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This week, DraftExpress (DraftExpress.com), a noted NBA “draft-site”, released their latest version of their 2018 NBA Mock Draft and one Beavers’ stand-out was listed as a potential, future NBA draft pick. Sophomore forward Drew Eubanks, one of the top returners on Oregon State’s roster this season, was listed as the #38 overall prospect in their version of the 2018 NBA Mock Draft. Eubanks averaged 7.6 PPG and 4.6 RPG as a freshman last season for an Oregon State team that reached the program’s first NCAA Tournament in twenty-six years.
Eubanks, a 6’ 10”, 250 pound native of Troutdale, Oregon, was a four-star recruit coming out of Reynolds High School and signed with the Beavers over the likes of Arizona State, Gonzaga, Portland, San Diego State, Washington and Washington State. With his commitment, he joined the then-highest rated recruiting class in school history, heralded as the 17th best haul in the country by Rivals.com, alongside names like Tres Tinkle, Stephen Thompson Jr. and Derrick Bruce. Out of the four-man group, three players in Tinkle, Thompson Jr. and Eubanks, are projected starters for next season for the Beavers, while Derrick Bruce transferred from the program to continue his career at Northwest Florida State.
One of the unique surprises about Eubanks’ lofty projections in terms of NBA potential is the absence of forward Tres Tinkle from the mock draft, who is projected to be the star of 2016-2017 version of the Beavers. Tinkle was not listed in any of the website’s mock drafts and is listed on the site as the #82 overall sophomore prospect. Tinkle averaged 13.1 PPG, 5.4 RPG and 1.1 APG a season ago and is the team’s leading returnee in all three main statistical categories.
The 2016-2017 season begins for Oregon State on this Friday (November 4th), when the Beavers take on NAIA opponent, Corban University, at 7 PM. The first official regular season game will take place next Friday (November 11th) when the Beavers host Prairie View A&M. That game is schedule for a 6 PM tip-off time and will be televised on the Pac-12 Networks.