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2017 NBA Draft: Cleveland Cavaliers prospect Rawle Alkins impresses at NBA Combine

By Quenton S. Albertie

March 18, 2017; Salt Lake City, UT, USA; Arizona Wildcats guard Rawle Alkins (1) celebrates the 69-60 victory against the Saint Mary's Gaels following the second round of the 2017 NCAA Tournament at Vivint Smart Home Arena. Mandatory Credit: Joe Camporeale-USA TODAY Sports
March 18, 2017; Salt Lake City, UT, USA; Arizona Wildcats guard Rawle Alkins (1) celebrates the 69-60 victory against the Saint Mary's Gaels following the second round of the 2017 NCAA Tournament at Vivint Smart Home Arena. Mandatory Credit: Joe Camporeale-USA TODAY Sports /
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The Cleveland Cavaliers could have a steal if they manage to select the University of Arizona’s Rawle Alkins in the 2017 NBA Draft.

Rawle Alkins of the University of Arizona has been turning heads at the NBA Draft Combine. He’s a in consideration to be a first-round pick in the 2017 NBA Draft but if he slips to the second round and the Cleveland Cavaliers acquire a pick to select him, they’ll have committed grand larceny.

Watching Alkins around his peers, he looks to be an uber-confident player who has an NBA body and impressive athleticism. He recorded a 40.5-inch max vertical leap and although his height, which is 6’2.5″ without shoes, may give some teams pause, he is one of the most NBA ready players in the draft.

Alkins also performed well in the shooting drills at the NBA Draft Combine. He shot at least 60.0 percent from three-point range in all five areas around the arc (corners, above the breaks, the top of the key) in the stationary shooting drills. He also shot well in the non-stationary shooting drills, showing his ability to be efficient when shooting off-the-dribble in the midrange areas.

In the 5-on-5 scrimmage, Alkins looked every bit like the player he was in Combine measurements and testing.

Scoring 18 of his team’s 63 points, Alkins was able to finish above the rim and knock down a couple of shots from behind the line. All in all, Alkins finished the game with 18 points while shooting 5-10 from the field and 2-5 from three-point range. He also had 5 rebounds, 2 assists, 1 steal and 1 block.

He did all this in 21 minutes.

Alkins was also extremely crafty in the halfcourt, aware of how to change his speeds and use his crossover dribble in order to get to the rim. When he plays, he has the New York baller swagger and he looks like a natural.

His feel for the game, his ability to score and his ability to be a tenacious on-ball defender should make him a first-round pick.

He did so well even Lonzo Ball, who is projected to be one of the top three picks of the NBA Draft, took notice:

https://twitter.com/ZO2_/status/862859672004345858

In his recap of the NBA Draft Combine, Sports Illustrated’s Jeremy Woo gave this synopsis of Alkins’ game:

"With a stellar first half and a high score of 18 points in the first game of the day, Alkins continued to make a strong case for himself. His  decision-making, ability to attack the rim and potential to develop into a very good shooter stood out in the combine environment. He’s built some buzz around the league and presently sits in late first round conversations for some teams. Alkins told reporters he’s 50-50 on returning to Arizona. He also posted a 40.5 inch max vertical made all the more impressive given his burly frame."

The Cleveland Cavaliers will hope that Alkins falls to the second round although he’s unlikely to be able in 50-55 range where the Cavs have selected their last two draft picks.

Nonetheless, if I were in the front office I would be trying to make a move to bring yet another Arizona Wildcat on board.

Related Story: Cavs interested in Arizona's Rawle Alkins

What do you think of the University of Arizona’s Rawle Alkins? Let us know your thoughts in the comments section or Twitter @KJG_NBA.