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Identifying Potential Health Risks in the 2014 NBA Draft

The 2014 NBA draft comes with plenty of promise. However it comes on the heels of a season marred by injury. The 2013-14 season saw more games lost to injury than the previous five years and was accompanied by a costly price tag. As a result, teams may be paying extra close attention this year to each prospect’s medical history with several noteworthy players carrying red flags.

Joel Embiid, Center, University of Kansas

It starts at the top with center Joel Embiid. InStreetClothes.com has already documented his multiple injuries including the stress fracture in his back and his recent broken navicular bone. Embiid remains as likely top-10 pick but his medical problems appear to have cost him the top overall spot.

Jabari Parker, Forward, Duke University

While Embiid’s injury has garnered most of the headlines, Parker’s injury history cannot be ignored. The Duke product suffered a right foot fracture during the 2012 FIBA Under-17 Championship. The injury affected his conditioning and overall weight and he eventually admitted to rushing back a bit early. Parker also suffered what was believed to be a fractured big toe though a subsequent evaluation failed to discover a break.  He’s still a lock to go in the top three picks but it’s surprising his previous injuries aren’t mentioned more frequently.

Julius Randle, Power Forward, University of Kentucky

Randle’s another case that has been previously discussed here at InStreetClothes.com It has been speculated that Randle’s surgically repaired 5th metatarsal could require an additional procedure this offseason, potentially costing him a chance to participate in Summer League. Randle’s camp continues to dismiss the report but expect the team that drafts him to consider all their options.

Adreian Payne, Power Forward, Michigan State University

The 6’10” senior remains a potential lottery pick though he has several inherent issues. Payne has previously been diagnosed with ADHD but that’s not a major problem. What is concerning is the physical make up of his lungs. Payne’s lungs are physically smaller in size compared to the rest of his body. As a result his lung capacity is lower than normal, causing him to fatigue quicker. He appeared to have control of the issue in college but whether or not it will affect him at the next level remains to be seen. He was also slowed his final season in East Lansing by a case of mononucleosis and missed seven games with plantar fasciitis in his right foot.

Shabazz Napier, Point Guard, University of Connecticut

Napier proved he was comfortable in the spot light, leading UConn to a NCAA title. His injury history shows he’s tough as he’s played through various injuries, including a left foot sprain, a shin contusion, and a left shoulder contusion. However he did miss two games during his junior season with right foot soreness, stemming from offseason surgery to repair a 5th metatarsal fracture, the same injury that has been a concern for Randle. Napier’s foot hasn’t been a problem since but the chances of future complications linger.

CJ Wilcox, Shooting Guard, University of Washington

Like Napier and Randle, Wilcox has previous suffered a fractured 5th metatarsal. Wilcox’s injury occurred during the 2012-13 season, just a year after he missed three games with a stress fracture in his femur. Multiple stress fractures could indicate a biological or biomechanical issue and any team that takes Wilcox will likely investigate the issue further.  Wilcox also missed time during his freshman season with a staph infection in his right hip and a concussion.

Mitch McGary, Power Forward-Center, University of Michigan

McGary would have been a likely lottery selection in last year’s draft but opted to return to Michigan. The year didn’t go as planned as he began experiencing lower back pain early in the season. He missed two games before returning to action. Two ankle sprains and a quad contusion later, McGary’s back again became a problem. The issue was addressed surgically ending his season and collegiate career. Unfortunately McGary’s camp has never publically revealed the nature of the problem, though it’s been speculated to be muscular in nature. Throw in a long-standing battle with plantar fasciitis and his off-the-court issues and it’s easy to understand why he could fall out of the first round. McGary does have one of the more impressive injury notes, having suffered minor lacerations to his shoulder, hand, & neck after shattering a backboard on a dunk attempt.

Russ Smith, Point Guard, University of Louisville

Smith won a title with the Cardinals in 2013 but amassed a myriad of injuries during his collegiate career. Before the start of the 2010-11 season he underwent surgery on both the medial and lateral menisci in one of his knees. He later fractured his 5th metatarsal and missed the first four games of the season following surgery to repair the break. The year would end with him suffering a foot strain, not one, but two concussions, and chronic soreness in his knee. He would add a neck strain, an ankle sprain, and a thumb contusion to the list over the next three seasons. Smith is projected as second round pick but remains one of the riskier selections.

There are plenty of other players with injury concerns of their own but there are just too many individuals to discuss in one place. InStreetClothes.com will provide injury information on each prospect pick-by-pick during Thursday night’s draft. Just follow @RotowireATC on Twitter for the live coverage.