One of the more intriguing players in next week’s NCAA tournament will be Kenneth Faried. The 6-foot-8 senior, who has more career rebounds (1,643) than any player since freshmen became eligible in 1973, is in the tournament after propelling Morehead State to the Ohio Valley Conference title.
In two conference tourney wins, Faried hit 13 of 17 shots, scored 36 points, grabbed 36 rebounds and blocked 13 shots, demonstrating why many compare Faried to another fierce rebounder from a small school, Dennis Rodman (Southeastern Oklahoma State).
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Since Morehead State (24-9) is unlikely to get a seed higher than 14, scouts will get to see Faried against strong competition. NBA scout Ryan Blake says exposure is more critical for prospects from smaller schools.
Blake compares Faried to Paul Millsap of the Utah Jazz, who came out of Louisiana Tech and improved his stock by playing in preseason camps, such as the Portsmouth Invitational.
“As a defender and shot-blocker, those are really key things,” Blake said. “You want to prove those by going to [camps] and doing what he does against the top seniors in the nation. Then he can improve his status and push his way up the first round.”
