Latest Draft Express mock has Celtics taking French center Rudy Gobert at #16

Skeptical about a French guy named Rudy?

The folks at DraftExpress.com have just updated their 2013 NBA mock draft, and they're projecting Boston to grab 7'2" twenty year old Rudy Gobert with the 16th pick.  However, a large part of this is likely due to the fact that 6 other guys the C's have reported interest in are now predicted to go in spots 10-15; Steven Adams, Cody Zeller, Kelly Olynyk, Michael Carter-Williams, Shane Larkin, and Dennis Schroeder.

At 238 pounds Gobert is rail thin for his height, and would clearly need to bulk up in order to play center in the NBA.  He definitely fits into the "project" category, but he also looks a lot more developed than last year's first round big man, Fab Melo.  While his offense is very limited at this point, Gobert's defense is what stands out; he led his "Pro A" French league with 3.2 blocks per game in just 22.7 minutes a night.  But then you also have to wonder, why did he only average 22.7 MPG?

Gobert doesn't have great leaping ability, but he makes up for it with his ridiculous 7'9" wingspan and 9'7" standing reach, both of which are "combine records" according to Draft Express' scouting video.  Notice how he barely even has to jump on a number of dunks in this clip:




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