Sports

In NBA Draft, Dallas Takes St. Louis Park Native Mike Muscala

The 6-11 center from Bucknell University was picked 44th.

(The original version of this story was written by Patch Chris Steller.)


The Dallas Mavericks selected Bucknell center and St. Louis Park native Mike Muscala in the NBA draft Thursday night.

Muscala was born in St. Louis Park on July 1, 1991, although he played for Roseville High School and considers Roseville his hometown.

The Star Tribune reported: 

"With the 44th pick, Dallas took Mike Muscala, a 6-11 center from Bucknell who grew up in Roseville and went to Irondale High school. A two-time Patriot League Player of the Year and two-time Patriot League Tournament MVP, Muscala was also named Honorable Mention All-American by the Associated Press."


SBNation.com sounded a note of caution: 

"Every big man from a smaller conference is bound to face questions about his ability to compete against NBA athletes on a nightly basis, and that's one of the biggest concerns scouts had with Muscala. He posted excellent rebounding and shot blocking numbers at Bucknell, but his lack of premium athleticism will put him at disadvantage on the defensive end in the NBA."


Now he has a chance to answer those questions, bleacherreport.com said:

"Muscala rarely had the opportunity to play against power-conference competition, so his impressive college statistics are tough to project to the next level.

He came up short in in this year's NCAA tournament, but the big man's talent, size and basketball IQ will give him a chance to prove he does belong in the NBA."

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