Maryland center Alex Len will visit Cleveland Cavaliers next week, agent says

cavs-len.jpg

Maryland center Alex Len, with ball, will visit the Cleveland Cavaliers before the NBA Draft.

(Patrick Semansky, Associated Press)

CLEVELAND, Ohio -- Maryland center Alex Len is expected to visit the Cleveland Cavaliers next week, apparently after UNLV power forward Anthony Bennett on Monday and Kentucky center Nerlens Noel on Thursday.

Len's agent, Michael Lelchitski, said the 7-1, 255-pound Len would be here ''in about a week.'' He is recovering from ankle surgery and will not work out but will interview. Len, a native of the Ukraine, seems to be moving up the draft boards rapidly. Once viewed as the second-best center available behind Noel, he is now being discussed as a possible No. 1 pick because of questions about Noel's history of knee injuries. The Cavs have the Nos. 1, 19, 31 and 33 picks in the NBA Draft on June 27.

Len, who turns 20 on Sunday, averaged 11.9 points, 7.8 rebounds and two blocks in 22 games for the Terrapins, who finished 17-15. His size is what intrigues scouts, since he is long and mobile with a 7-foot-4 wingspan and is a good athlete who runs the floor well and finishes around the basket. He needs to gain strength, cut down on his turnovers and improve his 59 percent free-throw shooting.

But he has much more of an offensive game than the defensive-minded Noel. In their only head-to-head meeting last season, Len had 23 points, 12 rebounds and four blocks in a 72-69 loss. Noel had four points, nine rebounds and three blocks.

If you purchase a product or register for an account through a link on our site, we may receive compensation. By using this site, you consent to our User Agreement and agree that your clicks, interactions, and personal information may be collected, recorded, and/or stored by us and social media and other third-party partners in accordance with our Privacy Policy.