Embiid Had Back Issues in High School

When I first heard that Joel Embiid would miss the Big 12 Tournament and likely the first round of the NCAA Tourney, I didn’t think it would ultimately affect his draft status.  Other bigs like Andre Drummond and Jared Sullinger have recently suffered back injuries and came back to put up some great numbers, especially Drummond who missed almost two months last season with a stress fracture.  I didn’t think that Embiid’s current injury would matter in the eyes of NBA front offices.  

Now I’m more concerned, and I bet that the NBA teams that have a chance to land a top pick in the upcoming draft are worried too.  Embiid’s high school coach, Justin Harden of The Rock School in Gainesville, Florida, said that Joel started having back stiffness at the end of his final high school season last year.  Embiid also suffered from back spasms during the Nike Hoop Summit.  

www2.kusports.com/news/2014/mar/12/prep-coach-embiid-had-back-pain-last-year-too/

We tend to overreact to small sample sizes when evaluating college prospects.  Remember when Glen Robinson III was ranked 6th overall early this season?  That said, in this snapshot in time, Joel Embiid’s stock has dropped slightly.  Wiggins stock has increased, Parker’s stock has increased, and Dante Exum could be the biggest winner if Embiid continues to have back issues or decides to return to Kansas for another season.