When the NBA draft rolls around on June 22, WVU fans might want to tune in - at least for the second round.
"Nate Adrian has been getting a little NBA buzz," said Mountaineer basketball coach Bob Huggins on Tuesday. "Some people in the league have been talking to our assistants. The word is 'intriguing.'"
Huggins said considering Adrian's body of work, his endless hustle and work ethic, he's not all that surprised.
"He's a 6-foot-9 guy who can guard multiple positions and make open shots," shrugged the coach.
There is a slight hangup. As was reported here on April 8, Adrian had shoulder surgery that prohibited him from coaching Scott Long's AAU team in Charleston. It was later reported he had a torn labrum that will keep him in a sling for six weeks.
"The shoulder wasn't good," Huggins said, "but he'll have a full recovery."
Another source said Adrian could be drafted in the second round, go to the Developmental League for a year and then given a closer look in 2018.
My understanding is if a team drafts a player and issues a "tender" - which is a predetermined contract - even if the player doesn't sign and plays in the D-League or abroad, that team holds his draft rights in perpetuity.
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While on the subject of hoops, I asked Huggins about his recruiting calendar. Wednesday ends the NCAA recruiting period and sends all into the April 20-July 5 "quiet period," which only allows some weekend evaluations.
"We haven't really done much," said the coach. "We have a young team."
Indeed, WVU will welcome five new players next season: small forward Wesley Harris, shooting guard Teddy Allen, point guard Brandon Knapper, small forward D'Angelo Hunter and four-star power forward Derek Culver. The latter, of course, was suspended for part of last season by his high school coach in Warren, Ohio, in the name of academics. But when Huggins was asked if Culver would be on the Mountaineer roster, he said, "yes, that's the plan."
Some readers have inquired about that plan. With five incoming recruits, WVU would have 14 scholarship players, one over the limit with Adrian, Teyvon Myers, Tarik Phillip and Brandon Watkins departing.
Huggins didn't discuss it, but word is there are many scenarios that may occur. First, big man Elijah Macon could graduate and decide to pursue a pro career overseas. His mother tragically passed away in 2014 and family concerns could come into play.
If Macon returns, Culver could end up at a prep school for a year, a la Knapper. And then, of course, there's always the possibility of academic issues and transfer surprises. (Of the latter, though, Huggins said "as far as I know everyone is sticking.")
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Enthusiasm, by the way, continues to grow within the Mountaineer basketball program - especially if Huggins can add another impact player to the 2018 class to go with already-committed guard Jordan McCabe.
Consider after this coming season, the only projected losses are Jevon Carter, Dax Miles and Macon. Back will be Esa Ahmad, Sagaba Konate, Lamont West, Maciej Bender, Beetle Bolden, Chase Harler and the newcomers.
And who could join McCabe in that 2018 class?
There are possibilities like...
n Taelyr Gatlin, a 6-2 point guard from Brighton High in Tennessee. The long guard was touted to be the top 2018 player out of Memphis before moving with his father, who now coaches the Brighton team.
n Torrence Watson, a 6-5 shooting guard from Whitfield High in Missouri. All he did in his district championship was score 44 points, grab 10 rebounds and make three steals. He's said to already hold offers from WVU, Missouri, Kansas State and Marquette.
n Benson Lin, a 6-4 guard from Wesley Christian in Kentucky. Called "the next Jeremy Lin," he's a Taiwanese standout that scored 29 points on 6-of-8 shooting from 3-point land in an upset of Huntington Prep. He's reportedly been to WVU twice already.
n Jordan Miller, a 6-4 wing from Loudoun Valley in Virginia. Whispers are some on WVU's staff really, really like Miller, the Virginia High School League 4A Player of the Year as a junior.
n Brendan Adams, a 6-3 point guard from Calvert Hall College High School in Maryland. He's been on colleges' radars since the 2013 Nike Invitational.
The Mountaineers are on all. Stay tuned.
Contact Mitch Vingle at 304-348-4827 or mitchvingle@wvgazettemail.com. Follow him on Twitter @MitchVingle.