May 17, 2017 4:04 PM
Sindarius Thornwell and PJ Dozier have been regular presences in NBA mock drafts since the middle of the season. They both participated in the NBA Combine last week.
They’ve only got a little more than a month before they find out where they’ll get their first shot at professional basketball.
Both former Gamecocks appear in several of the higher-profile mock drafts online. Only NBADraft.net has one as a first-rounder, Dozier 28 to the LA Lakers. That projection also has the most favorable landing spot for Thornwell.
NBADraft.net
Dozier, No. 28, Los Angeles Lakers
Thornwell, No. 38, Chicago Bulls
Dozier, No. 50, Philadelphia 76ers
Thornwell, No. 52, Washington Wizards
Dozier, No. 47, Indiana Pacers
Thornwell, No. 57, Brooklyn Nets
The last time USC had two players taken in the same draft was 1984, when Jim Foster went in the fifth round and Brad Jergenson went in the eighth. The last Gamecocks duo to go in the top two rounds was 1968, when Gary Gregor and Skip Harlicka were in the top 13 picks.
Thornwell was an all-around statistical force last season, averaging 21.4 points, 7.1 rebounds, 2.8 assists and 2.1 steals, often defending players far larger than him, winning SEC Player of the Year and leading South Carolina to its first Final Four. He’s been compared to former Virginia guard Malcolm Brogdon.
Dozier is a 6-foot-6 point guard with the length to be a good defender on the next level. His shooting will be a question (under 30 percent from 3 in college), but a team could make a bet on his ceiling if that can develop.
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