With the 15th overall pick in Thursday’s NBA draft, the Sixers selected 19-year-old power forward Maurice Harkless of St. John’s University.
The 6-8, 208-pound Harkless played only one season with the Red Storm. During that season he averaged 15.5 points, 8.6 rebounds, 1.5 assists, 1.6 steals and 1.4 blocks while shooting 45.2% from the floor. He was also named the Big East rookie of the year, ranking sixth among freshmen nationally in points and second in rebounding.
Harkless started all 32 games with the Red Storm last year as a freshman, scoring in double figures 26 times. Harkless had a career-high 32 points against Providence and also had 30 points and 13 rebounds against Duke. He recorded 11 double-doubles in the season.
CSN Philly wrote the following about Harkless in their scouting report:
Harkless is a smooth player with great athleticism and length, possessing a quick first step which enables him to beat his defender and get to the rim. Shooting from the perimeter, though, is an area he needs to work on. Harkless only made 17 of 79 3-point attempts (21.5 percent) and often struggles to create his own shot or make baskets when pulling up off the dribble. He is a solid rebounder due to his ability to attack the rim but is slight and may need to bulk up in order to bang down low with the bigger bodies in the NBA - especially if he is going to be used at one of the forward positions.
The Queens, New York native is the first St. John’s player to leave early for the draft since 2001.
"I think I'll fit in well," said Harkless. "With the style of the NBA there's a lot of wide spacing, especially on a team like Philly where they have a lot of young guys who like to run and play fast. That's the way I like to play."
Sports
In partnership with NBC Sports Philadelphia
Fan, follow and download: Get the latest from NBCPhiladelphia.com anytime, anywhere. Follow us on Twitter, Facebook and NBC Philadelphia. Sign up for our sports newsletter. And, get breaking news delivered right to your mobile phone -- just text PHIBREAKING to 639710 to sign up. (Message and data rates may apply.)
