Sixers take another 1-and-done guard, grabbing Springer at No. 28 originally appeared on NBC Sports Philadelphia
For a second consecutive season, the Sixers decided to stay put in the NBA draft and select a one-and-done guard.
The team took Jaden Springer with the 28th pick in Thursday night’s draft.
The 18-year-old Springer averaged 12.5 points, 3.5 rebounds and 2.9 assists at Tennessee. He’s a strong, athletic player with a solid defensive foundation. Springer posted a 2.7 steal percentage and 2.0 block percentage in college.
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Springer shot the ball well last season, making 43.5 percent of his three-pointers and 81 percent of his free throws. However, he appears to have room to develop as a shooter, since his jumper is not the most fluid.
Jared Butler, the Most Outstanding Player of the Final Four, and Miles McBride from West Virginia were among the other players available at No. 28 that would’ve made sense for the Sixers on paper.
At the NBA draft combine, Springer measured in at 6-foot-3 without shoes and 202 pounds with a 6-7.75 wingspan. As long as the Sixers keep him through draft night, he’ll overtake Tyrese Maxey, the team’s selection at No. 21 last year, as the youngest Sixer.
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Springer, Maxey, Matisse Thybulle, Shake Milton, Isaiah Joe and Paul Reed are all 24 years old or younger.
At the moment, the Sixers also hold picks No. 50 and 53 in the second round.