Cyclones star guard Lindell Wigginton talks about his options, after entering the NBA draft evaluation process without an agent.
Iowa State guard Lindell Wigginton shoots over Texas Longhorns guard Kerwin Roach II during their game in the first round of the Big 12 Tournament at Sprint Center on March 7, 2018, in Kansas City, Missouri.(Photo: Amy Kontras/USA TODAY Sports)
AMES, Ia. — Lindell Wigginton isn't on the initial NBA Draft Combine invitee list. He's a backup. He might be invited if someone can't make it. There's no promise. No assurance. He's a Plan B or C.
Someone close to the combine situation texted the Register last weekend that Wigginton's combine status was still iffy. Travis Hines of the Ames Tribune tweeted that he's on the stand-by list.
Given all that, an NBA higher-up told me Monday the freshman star should consider immediately emphasizing his allegiance to Iowa State basketball.
"He should say, 'Hey, I'm staying in school. I'm totally committed. I'm two-feet-in at Iowa State.'"
NBA guys don't talk publicly about players they might someday draft. They're not shy, however, in stating opinions on the premise their names aren't used.
"Should he do that? Yes," NBA Guy said. "Chances are not great that he'll be (selected) in this draft. He's on the NBA radar."
Wigginton averaged 16.7 points, 3.7 rebounds and shot 40.1 percent from 3-point range last season. He also committed 92 turnovers and had 88 assists while jockeying between both guard positions.
He's a bit loose with the ball, and for a 6-foot-2 very talented guy with eyes on becoming an NBA point guard — that's not a good ratio.
He's a gifted athlete. At almost 190 pounds, he's tough and aggressive. He's still not a proven point guard.
Nick Weiler-Babb played the position very well until being sidelined with back issues late last season. He ran the point, while Wigginton mostly concentrated on running the floor.
Iowa State's Lindell Wigginton dunks the ball over Oklahoma forward Khadeem Lattin (3) during their game at Lloyd Noble Center on March 2, 2018, in Norman, Oklahoma. (Photo: Mark D. Smith, Mark D. Smith-USA TODAY Sports)
That was his rookie-season specialty. He's a wonderful shooter. He's good at getting to the rim — and people still fawn over his eye-popping dunk over 6-9 Khadeem Lattin at Oklahoma last season.
If anyone had doubts about his athletic ability before then — well, they're gone now.
He's not yet a true point guard. He can develop that. He'll become that, and he'll probably be very good at it.
But he's not there just yet.
"Talent is paramount, but perception is also reality," ESPN college basketball analyst Fran Fraschilla told The Register Monday. "Not a lot of people really know how good a freshman year he had, in part because Iowa State was in rebuilding mode.
"Given the fact that he's not invited to the combine — I would come back for my sophomore year and try to dominate the Big 12. With the improvement of the team next year — that could put him on the national map."
Wigginton told a couple reporters in early April that his desire is to play in the NBA, not the NBA's G-League.
What if you were told that you'd be an NBA G-Leaguer next season?
"Then Iowa State," Wigginton said. "I don't want to play in the G-League.
"My goal is to play in the NBA — and stay in the NBA. I don't want to go to the G-League.
"If it comes to that choice — I'm obviously coming back to school."
Wigginton didn't grow up wanting to be a G-Leaguer. He grew up wanting to be the first guy from Nova Scotia to play in the NBA.
The G-League isn't a life sentence. Monte Morris played most of last season in the G-League — and earned well over $200,000. Same for Georges Niang and Naz Mitrou-Long.
Reaching the NBA is a process, unless you're a top 10 or so draft pick. Prohm is good at developing NBA point guards. He did it at Murray State with Isaiah Canaan and Cameron Payne — both of whom are NBA veterans. He coached Morris during his final two Iowa State seasons. All three played as seniors.
Wigginton isn't at that level yet. He probably needs at least one more college season, but there's nothing wrong with testing the NBA waters.
"Very few in the (NBA) have the Monte Morris, pass-first point guard makeup," Fraschilla said. "You need dynamic scoring from as many spots on the floor as possible. Lindell in the process of proving to people that he can score.
"I still think it would benefit him to come back – get in the gym and polish up his game."
Wigginton was smart in tossing his name into the NBA Draft hopper. He was smart in not hiring an agent. He was smart to continue working out with his teammates inside Iowa State's Sukup practice facility.
NBA Guy and Fraschilla says he'd be smart to return for his sophomore season, too.
Iowa State columnist Randy Peterson has been with the Register for parts of five decades. Randy writes opinion and analysis of Iowa State football and basketball. You can reach Randy at rpeterson@dmreg.com or on Twitter at @RandyPete.
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