Andrew Wiggins may not be the clear No. 1 pick of the 2014 NBA draft. NBA scouts aren't sold yet on the Kansas freshman and question whether he can live up to the hype, Yahoo! Sports reports.
Wiggins has played in just two exhibition games and one regular season game with Kansas. He shot 39 percent from the field in the two preseason games, averaging 13 points and 4.5 rebounds; he went 5-of-9 for 16 points and three rebounds against Louisiana Monroe on Friday.
Although it's a small body of work to judge from, scouts haven't been wowed by what they've seen so far.
"Until Wiggins learns how to play hard," one NBA scout told Yahoo! Sports, "he's Kansas' third-best freshman."
Another scout added: "Wiggins has been advertised pretty high. Is he that good? The jury is still out."
At least one scout is concerned about Wiggins' drive and work ethic.
"(Wiggins) is not always playing hard and motivated," an NBA scout said. "That scares people. That scares me a little. You need a gym rat, someone that absolutely loves it. It's 82 games. It's tough. Those guys are harder to win with than guys who love it."
Although Wiggins has athleticism and star potential, nobody is comparing the small forward to being a once-in-a-lifetime player like LeBron James.
"He's not LeBron," one NBA general manager said. "It's not his fault regarding all the hype. People say he's pretty humble. He's a top-three pick for sure, if not No. 1."
Another NBA general manager said: "I believe most will be swayed by the hype, even if it's close and a couple other guys look great. But there is not a clear difference as there was with LeBron [in 2003] to the rest of the field."
While it's too early to dismiss Wiggins as the consensus No. 1 pick of the 2014 draft, the freshman will have competition for the top spot. Kentucky freshman Forward Julius Randle, Duke freshman forward Jabari Parker and Oklahoma State sophomore guard Marcus Smart are drawing the attention of NBA scouts.
"Julius Randle is the real deal," an NBA scout said. "Jabari Parker is really good. (Australian guard) Dante Exum, he was super impressive at the Hoop Summit at practice and is smooth and can shoot it. Marcus Smart, if a team needs a point guard, he can be a high pick, too. This upcoming draft class is outstanding."
Wiggins will get another chance to impress on Tuesday when Kansas plays Duke.
