The Smoking Cuban
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NBA Draft: 2019 Mock 2.0: If the Dallas Mavericks land in top 4

By Kohl Rast

WASHINGTON, DC - MARCH 31: Zion Williamson #1 of the Duke Blue Devils looks on against the Michigan State Spartans in the East Regional game of the 2019 NCAA Men's Basketball Tournament at Capital One Arena on March 31, 2019 in Washington, DC. (Photo by Patrick Smith/Getty Images)
WASHINGTON, DC - MARCH 31: Zion Williamson #1 of the Duke Blue Devils looks on against the Michigan State Spartans in the East Regional game of the 2019 NCAA Men's Basketball Tournament at Capital One Arena on March 31, 2019 in Washington, DC. (Photo by Patrick Smith/Getty Images) /
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MINNEAPOLIS, MINNESOTA – APRIL 08: Ty Jerome #11 of the Virginia Cavaliers celebrates the play against the Texas Tech Red Raiders in the first half during the 2019 NCAA men’s Final Four National Championship game at U.S. Bank Stadium on April 08, 2019 in Minneapolis, Minnesota. (Photo by Hannah Foslien/Getty Images)
MINNEAPOLIS, MINNESOTA – APRIL 08: Ty Jerome #11 of the Virginia Cavaliers celebrates the play against the Texas Tech Red Raiders in the first half during the 2019 NCAA men’s Final Four National Championship game at U.S. Bank Stadium on April 08, 2019 in Minneapolis, Minnesota. (Photo by Hannah Foslien/Getty Images) /

18. . 22. Ty Jerome. . G. Virginia

If Grant Williams was the best court general in the NCAA this year, I would have to say that Ty Jerome is a close second. Although he was nowhere near the most athletic or talented player on the National Championship team, he was viewed as a leader and an important backbone for the team, especially in the most desperate of situations.

The Celtics would finally be acquiring the point guard that they are looking for here, although Jerome does not really project to being a starter right out of the gate in the NBA. Boston would like to get an insurance policy pick for Kyrie Irving before free agency starts and Jerome is the perfect man for the job.

Jerome was particularly good during his time at Virginia with controlling the tempo of the game. UVA was notorious for playing one of the slowest paces in the league and it is because Jerome understood the strength of his team and executed. He was an excellent passer who committed few turnovers, a great reliable scorer that was never afraid of the big shot and an impressive defender who learned how to stay in front of guys much more athletic than him.

Jerome is one of the highest IQ players in this draft class, but it is countered with perhaps the least athletic frame in the class as well. He has been able to get away with his lack of speed and size by being a smarter basketball player than his opponent, but that probably won’t work as well in the league. He will need to put in a lot of work to get on the court for significant minutes.

Player Comparison: Jason Kidd

My first thought for a comparison was Greivis Vasquez, who was a great passer, serviceable shooter and solid defender despite his limited athleticism, but I think Jerome plays the floor general role more like Jason Kidd. Kidd has a lot of similar attributes as Jerome but was able to be one of the best passers and smartest defenders the league has ever seen.

Next: Utah Jazz