Julian Newman was a highly-touted high school basketball player known for his incredible scoring ability and ball-handling skills. While he received significant attention and generated a lot of buzz, he was not drafted into the NBA.
Here's a breakdown of why:
Why Julian Newman Was Not Drafted
- Height: Newman stands at 5'11", which is considered relatively short for NBA point guards. While his skills were undeniable, his size was a major obstacle in the eyes of NBA scouts.
- Lack of NCAA Experience: Newman chose to forgo playing college basketball, opting to play professionally overseas. This decision limited his exposure to a high level of competition and made it difficult for scouts to evaluate his readiness for the NBA.
- Overall Skill Set: While Newman was an exceptional scorer and ball-handler, he lacked the all-around game that NBA teams typically seek in their point guards. He needed to improve areas like defense, passing, and decision-making to be considered a viable NBA prospect.
Newman's Career After High School
Following his high school career, Newman has played professionally in various leagues around the world. He has also appeared in The Basketball Tournament (TBT). While his NBA dreams may have faded, Newman continues to pursue his basketball career.
Conclusion
Julian Newman's story is an example of the challenges faced by even the most talented young players in pursuing their NBA aspirations. While his lack of drafting may have disappointed some, he remains a talented player who has found success outside of the NBA. His journey serves as a reminder that there are multiple paths to success in basketball, and the draft is just one part of a larger story.