Where to Next for Hassan Martin and Kuran Iverson?
Hassan Martin and Kuran Iverson's time with a Rhode Island uniform on is unfortunately over. Consequently, the next step in their post-college process is deciding where they will be playing basketball next. Although both players have skill sets that are ready for the big stage in the NBA, neither player is projected to be any of the 60 draft picks in the 2017 draft on June 22, 2017. As a result, there is never a time that is too early to evaluate their options when their senior years are (academically) complete.
Foremost, Martin and Iverson's primary option will be to try to get drafted to an NBA team in June. Although I hope that they both get drafted but going off of current rankings and projections, I am going to assume that neither of them will get selected. Currently on Draft Express, Kuran Iverson ranks as the 32nd best player from a non-power conference and he ranks as the 45th best senior available to be drafted. Meanwhile, Hassan Martin's name does not make an appearance in any rankings that Draft Express has.
When it comes to both of these players, they will need to improve upon the accuracy of their long-range shooting to make it in the NBA. For Martin, he not only needs to improve his accuracy with deep shots but he has a larger obstacle that involves extending his range out to beyond the arc on a consistent basis. Meanwhile, Iverson has shown the capability of hitting shots from anywhere in the gym but he just needs to be consistent and efficient with his long-range shooting.
Furthermore, by the words of NBA scouts and draft experts, teams are worried about Hassan Martin's lack of height as a possible frontcourt player. Keep in mind, at his height of 6'7, teams will be evaluating the Staten Island native as a small forward and not as a power forward. Therefore, there are concerns about his ability to defend on the perimeter as a wing. Given all of his accomplishments as a premier shot-blocker all across the college basketball world, I believe that Martin can learn to guard the perimeter.
On the other hand, aside from the consistency of his shooting, Kuran Iverson needs to make improvements with learning to defend without fouling. Under Dan Hurley, Iverson's defensive game improved dramatically in his two seasons with the Rhode Island Rams but his Achilles' heel was the foul trouble that he often found himself in. In addition, after his disastrous time with the Memphis Tigers, some scouts still have concerns about the Connecticut native's reputation and character. By and large, Iverson has the physical capabilities of being a significant contributor on a NBA team, as long as he does not hold himself back.
Alternatively, Martin and Iverson have the potential to go dominate the leagues in Europe and work their way back on to an NBA team. While this seems the likely scenario for both players in their immediate future, anything is possible.
No matter what Hassan Martin and Kuran Iverson do in the future, they will have the support of the Rhode Island faithful and we wish them the best.
