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12 - Eric Mika

6-10, 230 Power Forward/Center
BYU Sophomore
Birthday
01/05/95 (29.2 yrs)
Hometown
Alpine, UT
High School
Lone Peak
Team Site Profile
Statistics
Athleticism
7
Size
8
Defense
7
Strength
8
Quickness
6
Leadership
8
Jump Shot
8
NBA Ready
6
Rebounding
8
Potential
6
Post Skills
7
Intangibles
7
86 Overall:

NBA Comparison: Patric Young

Strengths: An assassin at scoring the rock … This year, he averaged 20.3 points per game … He was also a very solid rebounder at 9.2 rebounds per contest … He is also a very disciplined and efficient scorer … He shot 52 percent from field goal range this year and only attempted one three pointer … He was BYU’s best scorer and even with stout defense all over him, he could find a way to create a shot and get to the rim … He is a good free throw shooter as well, last year going 76 percent from the charity stripe … He shows NBA potential left to develop because he is a big man who can spread the floor and knock down a mid-range jumper just as well as drive to the bucket … He also established himself as a defensive force down low, averaging just under two blocks per game … His size and stature make him dangerous because he can beat you with his quickness but also outwork and bully you down low … Leadership is a quality asset teams look for at the next level and he showed it this season … He became the leader of the Cougars and led by example … All this made him a First Team All-WCC player this year. If nothing else, you have to take away the fact that he can adjust his lifestyle at any moment … He went from full-time basketball player, to two years on a mission trip completely away from basketball, and then right back to basketball this season and he didn’t miss a beat at all … In fact, he came back even better this year than his freshman season two years before … His heart is in the right place, he works very hard at getting better and he doesn’t get in any trouble off the court …

Weaknesses: There are some obvious things to point out with Mika that hurt him … For one, he is already 22 years old as a sophomore … His best option would be to come out now because if he goes to school anymore, his age will make it difficult for teams to get excited about him … There is absolutely nothing wrong with what Mika did, selflessly going on a Mormon mission to Italy, but it made carving out an NBA career more of a challenge … Those two years could have been crucial in developing his body and playing style … He did play in a relatively weak conference for two seasons, granted the West Coast conference has talent, even featuring a National Runner-Up Gonzaga … Not facing off against more consistent, higher level talent may hurt his stock, as will his lack of post season experience/success …

Overall: Eric Mika has the body, physique, traits and skills that will give him a shot to make it in the league … His ability to score in multiple ways makes him a hybrid big man that is now dominating the NBA … Unfortunately for him, his age is a big factor just like any 22-year-old senior would have to deal with and there is nothing he can do about that (but he’s not a senior) … The last BYU player selected in the NBA draft was Jimmer Fredette and though Mika is considered a long shot to be drafted this year, he did receeive an invite to the NBA Draft combine … He can definitely make is as an undrafted player and play some summer league games or impress in the D-League (or G-League?) … Mika is a great person who cares a lot about people, but also cares about his team and being a consummate leader to his teammates … 

Notes: Scored 29 points against the NCAA Tournament team USC and 29 points in a stunning, end of the regular season away victory over the undefeated Gonzaga Bulldogs … Mika has one of the most interesting and action packed lives of all the draftees in this year’s draft. In fact, he has done more interesting things than just about any young person his age. He is already married at age 22 and he participated in a mission trip in Italy for two years between his freshman and sophomore seasons. Quite a guy! From May 14, 2014, served a 2-year LDS Mission in Italy …

Matthew Harvey 5/4/17
 

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