Seasoned pro Emmanuel Mudiay could be Sixers' pick

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It is not a foregone conclusion that the Sixers will add D'Angelo Russell to their team when they pick at No. 3 in next month's draft. Russell is the popular choice when people discuss what the Sixers will do. But other scenarios could come about.

The presumption is that the Timberwolves and Lakers, who pick No. 1 and No. 2, will take Karl-Anthony Towns and Jahlil Okafor in either order.

Lakers general manager Mitch Kupchak said last week that the upcoming season would be Kobe Bryant's last. Kupchak could opt to draft a guard at No. 2 knowing a perimeter spot is opening up on his roster.

Let’s say Russell is gone, and the Sixers still want to fill their need at point guard. In that case, Emmanuel Mudiay is their guy.

While Russell was grooming his game this past season playing at Ohio State, Mudiay was playing professional basketball in China for the Guangdong Southern Tigers.

Mudiay, who is 19 years old, says the experience of playing against men was a challenge that benefited him greatly.

"The physicality of the game over there was ridiculous," Mudiay said last week while attending the NBA draft lottery. "The first game I played was against Beijing and Stephon Marbury. I was getting clotheslined and pushed all over and got no calls. After that, I approached it a different way.

"In my second game I bounced back and had a real good game. I had good games up until my injury and then when I got hurt I decided to stay out there and train and rehab."

Mudiay twisted his right ankle one month into his season. At the time of the injury, the 6-foot-5 guard was averaging 17.7 points, 6.0 rebounds and 5.9 assists.

Mudiay, who was born in the Democratic Republic of Congo but grew up in Texas, stayed overseas to do his rehabilitation.

"I was in the weight room a lot, keeping my strength up so when I came back I was prepared," he said.

Mudiay returned to the hardwood in the playoffs when his team trailed Beijing 2-0 in a best-of-five series. Mudiay scored 24 points in Game 3 and the Tigers won, but Beijing rattled the young point guard in Game 4. They forced Mudiay into six turnovers and 5-of-14 shooting.

Mudiay's season in China was over, and his eyes turned to the NBA draft.

"I like to be a leader," Mudiay said. "I am a determined guy. I will do whatever the coach needs or whatever my team needs at a particular time. I try to get to the basket as much as I can. Winning is the main thing for me — I just like to win."

Some compare Mudiay to John Wall of the Wizards. If that comparison proves true, few fans would be upset if the Sixers did indeed pick the lesser-known point guard.

Unlike Russell, Mudiay is not a reliable outside shooter. Mudiay shot 34.1 percent from behind the arc in his 12 games while Russell shot 41.1 percent from three-point range during his 35 games with the Buckeyes.

Mudiay makes up for his lack of outside shooting by attacking the basket.

"I feel like the NBA style is perfect for my game," he said. "Teams run different offenses, but at the end of the day it is still basketball. Running is my style, but I don't know where I am going yet and if they like to run."

The Sixers like to push the pace, so Mudiay would be right at home. Russell may be the popular choice at No. 3, but based on his talents, the mystery man could very well hear his name called instead. For Sam Hinkie, it is all about optionality.

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