He’s certainly not a projected first-round pick, and he may not even get drafted, but Cameron Lard of Iowa State is someone the Utah Jazz should keep their eyes on.
The Utah Jazz have had some recent success with former Iowa State University basketball players in Georges Niang and Naz Mitrou-Long. I think they should consider adding to that list by giving forward Cameron Lard a look.
I don’t think Lard will get drafted. I’m sure many will believe that’s the way it should be, considering he averaged only 5.6 points and 2.8 rebounds per game this season for Iowa State. However, potential is the key thing with Lard. He has great potential, and I think he could become a legitimate NBA player under Utah’s player development staff.
Let’s start from the beginning with Lard. Growing up, he wasn’t around the right crowd – for a hopeful professional hooper, at least. He partied a lot and even had to enroll in a wellness program after being caught speeding, having possession of drugs and being in a bar under-aged.
When he was done with the wellness program, his supporting cast did a good job of making him focus on what’s important: his career. Lard stayed away from the crowd he used to hang around with, and started realizing how good of a basketball player he could become.
Lard still had his struggles at Iowa State, being suspended multiple times due to undisclosed team violations. At least he wasn’t going back to his old habits, though.
Cameron Lard threw down a couple daggers on Kansas State in the final minutes for @CycloneMBB! pic.twitter.com/oxwFS2wf3S
— Stadium (@Stadium) February 16, 2019
During his Freshman season, Lard showed tons of promise on the court. He averaged nearly 13 points, eight rebounds and two blocks per game while shooting over 60 percent from the field. Those are rock solid numbers.
Lard is 6-foot-9 and weighs 225 pounds. He’s naturally a power forward, but I think he can see plenty of time at center in the future. He’s a hard worker and plays with heart. He plays bigger than he is, like Montrezl Harrell and like former Iowa State Cyclone, Jameel McKay.
As mentioned earlier, Lard didn’t have nearly as much success this past season. Now more than ever, though, teams are taking players’ potential into consideration. For instance, the Washington Wizards selected Troy Brown Jr. 15th overall last year more so regarding his potential, not what he did during his lone season at Oregon.
I think a team will take a chance on Lard, whether they draft him or sign him as an undrafted free agent. I think he can definitely make something of himself – especially if he’s under the microscope of a great organization like the Utah Jazz.