Saer Sene's size, length and athleticism makes him one of the most intriguing big men amongst any of the prospects available. Oleksiy Pecherov is coming off a breakout season in Europe and looks poised to land somewhere in the mid-late 1st round. Damir Markota and Kosta Perovic are both fairly established Euroleague players who are hoping to be drafted somewhere in the 2nd round.
American Perspective on European Big Men, Part One
Saer Sene, 7-0, Center, 1986, Senegal, Pepinster (Belgium)
One of the more intriguing stories to follow in the coming years out of this draft class is the development of Saer Sene. It really could go in any direction.
If his learning curve really is as steep as some NBA teams think, were talking about an absolute force in the middle that runs the floor incredibly hard, blocks shots and rebounds with the best of them, and best of all, shows a terrific attitude to do all the little things.
But if he ends up the way too many African prospects over the past few years have, the results will not be pretty for the team that drafts him. Olumide Oyedeji, Malick Badiane, Mamadou NDiaye, Soumalia Samake, the list of uber-athletic freaks with incredible wingspans and little to no basketball experience goes and on and on.
Sene essentially represents everything the NBA draft stands for. Hit a home run and you might get a Samuel Dalembert with the 27th pick. Strike out and you might suffer through four listless years of DeSagana Diop like the Cleveland Cavaliers did after drafting him 8th overall.
Senes more likely scenario is that he develops into a more athletic version of what Diop has become today, a big body in the post who intimidates with his length, runs the floor, sets good screens, rebounds with purpose and scores when the opportunity arises. As ordinary as that might sound, there is a plenty of value in getting a 7-footer in that mold, particularly when you are drafting somewhere from 10-20. Anything more than that is absolute gravy for the team that drafts him, which is where his upside kicks in.
For more info on Saer Senes strengths and weaknesses, click on his name to read his recently completed scouting report.
If his learning curve really is as steep as some NBA teams think, were talking about an absolute force in the middle that runs the floor incredibly hard, blocks shots and rebounds with the best of them, and best of all, shows a terrific attitude to do all the little things.
But if he ends up the way too many African prospects over the past few years have, the results will not be pretty for the team that drafts him. Olumide Oyedeji, Malick Badiane, Mamadou NDiaye, Soumalia Samake, the list of uber-athletic freaks with incredible wingspans and little to no basketball experience goes and on and on.
Sene essentially represents everything the NBA draft stands for. Hit a home run and you might get a Samuel Dalembert with the 27th pick. Strike out and you might suffer through four listless years of DeSagana Diop like the Cleveland Cavaliers did after drafting him 8th overall.
Senes more likely scenario is that he develops into a more athletic version of what Diop has become today, a big body in the post who intimidates with his length, runs the floor, sets good screens, rebounds with purpose and scores when the opportunity arises. As ordinary as that might sound, there is a plenty of value in getting a 7-footer in that mold, particularly when you are drafting somewhere from 10-20. Anything more than that is absolute gravy for the team that drafts him, which is where his upside kicks in.
For more info on Saer Senes strengths and weaknesses, click on his name to read his recently completed scouting report.