Brooklyn Nets: Sean Kilpatrick’s Rocky Road in the NBA
By Zach Cronin
Sean Kilpatrick has already had a winding road to the NBA that started at the University of Cincinnati. After countless tours through the D-League, Kilpatrick is in a great place.
Sean Kilpatrick can evolve into a valuable player for the Brooklyn Nets.
The question remains the same, can he?
On June 26, 2014, Sean Kilpatrick saw all 30 NBA teams pass on him. After averaging 20.6 points per game as a senior with Cincinnati and being voted a first-team All-American by the Associated Press, Kilpatrick would have to fight–the hard way–to find himself on an NBA roster.
He was, by far, the best Bearcat on a squad that finished the 2013-14 season 27-7 before being upset by (12) Harvard in the NCAA Tournament. Despite this, scouts didn’t give him the time of day. It wasn’t uncommon to see him not on any mock draft boards, and playing in a small conference didn’t help. His talent, however, was undeniable.
Physically, he had all the tools to be a successful shooting guard. He measured 6’4.25 with a 6’7 wingspan at the NBA Draft Combine and weighed in at just under 220 pounds. That frame, if developed properly, would lead to a legitimate two-way player. He was able to muscle his way to the rim in college while maintaining a respectable jump shot that would need to improve for the sake of his NBA career.
Next: The Beginning