Strengths:
Pat Connaughton may have stolen the show at the 2015 NBA Draft Combine with his unreal 44″ vertical, but Robert Upshaw probably wasn’t far behind. Not only did Upshaw record the longest wingspan at the combine (7’5″), but he also had the highest standing reach (9’5″) AND the largest hands of any combine participant.
Add that to what we saw from his time with the Huskies and the potential is very clear. Before Washington let him go in January, Upshaw was leading the NCAA in blocks, was nearly a nightly double-double and provided the kind of terrific interior defense that any NBA team would love to have.
Washington's Robert Upshaw has the tallest standing reach at 9'5" & longest wingspan 7'5.5" at the NBA Draft Combine
— NBA Big Board (@chadfordinsider) May 13, 2015
Upshaw’s importance to the Huskies was pretty evident. The team started their season 11-0, but after he was released in January, Washington floundered to a 2-10 finish to their season.
Upshaw’s height, length and anticipation on the defensive end make him the kind of big that can be a defensive anchor for any contender. His offense is severely limited at this point, but since he’s only 21 years old, most teams could live with that.
Most important of all, Upshaw seems to be saying all the right things when it comes to his off-the-court troubles. Not only did he take full responsibility for his actions at the draft combine, but he came off as well spoken and eloquent in the process. If he has truly put his inner demons behind him, some team might take a chance on him in the first round.
Robert Upshaw said he had a good interview w #Celtics. Coming off as polished, reflective in media session. Said he made lots of mistakes.
— gary washburn (@GwashburnGlobe) May 15, 2015
Next: Weaknesses