Where the experts are projecting Jordan Nwora to land on NBA Draft night

The 2020 NBA Draft is coming very soon. Where might former Louisville basketball star Jordan Nwora end up?

The 2020 NBA Draft is set to begin this Wednesday, Nov. 18 at 7 p.m. Eastern time. At some point in that night, former Louisville star Jordan Nwora is expected to have his name called from one of 30 NBA teams.

Nwora finished his junior season for Louisville in 2019-20 averaging 18 points per game on 44 percent shooting from the field including 40 percent from three. He also added 7.7 rebounds per game.

Nwora is one of the best players in Louisville’s history. Certainly, he’s one of the best shooters in the program’s 109 years of existence.

He recently competed in the NBA Combine to prove himself worthy of a high pick in the draft. Here’s how he did in a couple of key drills.

Those are some ridiculous numbers for Nwora as he works to increase his draft stock as much as possible in the coming days.

Nwora improved himself dramatically as an athlete and a defender throughout his three years in college. He became a legitimate on-ball defender that could hang with some of the ACC’s best by the time his stint in Louisville was done.

Mock drafts are a staying point this time of the year when the NBA Draft comes around. There are multiple media outlets that put out their thoughts on how the whole night will shake out from picks 1-60.

Let’s see where the mock drafts project Nwora will go.

Bleacher Report: Pick 35, Sacramento Kings (From Detroit Pistons)

This is not a flashy landing spot for Nwora. But, it is one that makes a lot of sense for the 6’7″ forward/guard. Harrison Barnes is the starter there. But, behind him, there is some room for Nwora to make a push as a depth small forward or even a shooting guard.

The Kings have a fair bit of depth, but none of it should scare the team (or Nwora) away from him heading to the franchise to compete for playing time.

CBS Sports: Pick 46, Portland Trailblazers

The Blazers have one of  the best guard tandems in the NBA. However, what they do not have, is a consistent presence at the wing position aside from Trevor Ariza and Rodney Hood. This would be one of the best landing spots in the entire draft for Nwora. There is a path to playing time with his skillset on the Blazers. Although, there may be better places for him to land.

Here’s what CBS Sports columnist Gary Parrish had to say regarding the Nwora selection:

"Jordan Nwora is a wing with size who has consistently proven he can make perimeter shots. There’s a role in the NBA for players described that way."

NBADraft.Net: Pick 50, Atlanta Hawks (From Miami Heat)

This one does not make much sense to me. The Hawks already have a ton of forward depth and just drafted Virginia’s De’Andre Hunter and Duke’s Cam Reddish last year in the first round to play the small forward position. It would not make much sense to add Nwora. If he was drafted this late in the second round by the Hawks, it would be hard to see Nwora cracking the day one roster in 2020-21.

Sports Illustrated: Pick 36, Philadelphia76ers (From New York Knicks)

This pick makes sense as the Sixers need some better wing depth behind Tobias Harris. Nwora’s shooting could allow him to make the day-one lineup for this team. The Sixers need some shooters on their team. Nwora could certainly provide that.

Tankathon.com: Pick 42, New Orleans Pelicans

With Zion Williamson assuming more of a power forward role for the Pelicans, the team could use some depth at wing behind star Brandon Ingram. Ingram is a restricted free agent that will certainly be brought back. If Nwora is drafted here, he could have a spot on the day-one roster. This is another favorable landing spot for him. Louisville fans should be excited if this one comes true.

Overall, Nwora seems to be trending as an early-to-mid second round pick. However, his combine numbers to go along with his much-improved athleticism and defensive game at Louisville could surprise some draft night. Could the star Cardinals forward push his way into the back half of the first round?