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Noel's draft stock unlikely to fall much despite injury

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07:34 PM ET 02.13 | The top of the NBA Draft boards for 2013 were shaken up on Tuesday when Kentucky Wildcats big man Nerlens Noel tore his ACL in a game against the Florida Gators. Noel, the shot-blocking artist who many had atop mock drafts, now looks a bit more risky as the first overall selection. NBA draft experts in ESPN's Chad Ford and DraftExpress' Jonathan Givony believe that NBA general managers will approach selecting Noel with a little more hesitancy because of the injury that could keep him out possibly through December. At the same time, he's still a rare talent and a commodity that is expected to return to full strength despite the significant injury. "At the end of the day, he's still the best big guy on the board," Givony told USA Today. "If you need a center ??? Noel brings dramatically different things (than any other center). GMs are going to want a thorough examination, but I have to imagine he's going to recover and be just fine from this."

USA Today

, Kim Klement-USA TODAY Sports Kim Klement-USA TODAY Sports
Comment #1 has been removed
February 14, 2013  07:28 AM ET

I don't know how you can ignore or discount a torn ACL. He's going to be a year before his knee feels like his own and another year before he has the power he had pre-injury. And that's if he doesn't do anything to re-injure it. I wouldn't want to bet my franchise on him. Good way for a GM to get canned.

 
February 14, 2013  09:33 AM ET

Buyer Beware, Bros.

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