Edmond Sumner: Thunder NBA Draft prospect series
Xavier sophomore Edmond Sumner is the next athlete Thunderous Intentions examines in TI’s NBA Draft Prospect Preview.
Edmond Sumner is yet another point guard in the 2017 class which is teeming with talented ones. Sumner’s situation feels like a catch-22 in that he receives raves for his size and body, but that body has held him back because it keeps breaking down.
The questions GMs around the league and Sam Presti will need to ask is does Sumner’s potential outrank his injury history. He’s an inch taller than Fultz who is constantly cited for his length as a point guard. But, the big difference is the consensus number one weighs 15 pounds more than Sumner.
Presumably, this was due to his injuries which didn’t allow him to spend time in the gym and develop his body. The issues have all been knee and leg related which is not a great sign for a guard who’ll need to make constant cuts, change direction and use different speeds. In 2014-15 he suffered from patellar tendinopathy caused from over use of the patella tendon in the knee or better known as jumper’s knee. This past season he suffered a torn ACL in late January.
If Sam Presti needs a excuse not to look at Sumner, the fact Kevin O’Connor lists his ceiling as Semaj Christon might suffice.
Specifics:
Height: 6’5″
Weight: 170 lbs
Wingspan: 6’9″
Position: point guard
Age: 21 years, 5 months
Statline: 15 points, 4.3 rebounds,5.0 assists, 1.3 steals, 0.8 blocks
College: Xavier (Sophomore)
Home Town: Detroit, MIichigan
Current rankings:
Note, rankings are updated on day of writing, and are subject to change.
DraftExpress: 41st
NBA DraftNet: 55th
The Ringer’s Kevin O’Connor: 40th
CBS Sports: 36th
Basketball Insiders: 54th
Skills:
Every review available on Sumner will cite his strengths with descriptive words such as potential, possible, projected, probable, and prospective.
Rarely will you find one item listed without an attached – but—
To wit, Draft Express provides the following:
"While he was a phenomenal athlete before his injury, Sumner’s skill-set hasn’t yet caught up to his physical tools and after just 58 collegiate games, the 21 year old doesn’t possess the same level of on-court experience relative to other players his age. His offensive game isn’t fully refined and coming off substantial knee and shoulder injuries, he will likely need time to develop his point guard skills to lead an offense at the next level."
Weaknesses:
In truth Sumner’s weaknesses read quite similarly to his strengths with plenty of “ifs” and “buts” as the prospect requires growth and refinement in multiple areas. So much will be dependent on his recovery making it difficult to get a accurate projection of his talent.
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Honors and awards:
Big East, All Freshman Team, 2016
Big East, All-Academic Team, 2015
Pro Comparison:
Kevin O’Connor of The Ringer provided a ceiling comparison for each of his prospects. O’Connor’s list pegs Collins ceiling as Tony Wroten, Dejounte Murray, Semaj Christon
The fit:
Sam Presti should avoid Sumner as a potential candidate given OKC ideally want who they draft to be an immediate contributor. Teams with time to allow Sumner to recover or can take a flier on him with the off chance he not only gets healthy, but improves are the only squads who should look at drafting the youngster. There are just too many intangibles for the Thunder to consider him.