In a new mock draft, the Los Angeles Lakers are predicted to select a college player similar to former Laker Kyle Kuzma.
Bleacher Report’s Jonathan Wasserman issued his pre-draft lottery mock draft, which has the Lakers selecting Kobe Sanders, a wing player from Nevada.
“Kobe Sanders was an easy standout at the Portsmouth Invitational, and now an invite to Chicago for Elite Camp seems likely. A 6’9″ three-level shotmaker who averaged 4.5 assists should draw attention. He won’t test well athletically, but he possesses a shoot-create-pass skill set that suggests enticing versatility,” Wasserman wrote in his mock.
6’9 PG Kobe Sanders is one of the most underrated players in the 2025 NBA Draft
For the season Sanders averaged 16/4/5 and shot 46% from the field for Nevada
Sanders was one of the most efficient PNR players in the country at 6’9 shooting 51% on PNR shot attempts, Sanders was… pic.twitter.com/ELGP3MydEp
— KJ (@KJ__Hoops) May 1, 2025
Sanders is a native of San Diego who played as a guard in college and is now entering the draft as a senior at 22 years old.
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He spent four years at Cal Poly Pomona before transferring to Nevada for his final year of eligibility.
This past season at Nevada, he averaged 15.8 points, 3.9 rebounds, and 4.5 assists, shooting 46 percent from the field and 34.2 percent from three.
Made a statement. Left no doubt. ⌚
Kobe Sanders turned heads at the 2025 Portsmouth Invitational Tournament — elite size, smooth skill set, and undeniable playmaker energy.
The buzz is building. The rise is real. 🚀 🏀@KobeSanders3#PIT2025 #NBADraft pic.twitter.com/eIVLvjOSgn
— On Time Agency | We Are Player-Driven (@ontimeagencygrp) April 21, 2025
He is set to attend the NBA Draft Combine to get a chance to measure his skills and see him play in 5v5 scrimmages against other top prospects.
During his senior year, he achieved 4.6 win shares for the season and recorded a BPM of 7.0, highlighting that he was a highly effective and productive player in his final year of college.
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When watching the way Sanders plays, he does have a similar build to Kyle Kuzma, but he already has a feel for the game that Kuzma never developed.
Sanders possesses an exceptional feel for the game on both ends of the court, effectively reading defenses and processing on-court information quickly. He has a smooth, high-arching jump shot that could eventually yield a high percentage of 3-pointers, upon which his success will likely depend.
There are physical limitations to his game; however, he lacks the burst to get past players in the NBA, and his measurables are poor, as he stands at six feet nine inches tall with a similar wingspan.
His lack of height will make it challenging for him to defend effectively against taller and longer wing players in the NBA. Additionally, his slender frame will need development to handle NBA physicality.
Nevada’s Kobe Sanders an early Portsmouth standout, making a case for an invite to Elite Camp in Chicago. Scored 29 on 11-19 yesterday. NBA-sized SF at 6-9, one of the NCAA’s best pullup shooters (46%) + efficient PnR ballhandling wings. Evident playmaking feel, averaged 4.5 APG pic.twitter.com/hqKETgsnua
— Jonathan Wasserman (@NBADraftWass) April 18, 2025
His physical profile grades him as a second-round player, especially since he is already 22 years old and will have less development time than other younger players.
He has a solid foundation in his game that could enable him to contribute to the Lakers, particularly since Lakers star Luka Doncic himself has experience overcoming athletic limitations to succeed in the NBA.
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