Cauley-Stein's draft stock quickly rising

LEXINGTON, Ky. – After dominating a ranked opponent for the second time in eight days — first Texas, then North Carolina — Willie Cauley-Stein said he's come to believe that his potential is "limitless."

"It's not much that I can't do as long as I work at it," the University of Kentucky's 7-foot junior center said. "I feel like I can do anything."

NBA franchises are beginning to think similarly. After he produced 36 points, 18 rebounds, nine steals and five blocks in 61 minutes combined against the Longhorns and Tar Heels, both of whom boast future pros in the frontcourt, Cauley-Stein shot up to No. 4 in DraftExpress.com's latest 2015 mock draft.

Jonathan Givony, the site's top analyst, explained the move (a six-spot jump) in an email, saying Cauley-Stein has shown that "his offense, mental focus and consistency have improved enough to be considered a starting-caliber center prospect, of which players in his mold are increasingly valuable in the style of play found in today's NBA."

ESPN's Chad Ford agrees, telling The Courier-Journal he'll vault Cauley-Stein from No. 16 to No. 8 on his updated Big Board to be released Wednesday. Additionally, one NBA scout who requested anonymity and not to be quoted directly said Cauley-Stein is almost certainly a lottery pick now. The only question left is how high he'll climb.

Ford talks to a much wider network of pro personnel, and many of them started sending him text messages during the Texas game. They shared a general theme: This is the Willie Cauley-Stein we've been waiting for. Increased intensity this season has been "the big revelation."

"For the first two years, his projection as a late lottery pick was based almost completely on what we thought he could be some day, and now we're seeing all of that come together," Ford said. "You notice him every minute of the game. He is out there making an impact, even when he's not scoring, even when he's not necessarily blocking a shot or grabbing a rebound. He is out there disrupting."

Cauley-Stein has been a stat-sheet stuffer despite limited minutes in UK's platoon system. He's averaging 10.7 points, 6.8 rebounds, 1.7 steals, 1.6 blocks and 1.1 assists in just 24.5 minutes per game for the top-ranked and undefeated Wildcats.

He's had either double-digit points or double-digit rebounds (and twice had both) in 9 of 11 games this year. Cauley-Stein has been his best against the best. Facing four ranked opponents, he's averaged 17.2 points, 10.8 rebounds, 3.8 steals and 1.9 blocks per 34 minutes.

"The fact that he is such a game-changer defensively is tough to overstate," Givony said. "Every NBA team needs a guy like that."

One scout said Cauley-Stein is appealing because defending the pick-and-roll is critical in that league and he can do it in a number of ways. He can also legitimately lock down a small forward, power forward or center at the next level, the scout said. He has defended point guards at times in college.

Maybe more importantly, he's winning over the pros by answering important intangible questions. He entered this season with a reputation for being "flaky," one scout said. The eccentric star has at various times dyed his hair blonde, worn wacky clothes and launched into off-the-wall expositions in interviews.

John Calipari has called him "different." The Cats' coach often jokes that every time he made a recruiting visit to see Cauley-Stein, he was playing something other than basketball, including tennis and kickball. A common question among NBA personnel until recently: How much does the game really matter to him?

But then Cauley-Stein suffered a season-ending ankle injury during the Sweet 16 back in March – which might've been the only thing that kept him in school another year. He returned this season with a different attitude.

"I think I'm just driven more after being injured and knowing that, like, it really can get taken away from you like that," he said. "It really opened my eyes that I really do love this game."

Furthermore, while he didn't feel like he had a defined role on last season's team — "just roam around and block shots" — it's clear to him now, especially after the loss of friend and teammate Alex Poythress to a torn ACL, Kentucky is counting on him.

"That type of leadership role" he said, "is really just keeping me going."

It could also keep him climbing draft boards. So far, he's demonstrated everything the NBA wanted to see this season.

"Can he show consistent effort, aggression, toughness and leadership every night? The last few games for Kentucky, I think the answer has been a huge yes," Ford said. "He seems to have emerged as the leader of this team. Given his personality, that would've been an unlikely choice. And on a team that's this talented, that has this many potential NBA players, for Cauley-Stein to be the guy who has sort of risen to the top … I just didn't think it was in his personality and I didn't think it was in his game. That's caught people's attention."

Kyle Tucker can be reached at (502) 582-4361. Follow him on Twitter @KyleTucker_CJ.

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