Suns Draft Profile: Victor Oladipo

Arizona Sports News online

Is Victor Oladipo number five?

According to many experts and mock drafts, this is the player the Phoenix Suns will draft is the 6-4, 213 pound guard out of Indiana. He bursted out onto the scene for the Hoosiers last season as one of the most dynamic players in college basketball in about every facet of the game. Cody Zeller was the big name going into the season, Oladipo was the face of the time once March Madness rolled around.

Under the leadership of Oladipo, Indiana has their most successful season in years as they were pre-season number one and held the number one ranking for a large part of the season. He averaged 13.6 points, 6.3 rebounds and 2.2 steals per game and shot about 60% from the field. He did all that while guarding the toughest perimeter player on the opposing team every game.

Career Highlights: An AP First Team All-American pick as a junior and the Sporting News National Player of the Year. Also a finalist for the Wooden Award and the Oscar Robinson Trophy. Named NABC Co-Defensive player of the year and Big Ten Defensive Player of the Year. Ranks third at Indiana in career steals (161) and scored 1,117 points, ranking 37th all-time at IU.

Strengths: Strong and fluid athlete with an exceptional motor. Has great length. Gifted defender both on the ball and in the passing lanes. Extremely tough and competitive. Has improved as a perimeter shooter.

Personal: Played at a high school program (DeMatha Catholic) that has produced 13 NBA players including Keith Bogans, Sidney Lowe, Danny Ferry and Adrian Dantley.

Stats and accolades provided by the Phoenix Suns