NEW YORK, NEW YORK – MARCH 25: Markquis Nowell #1 of the Kansas State Wildcats reacts against the Florida Atlantic Owls during the first half in the Elite Eight round game of the NCAA Men’s Basketball Tournament at Madison Square Garden on March 25, 2023 in New York City. (Photo by Al Bello/Getty Images)
Kansas State guard Markquis Nowell was one of the best players in the NCAA Tournament. Will his performance be enough to get noticed in the NBA Draft?
Kansas State guard Markquis Nowell put forth the performance of the NCAA Tournament on Thursday night with his record breaking performance against Tom Izzo’s Michigan State squad. Nowell’s 20 points and 19 assists propelled the Wildcats to the East Regional Final against the Florida Atlantic Owls.
Unfortunately for Nowell, his 30 points and 12 dimes weren’t enough to send KSU into the Final Four on Saturday.
Nowell’s Wildcats fell to FAU by a final score of 79-76. While it’ll take Nowell a while to get over Saturday’s loss, his standout performance was sure to get the attention of NBA executives.
Does Nowell have a chance to hear his name called during the 2023 NBA Draft?
NBA Draft: Does Markquis Nowell have a chance to be drafted?
When a 7-foot-2 generational talent like Victor Wembanyama is the overwhelming favorite to be taken with the No. 1 overall pick in the 2023 NBA Draft, it seems a little crazy to think that a 5-foot-8 guard like Markquis Nowell would garner much attention.
Being short doesn’t necessarily eliminate the possibility of Nowell being drafted. Kennedy Chandler of the Memphis Grizzlies is only 5-foot-11. Dallas Mavericks guard McKinley Wright is also 5-foot-11, but very few NBA players are under 6-foot tall.
The most recent example of a diminutive player who excelled in the league is Isaiah Thomas. At just 5-foot-9, Thomas was the last pick in the 2011 NBA Draft and was a two-time All-Star.
The bigger issue when it comes to Nowell’s draft prospects might not be his size, but his age. At 23 years old, Nowell is much older than most draftees that NBA GMs are looking for.
Markquis Nowell will surely get a few looks and may sneak into the second round of the 2023 NBA Draft. But the most likely scenario would be for Nowell to get a look in the Summer League and maybe find a way to latch with a team on before the 2023-24 season begins.
For more NCAA basketball and March Madness news, analysis, opinion and features, check out more from the FanSided college basketball section to stay on top of the latest action.
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