Nerlens Noel: Karl-Anthony Towns is No. 1 pick in NBA draft

That’s Wildcat pride for sure.

With this year’s NBA draft becoming the story of Jahlil Okafor versus Karl-Anthony Towns, Philadelphia 76er Nerlens Noel sees the University of Kentucky star going No. 1.

“He’s No.1,” Noel, a former Wildcat himself, said on Friday morning during his media availability for Jr. NBA and Jr. WNBA 2015 at Philippine International Convention Center.

“I’ll probably go Towns,” he said.

Noel, who was touted to be the No. 1 pick in 2013 until he fell down to No.6, said Towns had a more well-rounded game than Duke’s Okafor.

“He’s more versatile, shot a little bit, also, he can pass,” Noel said. “He’s more of a well-rounded player.”

Towns and Okafor are both 6-foot-11 big men and declared for the 2015 NBA Draft after spending one year in their respective universities.

Okafor is regarded as the best low-post operator in his batch while Towns is considered a defensive gem with a little more upside in offense.

Noel, even though he picked Towns, does not discount Okafor.

“Okafor is a great player,” Noel said. “Wherever they go in the draft, they are gonna have great careers.”

Noel is in the country to coach the participants in Jr. NBA and Jr. WNBA, an annual event that puts kids in camps where 15 of them, 10 boys and five girls, will be chosen to represent their countries in the culmination.

Better players, individuals

Noel, who also attended similar camps when he was younger, said Jr. NBA and Jr. WNBA help hone kids to become not only better players, but also better individuals.

“This helped me in so many ways, just by learning how hard you need to work, actually hearing from people who’ve been through it. Tell me firsthand how hard I need to work every day, staying positive, respectful, just being a good student of the game.”

And just as he learned from the camps as a kid, Noel has transitioned to teach younger ones.

He even took it upon himself to become one of the mentors of teammate Joel Embiid.

Embiid, who was drafted in 2014, did not play in his rookie season just like Noel after he got injured.

Noel only came to play in the NBA for the 2014-2015 season after being sidelined with injury.

“It’s great being able to mentor him a little bit. I was able to help him in transitioning to the NBA,” Noel said.

“Just how to carry himself—he’s been great on his own.”

Noel and Embiid are set to make a formidable duo up front for Philadelphia in hopes of turning another dismal season in the NBA.

Despite their 18-64 2014-2015 season, Noel is optimistic of their upcoming campaign.

“We’ve got something special coming.” RC