2014 NBA Draft: Five Canadians with second-round pick potential

The 2014 NBA Draft could be a record-setting night for Canadian basketball.

Three Canadians were selected in the 2012 draft, a record that should be equalled before the first round is through on Thursday. This year’s crop of northern talent is headlined by Andrew Wiggins and Nik Stauskas, a pair of projected lottery picks, and Tyler Ennis, who’s forecast to get taken in the teens to mid-twenties. Never before have three Canadians been selected in the first round.

That would leave plenty of time for a record fourth Canadian to get picked – and it’s not such a far-fetched possibility either. No fewer than five other Canadians have realistic draft ambitions, and many experts are calling for two or three of them to get selected in the second round. With that in mind, here’s a look at the less heralded Canadians whose names could get called on draft night.

KHEM BIRCH

It’s hard to believe that Montreal’s Khem Birch hasn’t quite lived up to expectations. Last season, he averaged a double-double for UNLV and won his second straight Mountain West defensive player of the year award. But he also toiled in relative obscurity for a team that failed to make the NIT tournament. And for those who remember the hype of his high-school years, Birch has yet to fully realize his potential.

Strengths: Birch is an explosive athlete at the four position, able to erase shots with ease. (He was among the NCAA's top shot-blockers last season, averaging 3.8 per game.) Much of his offence comes from playing a high-energy game that leads easy buckets in transition or put-backs on the offensive glass. Birch could be a second-round steal for a team in need of a mobile, athletic big.

Weaknesses: Birch is still raw on the offensive end. At six-foot-nine, 210 pounds, he’s bound to get pushed around on the NBA blocks. Compounding this problem is that he has little semblance of a post game, nor a reliable jump shot.

Here's a look at Birch in pre-draft training:

Draft projection: Mid to late second round

DWIGHT POWELL

Dwight Powell has seen first-hand what NBA talent looks like. The Toronto native toured the AAU circuit with Grassroots Canada, playing alongside current NBA players Tristan Thompson and Cory Joseph. But unlike his former teammates, he stayed a full four years in college, helping Stanford University end a five-year March Madness drought last season. It was in the tourney that Powell led Stanford to the Sweet Sixteen with a victory over Wiggins’ Kansas Jayhawks.

Strengths: Powell is a fluid big man who’s shown signs of a deadly face-up game. Standing six-foot-eleven, Powell could become a match-up nightmare if his shot continues to improve. He led Stanford in assists last season, with just over three per game. While he lacks a defining characteristic, Powell does a number of things better than your typical big. He’s considered a smart player who could immediately contribute off the bench in the right system.

Weaknesses: Some scouts believe Powell regressed in his senior season. (His shooting and rebounding numbers took a dip, though he played on a much-improved Cardinals team.) He’s not a particularly strong post player, relying on a right-handed hook that’s become predictable. He also lacks the strength needed to maintain post position. And despite his size, Powell has never been an outstanding rim protector.

In this draft workout, you’ll catch a glimpse of Powell’s developing outside game:

Draft projection: Mid to late second round

JORDAN BACHYNSKI

Over his four-year career at Arizona State University, Jordan Bachynski came to be known by a different name: Blockchynski. The Calgary native led the NCAA in swats last season – one of three Canadians in the top five – with four per contest. His prowess as a rim protector was enough to land him the Pac-12’s defensive player of the year award. As a junior, Bachynski notched ASU’s first-ever triple-double, which included 12 blocks.

Strengths: Much of Bachynski's shot-blocking ability hinges on his seven-foot-two frame and seven-foot-four wingspan. That said, he also used quick hands and exceptional timing to become the NCAA's top shot-blocker last season. Another bright spot is that Bachynski showed vast improvement over his four-year career at ASU. He has good hands around the basket and moves up the floor at a respectable pace.

Weaknesses: Bachynski lacks explosiveness and lateral speed, which could hamper his defence – and subsequently, his trademark shot-blocking ability – at the pro level. Despite his height, Bachynski was merely an average rebounder at the NCAA level, and especially struggled on the offensive glass. To compete at the pro level, he'll need to bulk up and add strength. Bachynski's age – he'll be 25 when the NBA starts – will likely drive away some interest.

Here's a look at Bachynski in a pre-draft workout:

Draft projection: Late second round to undrafted

MELVIN EJIM

There was no flying under the radar for Melvin Ejim after Feb. 8, 2014. Against TCU, the Toronto native exploded for 48 points and 18 rebounds, setting a Big 12 points record in the process. He finished his senior season averaging roughly 18 points and eight boards per game, and led his Iowa State Cyclones to the Sweet Sixteen, where they fell to the eventual champion UConn Huskies.

Strengths: Ejim is a tenacious offensive threat with a nose for getting buckets. He moves well in transition and cuts hard to open space, setting up high-percentage shots. (Ejim shot 57 per cent on two-point attempts last season.) As a senior, he upped his three-point shot attempts and hit a respectable 35 per cent from beyond the arc. For a six-foot-six forward, Ejim rebounds the ball at an exceptional rate, including 9.3 per game as a junior.

Weaknesses: Ejim is your classic tweener – not big enough to play power forward, not quick enough for the perimeter. He lacks an explosive first step and his handle remains suspect. Though he’s improved his three-point shot, it’ll need continued progress for him to find an NBA home. If Ejim was a couple years younger – he’s already 23 – he’d probably be a lock for the second round.

Here's every basket from Ejim's historic 48-point night:

Draft projection: Late second round to undrafted

SIM BHULLAR

Sim Bhullar is one big dude. Standing seven-foot-five and 360 pounds, Bhullar would become the NBA’s tallest and biggest player if he cracks a roster. More importantly, he would become the first basketball player of Indian descent to play in the NBA. Though he only played two seasons at New Mexico State, and against much smaller competition, Bhullar is such a physical specimen that several NBA teams will give him consideration. That said, he is still very much a work in progress.

Strengths: With Bhullar, his obvious selling point is size. So much of what he does well – getting easy buckets in the paint, grabbing offensive boards and blocking shots – is height-related. Remarkably, he stayed somewhat injury-free in college.

Weaknesses: Bhullar never dominated at the college level. He averaged 10.4 points and 7.8 rebounds per game in a conference where, according to DraftExpress, the next tallest player was a full eight inches shorter than him. Despite the size advantage, Bhullar was never a standout low-post scorer, and smaller defenders pushed him off the block. Conditioning will also be an issue at the pro level.

To get an idea of how Bhullar's height can overwhelm opponents, here’s a mixtape from his high-school years:

Draft projection: Undrafted