basketball analyst Duane

The 2014 NBA Draft will be a historic one for Canadian basketball, with as many as seven players from Canada - three of them as high as the first round - possibly selected. Morgan Tiller Jersey Store . In the days leading up to the draft, TSN.ca and TSN Radio basketball analyst Duane Watson looks at some of the names that will be headlining the event. Tonight, Kansas star Andrew Wiggins of Vaughan, Ontario. Watch the 2014 NBA Draft on TSN, Thursday at 7pm et/4pm pt. Name: Andrew Wiggins From: Vaughan, Ontario Played: University of Kansas Height: 68 Weight: 200 Position: Small Forward 2013-2014 Stats: 17.1 points, 5.9 rebounds and 1.5 assists Breakout Game: 41 points, 8 rebounds, 5 steals and 4 blocks in loss to West Virginia on March 8. Accolades: Big 12 Player of the Year, Second-Team All-American and First-Team All-Big 12. Draft Projection: First-overall selection Comparable NBA player: Paul George Depending on how intensely you have been following Andrew Wigginss career, the 2014 NBA Draft is the culmination of years of anticipation. A projected #1 pick before declaring for the University of Kansas, the Toronto-area native has lived with an unwavering level of pomp and circumstance from a young age. Is the hype justified? There is no way, even if he was the second coming of Michael Jordan, that he could live to those expectations in this information age. The overwhelming attention pundits have heaped upon him has also led to unwavering analysis of his game over the last year. “Not aggressive enough, limited offensive moves, turns over the ball too much,” etc. While certainly founded for a 19 year old, his case wasnt helped playing in a structured Kansas system with other weapons alongside another potential #1 pick in Joel Embiid. However, Wiggins has exhibited significant talent, flashes of greatness and tremendous potential with a style of play that will excel at the pro level. The age-old mantra in the NBA is, “You cant teach height,” but the game has shifted more to small ball where big men are not as key. The fact you cant teach athleticism or defence should be looked at, both of which Wiggins has in spades. Elements of his offensive game are raw, but will develop as his mechanics are fine. His build is light, but he will add mass and muscle and while hes explosive off his feet with excellent body control. Wigginss physical gifts are beyond reproach - his mental game is the burning question. His casual attitude or passivity on court is what raises doubts among talent evaluators. There are times where he isnt a part of the play and off in a corner as opposed to imposing his will on the game in other ways. Is it a case of boredom or coasting? Either way, that concern is what may separate him from being a top pick or a number two. Does he have the potential to be an elite player? That is the multi-million-dollar question that the Cleveland Cavaliers will be asking themselves on draft day. If youve followed Wiggins over the years, you likely already have your answer. Bill Baumgartner Jersey Store . -- LeGarrette Blount made one last big splash into a soggy end zone. John Shonk Jersey Store .Ryan Anderson had 14 points for the Pelicans, who trailed 78-63 after three periods before trimming the deficit to 86-83. Jrue Holiday had 13 points and Eric Gordon added 12 for New Orleans.Mike Scott and Jeff Teague each had 11 points for Atlanta.EVERETT, Wash. - Kailer Yamamoto scored with 13 seconds left to play as the Spokane Chiefs edged the Everett Silvertips 5-4 on Wednesday in Western Hockey League action.Adam Helewka had a power-play goal for Spokane (5-2-3) in the second period, while Calder Brooks, Jacob Cardiff and Liam Stewart also scored.Brayden Low, Cole MacDonald, Kohl Bauml and Nikita Scherbak supplied the offence for Everett (6-1-3).Garret Hughson made 25 saves for the win, while Austin Lotz stopped 33 shots for the Silvertips.The Chiefs scored once on two power-play opportunities, while Everett went 1 for 4 with the man advantage.---BLADES 5 ICE 2SASKATOON — Alex Forsberg struck twice to lead the Blades over the Ice.Isaac Schacher, Cameron Hebig and Josh Uhrich also scored for Saskatoon (4-7-0), and Wyatt Sloboshan chipped in with two assists.Jaedon Descheneau and Zak Zborosky scored first-period goals for Kootenay (3-9-0).---BRONCOS 5 WINTERHAWKS 4SWIFT CURRENT, Sask. — Colby Cave scored a tie-breaking, power-play goal with 13 seconds left to play as the Broncos edged the Winterhawks.Max Lajoie had two goals and an assist for Swift Current (7-7-0), and Dakota Odgers and Zac Mackay rounded out the Broncos offence.Paul Brittneer scored twice for Portland (3-9-2), including the game-tying goal at 19:17 of the third period. Brandon Jones Jersey Store. Chase De Leo and Miles Koules had a goal and an assist apiece.---BLAZERS 7 GIANTS 2KAMLOOPS, B.C. — The Blazers exploded for four unanswered goals in the final period to topple the Giants.Jake Kryski, Matt Needham, and Cole Ully staked Kamloops (8-5-1) to a 3-0 lead by the second period, and Luke Harrison, Mike Winther, Nick Chyzowski and Jesse Zaharichuk put the game away in the third.Dalton Sward and Thomas Foster scored for Vancouver (6-5-0).---WHEAT KINGS 7 COUGARS 4PRINCE GEORGE, B.C. — Rihards Bukarts and Nolan Patrick each had two goals and an assist as Brandon downed the Cougars.Reid Duke, Tyler Coulter and Ivan Provorov rounded out the attack for the Wheat Kings (9-2-1).Brad Morrisons power-play goal gave Prince George (7-6-0) an early 1-0 lead. Chance Braid, Jared Bethune and Chase Witala also scored.---ROCKETS 4 AMERICANS 0KELOWNA, B.C. — Jackson Whistle stopped all 22 shots he faced as the Rockets shut out Tri-City.Tyrell Goulbourne struck twice for Kelowna (11-1-0), while Jesse Lees and Tomas Soustal also scored.Eric Comrie made 30 saves for the Americans (8-5-0). ' ' '