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Providence’s Ben Bentil is the newest name to enter the 2017 NBA Mock Draft on DraftExpress.com.
The 6-foot-9 Bentil is a sophomore forward now slotted at No. 48.
The reigning Big East Player of the Week, Bentil went for 25 points and 6 rebounds on Tuesday night when No. 10 Providence lost at home to No. 7 Xavier, 75-68.
“He does not even need to think about coming out this year [2016],” one NBA executive said of Bentil. “He’s a nice college player but an under-sized 4 with limited range. He has a long ways to go.”
A second NBA scout was more optimistic: “Tougher, quicker [than his opponents] and coming on faster than just about everyone.”
Bentil’s teammate, junior guard Kris Dunn, is projected as the No. 4 pick in 2016 behind LSU forward Ben Simmons, Duke forward Brandon Ingram and international power forward Dragan Bender.
As for Oregon’s Dillon Brooks, projected at No. 49, the Canadian is averaging 16.2 points and 6.5 rebounds for the Ducks, who visit Arizona Thursday.
One source said “practically the entire league’ has been through Oregon to see Brooks and the team’s other players.
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