Thunder general manager Sam Presti was among the NBA personnel that recently watched Brewster Academy guard Jalen Lecque play in person, according to Adam Finkelstein of ESPN.
The five-star high school recruit is currently signed with N.C. State but is reportedly considering forgoing his college eligibility in order to enter the 2019 NBA Draft, according to Jonathan Givony of ESPN.
Lecque is currently playing in the 2019 National Prep Championship in Connecticut where Presti and a handful of other NBA personnel were scouting the 6-foot-4 guard.
The 18-year-old is widely considered one of the best athletes in high school, according to a profile by ESPN. He has often drawn comparisons to Russell Westbrook and Damian Lillard due to his athleticism.
Although Lecque still needs work on his jump shot, he is projected to have significant upside as an NBA prospect. Lecque told ESPN in an interview that he will weigh his options after his season ends but many believe he will enter the draft if he receives a first-round grade.
Lecque is still considered a raw prospect so a year at the collegiate level may ultimately work in his favor. Despite that, the guard is still drawing plenty of attention and is already on the radar for many teams, including the Thunder.
Oklahoma City currently has its first-round draft pick for this year’s draft, which projects to be in the 20’s. They owe their second-round pick to the Charlotte Hornets from the trade involving Hamidou Diallo.
With Presti in attendance scouting Lecque, it could signal the team has high interest in the guard or it could just be Presti and the front office doing its homework.
The Thunder did not have a first-round pick last year.
