Pat Connaughton
Pat Connaughton, one of the clear standouts of the 2015 NBA Draft Combine, only projects as a second round pick. That being said, he could very well be on the Suns’ draft board when the 44th overall pick rolls around given his reputation as an excellent three-point shooter.
Kentucky’s Devin Booker might be available when the Suns select at No. 13, and his shooting ability would be a welcome addition to the roster. But if the Suns miss out on Booker or choose another path at No. 13, this undersized forward shouldn’t be ruled out in the second round.
Sir Charles In Charge
A physical wing and a good rebounder for his 6’5″ frame, Connaughton helped the Fighting Irish defy the odds and battle Kentucky’s elite bigs in the Elite Eight. Notre Dame fell two points short of handing the Wildcats their first loss of the season, but the fire Connaughton and Zach Auguste showed in the paint against Karl-Anthony Towns and Willie Cauley-Stein did not go unnoticed.
“Everyone always asks the question, ‘Do you love to win or do you hate to lose?’ and my answer to that question is always ‘Hate to lose,'” he said. “The ‘hate to lose’ is something that drives me to be on the winning side. Someone always always quits, you’ve just got to be mentally stronger and mentally tougher to find yourself on the side where, when the clock goes off, your team is ahead of the other.”
Connaughton made 42.3 percent of his three-pointers on 5.6 attempts per game in his final collegiate season. He also recorded the second-best max vertical leap in NBA Draft Combine history at 44″. He’s a bit undersized for his position, but his shooting ability will be his calling card at the next level.
“Coming from Boston, all the snow we had this year, the weather is definitely a plus,” he said. “The way play, the way I think I could help with shooting, toughness, things of that nature, and I’ve enjoyed my time here….whatever they need me to do if I end up here, I’d be happy to do.”
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