NBA scout: UNLV’s Vaughn a long shot to be drafted in first round
In early February, Rashad Vaughn’s one-and-done plan was coming together. The UNLV freshman guard, who did not dream of becoming a sophomore, was beginning to play his best basketball.
When he scored 30 points in a loss at Colorado State on Feb. 7, several NBA scouts were there as witnesses. On that day, Vaughn was projected by most teams to be a first-round pick.
On Wednesday, almost two months after a knee injury ended his season and with projections placing him somewhere in the second round, Vaughn officially declared for the NBA Draft. He posted a YouTube video that he sent out on Twitter to explain his decision.
“My experience at UNLV has truly changed my life and helped me become a better player on the floor and a better person off of it,” Vaughn said in a statement released by the school. “My teammates became brothers, and my coaches became family. Since being a kid, my dream has always been to play in the NBA, and I have decided to take that next step.”
It’s debatable whether he’s taking a step in the right direction, but Vaughn will get a chance to make his case.
“He was late first round until he got hurt. Now, he’s probably second round,” said a Western Conference scout who followed Vaughn and the Rebels for most of the season.
Vaughn, a 6-foot-6-inch shooting guard from Minneapolis and Findlay Prep, was a 2014 McDonald’s All-American. He was not planning an extended stay in college.
But the decision was complicated after Vaughn suffered a torn meniscus in his left knee on Feb. 10 and underwent surgery Feb. 18. Although he has returned to workouts at full speed, the strength of his knee is a major question that must be answered.
Only first-round picks get guaranteed contracts in the NBA. The scout said Vaughn could move into the first round if he impresses enough teams in workouts leading up to the draft.
“He would have to blow some people away, but it can be done,” said the scout, who spoke on the condition of anonymity. “I like him. I think he’s going to be a better pro.”
Vaughn was most impressive in the three weeks prior to his injury. He averaged 17.8 points in 23 games for the Rebels, shooting 38.3 percent (54 of 141) from 3-point range and making 6 of 10 3s in the game at Colorado State.
He was voted Freshman of the Year by the Mountain West coaches despite missing seven conference games.
“It’s always been a dream of his to play in the NBA, and I think that’s the nature of a lot of young guys now is they want to chase their dream as soon as they can,” UNLV coach Dave Rice said. “We wish Rashad the best. You would always hope your high-level freshmen become sophomores, but the thing I’m very excited about is the core of our team is back.”
One gone and one more to go?
Rice said he received assurances from freshmen Patrick McCaw, Dwayne Morgan, Goodluck Okonoboh and Jordan Cornish that they plan to return next season. One sophomore remains undecided.
In the latest mock draft on DraftExpress.com, Chris Wood, the Rebels’ 6-11 forward, is projected to go No. 26 in the first round, with Vaughn slotted 48th overall in the second round.
A month ago, Wood was widely considered a near certainty to leave after his sophomore season, but now he seems hesitant to take the next step.
By returning to UNLV, the scout said, Wood could be a lottery pick next year.
“Everyone is enamored with his length,” the scout said. “But if he went back, he would raise his stock.”
Wood had a breakout year, emerging as the team’s No. 2 scorer (15.7) and leading rebounder (10.0) while adding 90 blocked shots in 33 games.
Vaughn and Wood each applied for an evaluation from the NBA Undergraduate Advisory Committee, which provides early-entry candidates with information regarding their potential draft status. Vaughn made his decision before receiving an evaluation, which is expected to be available to Wood by next week.
The draft is June 25 in New York, and the deadline for underclassmen to enter is April 26.
Contact reporter Matt Youmans at myoumans@reviewjournal.com or 702-387-2907. Follow him on Twitter: @mattyoumans247.
