excellent rebounder, especially on the offensive end of the court, where he has a nose for the ball and uses his big body to create space for himself. He’s also a true back-to-the-basket post scorer, something that is becoming increasingly rare in today’s NBA. In an era where most teams are reliant on Three-point shooting Culver’s ability to score in the paint could make him a valuable asset for a team looking to add some scoring punch inside.

While he still has some work to do on his overall conditioning and his defensive footwork, Culver has all the physical tools to be an impactful player at the next level. Given his production as a freshman (despite being miscast in WVU’s starting lineup), there is reason to believe that he could develop into an impactful player in the NBA if given the opportunity.

Derek Culver’s strengths as an NBA Draft prospect

Derek Culver is a 6’10” center who projects as a Power Forward at the next level. He’s strong and physical, with good hands and touch around the basket. He’s an excellent rebounder, averaging 10.6 boards per game as a sophomore, and he has the potential to be a very good defender at the NBA level.

Culver is unlikely to be drafted in the first round, but he could be a very good value pick in the second round. He has the potential to be a solid role player for many years in the NBA.

Derek Culver’s weaknesses as an NBA Draft prospect

As the NBA draft approaches, much of the conversation surrounds WVU big man Derek Culver and his potential NBA future.

Culver enjoyed a breakout sophomore season, averaging 17.2 points and 10.4 rebounds per game while shooting nearly 53% from the field. His production helped lead West Virginia to a share of the Big 12 regular season title, and he was subsequently named co-Big 12 Player of the Year.

While Culver’s individual numbers are impressive, there are still some concerns about his game that could limit his impact at the next level. Among those concerns are:

-His ability to shoot from the perimeter (Culver shot just 28.6% from three-point range last season)
-His decision making with the ball in his hands (Culver averaged 2.5 turnovers per game last season)
-His lack of elite athleticism (Culver is not a particularly explosive leaper or lateral quickness)

These weaknesses will need to be addressed if Culver is to reach his full potential as an NBA player However, if he can improve in these areas, he has the chance to be a very good player at the next level.

How Derek Culver could fit with various NBA teams

Most NBA analysts agree that Derek Culver is one of the most interesting prospects in the 2019 draft. He’s a 6’10” center who averaged 17 points and 10 rebounds per game as a sophomore at West Virginia and he has the size and physicality to compete at the NBA level. However, he’s not an elite athlete, and his shooting range is limited.

There are a few NBA teams that could be a good fit for Culver. The first is the Minnesota Timberwolves who have the 11th pick in the draft. They need help inside, and Culver would be a good option to backup Karl-Anthony Towns Another team that could be a good fit is the Indiana Pacers who have the 18th pick in the draft. They already have Myles Turner as their starting center, but Turner is injury-prone and they don’t have much depth behind him. Culver could provide some much-needed insurance in case Turner gets hurt again.

Another team to keep an eye on is the Los Angeles Lakers, who have the fourth pick in the draft. They’re reportedly high on Culver and there have been rumors that they’re considering taking him with their pick. It’s worth noting that Lakers president of basketball operations Magic Johnson said earlier this month that they’re looking to draft “the best player available” with their pick, so it’s hard to say how serious they are about Culver.

Whatever team drafts Derek Culver will be getting a player with a lot of potential. He has the size and strength to compete at the NBA level, and if he can improve his jump shot he could develop into a very good player.

NBA scouts’ opinions on Derek Culver

Derek Culver is a 6’10” center from West Virginia who projects as a second-round pick in the 2020 NBA draft He was named the Big 12 Conference Freshman of the Year after averaging 13.2 points and 9.8 rebounds per game.

Culver is a physical player with a high motor. He has Good footwork and is constantly moving on both ends of the court. On offense, he is constantly looking for ways to create offenses, whether it’s setting screens or making himself available for lobs. On defense, he is an aggressive rebounder and shot blocker.

One area of concern for NBA scouts is his outside shooting. Culver only made 20 three-pointers in his two years at West Virginia and Shot Analytics rates him as a below-average shooter from all three levels (inside the paint, mid-range, and three-point range). However, many scouts believe that Culver has the potential to develop into an above-average shooter with time and coaching.

Overall, NBA scouts are divided on Derek Culver’s potential at the next level. Some think he has All-Star potential, while others believe his lack of shooting will limit him to being a role player off the bench. However, there is no doubt that Culver has the physical tools and motor to make an impact in the NBA.

The case for Derek Culver as a first-round pick

Derek Culver is one of the most unique prospects in the 2019 NBA Draft The 6’10” power forward from West Virginia has the potential to be a matchup nightmare for opposing defenses thanks to his combination of size, athleticism, and skill.

Culver was a key piece of West Virginia’s run to the Sweet 16 last season, averaging 10.4 points and 8.6 rebounds per game while shooting 50.4% from the field. He also showed flashes of potential as a playmaker, totaling 31 assists and 11 blocks in 33 games.

Despite his production, Culver is still somewhat under the radar as an NBA prospect One reason for this is that he played on a West Virginia team that lacked star power outside of Culver and guard James “Beetle” Bolden. As a result, Culver didn’t always have the opportunity to showcase his full skillset.

Another reason why Culver is flying under the radar is that he isn’t considered to be an elite athlete. Although he has good size and strength, he doesn’t have the explosive leaping ability or speed that some other prospects possess.

However, what Culver lacks in athleticism, he makes up for with his skill level and basketball IQ. He has excellent footwork for a big man and knows how to use his body to create space on offense. Additionally, Culver is an outstanding rebounder due to his timing, effort level, and ability to read the ball off the rim.

The biggest knock on Culver’s game is his lack of perimeter shooting ability. He made just 15 three-pointers in 33 games last season (31%), and scouts are concerned that he won’t be able to stretch the floor at the next level.

Although he isn’t considered a top-tier athlete and needs to improve his Jump Shot Derek Culver has the potential to be a very good NBA player thanks to his size, skill level, rebounding ability, and feel for the game. He should be able to find success in either a traditional back-to-the-basket role or as a small-ball center in today’s NBA

The case for Derek Culver as a second-round pick

There are many reasons to like Derek Culver as a potential second-round pick in the 2020 NBA Draft Here are four:

1. He’s an excellent rebounder.

Culver averaged 10.4 rebounds per game as a sophomore, which was good for second in the Big 12 and 11th in the nation. He has a nose for the ball and is always around the glass, which is a valuable trait for any big man.

2. He has improved his outside shooting.

As a freshman, Culver shot just 20.8 percent from three-point range. However, he worked hard on his jumper during his sophomore season and saw his percentage jump up to 33.3 percent. If he can continue to improve his outside shooting, he will be even more valuable at the next level.

3. He’s a good passer for a big man.

Culver averaged 2 assists per game last season, which is impressive for a player who is 6’10” and not known for his playmaking abilities. He has good vision and is unselfish with the ball, which are both valuable qualities for any player, especially a big man who will be asked to play inside most of the time.

4. He has experience playing against top competition.

As mentioned before, Culver played in the Big 12, which is one of the toughest conferences in college basketball He faced some of the best players in the country on a nightly basis and more than held his own, averaging 17 points and 10 rebounds per game against conference foes. This should give him at least some confidence that he can compete at the next level against better competition as well

The case for Derek Culver as a potential NBA star

Derek Culver was a productive college basketball player for the West Virginia Mountaineers averaging 11.5 points and 9.9 rebounds per game as a sophomore. He declared for the 2020 NBA Draft after two seasons in Morgantown.

Despite not being projected as a lottery pick, Culver has the potential to be a productive player in the NBA. He is an excellent rebounder and has shown the ability to score efficiently inside the paint.

Culver’s draft stock may have been hurt by his lack of playing time as a freshman and by West Virginia’s disappointing 2019-20 season However, he has the potential to be a steal for whichever team selects him on draft night.

The case for Derek Culver as a potential NBA bust

Derek Culver is a 6’10” center who played two seasons of college basketball for West Virginia He was a highly touted recruit, but he didn’t make much of an impact in his two years with the Mountaineers. He averaged just 10.4 points and 8.6 rebounds per game as a sophomore.

Culver has decent size and length for an NBA center but he’s not a very good athlete. He’s not particularly quick or explosive, and he doesn’t have a great wingspan. He’s also not a very good shooter. He made just 29.5 percent of his three-point attempts in college.

There are concerns about Culver’s character as well. He was arrested in 2019 for assaulting a woman, though the charges were later dropped. He was also suspended for one game last season for stuff that happened off the court.

Given all of these concerns, it’s fair to wonder if Derek Culver is going to be a bust in the NBA.