Draft Profile: Workhorse Victor Oladipo

In the run-up to the 2013 NBA Draft on June 27, the BDD staff will be profiling several projected lottery picks and other draft entrants. Next up: Victor Oladipo.

Victor Oladipo was the best player on an Indiana team that spent a lot of time ranked No. 1 in the country last season. (detroitnews.com)

Position: Shooting Guard
College: Indiana
DraftExpress Prediction: No. 5 in first round and No. 5 overall to the Phoenix Suns

Synopsis: Cody Zeller drew all of the attention at Indiana before the season started, but since then junior Victor Oladipo stole the show nationally as a national player of the year candidate for the Hoosiers. The 6'4" guard improved in nearly every statistical category from his sophomore to junior campaign, some of the improvements vast, which gives hope to the potential that he could still reach. Oladipo averaged 13.6 points per game last season while shooting a remarkable 59.9 percent from the floor and 44.1 percent from 3-point range, which is up from the 10.8 ppg, 47.1 percent from the field and 20.8 from behind the arch as a sophomore. He is also a tremendous rebounder, averaging 6.3 boards per game, and watching him last year it felt like he was all over the court on defense, leading to 2.2 steals per game.

Oladipo is an efficient workhorse, but don't let that overlook his athleticism. He is a gifted athlete, with a max vertical at the NBA combine of 42" and a 3/4-court sprint time of 3.25 seconds. Still, teams should take comfort in the fact Oladipo does not look like a guy who will need constant motivation to go all out. The team that drafts him will be getting a guy who will bring high energy and a consistent presence to the court and be able to play strong defense, not to mention an efficient and effective scorer on the offensive end.

Quote to note:  “His work ethic is unbelievable. When it is the day before a game, the day after a game, he is going to bring the same work ethic, the same energy. He does not approach anything like it is an off day. It made us a better team this year. It becomes something that everyone on the team really picks up on. Whatever team he goes to, whatever team he is on next year, it will make them better, too.” - former Indiana teammate Cody Zeller via Sporting News.

Follow @BeatsDimesDrive on Twitter
Like Beats Dimes and Drives on Facebook