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The Arizona State Sun Devils have not had a basketball player drafted since 2009. That may all change tonight when the NBA Draft kicks off at 4 p.m. Former Sun Devil wing Carrick Felix is firmly in the mix to be a second round draft pick after a strong senior season and a good showing at the 2013 NBA Draft Combine.
Felix improved both his scoring and rebounding numbers every season since he landed in Tempe. He progressed from 4.6 PPG and 1.6 RPG in his first season to 14.6 PPG and 8.1 RPG in his senior season. This past season, he led the Pac-12 with 13 double-doubles and was on the Pac-12 All-Defensive Team.
The Goodyear, Arizona, native also excels off the court, as Felix earned first team Pac-12 All-Academic honors this past season. Felix graduated from ASU with a bachelors in Communications in 2012 and a masters in Liberal Studies in 2013.
Felix can bring a lot to an NBA team. He plays with great energy and has a high motor (just ask UCLA's Jordan Adams). Felix also plays great defense had has good size (6'6") to guard a backcourt position. On top of it all, Felix can shoot the ball from the perimeter, as he made 99 three-point field goals in his tenure at Arizona State.
From the field, Felix shot a very solid 45%during his time at Arizona State. He also checked in with just 3% body fat, which was the lowest of any prospect at the draft combine.
Where he has to improve is his free throw shooting, an area where he shot just 66% his senior season. He also needs to improve creating his own shot.
ESPN's NBA Draft guru Chad Ford has Felix No. 57 on his big board. Draftexpress.com ranks Felix as the 69th best player in the draft.
There are plenty of teams where Felix would fit in the roster. He is a great rebounder for a guard and can be a good defender off the bench of an NBA team. I would look for him to be drafted towards the end of the second round.
Memphis has picks 55 and 60, Indiana at pick No. 53, Chicago at No. 49 and San Antonio at No. 58 all could be great fits for Felix.