Zack Rosen Draft Watch: NBAdraft.net projects 59th pick

We're still more than two months away from the NBA draft, but after two days of competition at the Portsmouth Invitational, Zack Rosen is starting to get some attention.

The latest draft projection from NBAdraft.net has Rosen as the penultimate 59th pick in the draft, going to the Minnesota Timberwolves. Rosen is the only Ivy League player to appear on the board, though for some reason, the website doesn't list his school.

The senior has also made up considerable ground on ESPN draft analyst Chad Ford's projections (Requires ESPN insider). He was listed 152nd on Ford's rankings just two weeks ago. Now he's up to 89th.

Rosen's team lost in the consolation bracket of the Portsmouth Invitational last night. The point guard went 3-for-5 with six points in 23 minutes. He also had two rebounds, two fouls, three assists and a turnover. The Philadelphia Inquirer's Keith Pompey was in Virginia this week and spoke with on NBA draft analyst about Rosen's chances:

"He's a guy that definitely helped himself," NBA draft analyst Jim Clibanoff said.
Clibanoff, however, doesn't think Rosen is talented enough to make an NBA roster through the draft.

"But he definitely is a gritty-enough player, who really competes, really has a good will about him to make his team better," said Clibanoff, who also is the president of ClibHoops, a scouting service used by NBA teams. "Of course, as the level of his teammates increases, will he have that same control over that team?"