[alingeParticipant]

Trevor Mbakwe playing really nice at the moment against Cody Zeller, I was wondering if anyone thinks he could make it in the league, definitely the type of player you root for after coming back from all those injuries.

[MkadozaParticipant]

Absolutely. Very Lavoy Allen-esque in his workman like production. The Knicks could REALLLY use a player like him, instead of trading Ronnie Brewer to get Kenyon Martin.

[rileymcshea3Participant]

Speaking of the Ronnie Brewer trade does any one know the Knicks record with him in the starting lineup compared to with Amare in the starting lineup?

[phila9012Participant]

Yea, I think he could be solid 5th bigman on any team, and his hustle and character after overcoming all those injuries should help him make an NBA roster, and be a player like jeff adrien.

[The8thDeadlySinParticipant]

I think he projects as a Nick Collison type player. I think Collison is a little bit bigger but depending on how Mbakwe deals with constant knee issues and things of that nature, he could be a very productive bench player.

[GlenTaylorSucksParticipant]

Just throwing this out there…he’s 24 (close to 25), his ceiling is a bench big. And he’s been in and out of jail (and injured) for his entire college career. That said, he’ll find a place in the NBA as a banger off the bench

[phila9012Participant]

Not to be a d1ck but he just turned 24, so 11 months isnt almost 25. also if you google trevor Mbakwe jail it says he avoided it, he got probation. The injured part you got right though. Next time a quick google would work to make sure you are saying facts. This was not meant to be a mean spirited response, it was meant to be honest and helpful

[NYBALLASParticipant]

Im sry but regardless if he just turned 24 or is 24 and 3/4 fact is hes 24 lol in a college game where the elite players and nba prospects are juniors at most and if hes playing an all sr.team they’re mostly still 22 so hes still got a 2yr age gap at the very least and from a physical standpoint thats hugeee unless hes goin up against a legit nba prospect in which case theyr prob just way more talented. Then you throw in the constant injury problems and off court issues i really just dont see this guy in the league during the season. Maybe he gets a training camp invite but not a season roster spot. I mean his body has already filled out pretty much and his competition is still like Anthony Davis skinny ij most cases so how could he not look good against them.

[BothTeamsPlayedHardParticipant]

His age is not an issue. In 2010-11, Trevor Mbakwe led the Big Ten in rebounds (a league that had Sullinger, JaJuan Johnson, Draymond Green, and Jon Leuer), was 2nd in offensive rebounds, 5th in blocked shots, 6th in FG%, and 14th in scoring. He did so mostly under the radar, and chose to return. He started out the next season playing at an All-American level prior to tearing his ACL, which basically forced him return if the NCAA would grant him the sixth year. Now that he has regained most of his conditioning, mobility, and athleticism after the surgery, he leads the Big Ten in rebounding and offensive rebounding, is 3rd in blocked shots, 5th in FG%, and 25th in scoring while playing 3 fewer minutes per game. All he has proven the past couple months is that he is the same great athlete, smart defender, and worker that he was two years ago. He gave Jared Sullinger fits. When nba.com writes up Mike Muscala as a legit draft prospect and Mr. Efficiency, it should be worth noting that Mbakwe had his way with him a year ago prior to the injury. While he wasn’t always matched up on Cody Zeller last night, he got the better of him (though to be fair Zeller played well in the first meeting). When Mbakwe has been healthy over the past three years, he has always showed himself to be an NBA-caliber player, and this is a draft where there simply aren’t very many players who have ever done so at the college level.

[PootyTangParticipant]

don’t forget, this site had him projected as a late lottery pick before he tore his ACL last year

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