Emmanuel Mudiay no longer is one of the top-ranked guards in the nation. He no longer is the guy at the top of draft boards, no longer the guy being likened to some of the games’ top point guards.
Emmanuel Mudiay, the Nuggets’ first-round pick, is starting anew.
“Coming out of high school, I was a top-three prospect, but that’s over with,” he said Friday during his introduction with the Nuggets at Pepsi Center. “Today I’m in the NBA with the Denver Nuggets. Everybody that got drafted is no longer the top player in the country. It’s Day 1. This is when your journey starts. We’re going to see who the best player is in this draft 10 years from now.”
Mudiay has heard the comparisons. He knows he’s been likened to John Wall. And Russell Westbrook. And he knows many have wondered if he or D’Angelo Russell is the best at their position in this draft class.
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“I like people that try to bring the best out of me, and I’m pretty sure all those guys will bring the best out of me. That’s what I’m looking for,” Mudiay said.
Anyone in particular?
“Everybody in the NBA.”
How about Westbrook?
“He’s in the NBA.”
Originally from the Democratic Republic of Congo, Mudiay and his family moved to Texas when he was young and he later committed to play for Southern Methodist University, for former Nuggets coach Larry Brown.
But before stepping foot on the campus, he opted to turn professional and play in China, signing a $1.2 million contract with the Guangdong Southern Tigers in the Chinese Basketball Association.
He averaged 18 points, 6.3 rebounds, 5.9 assists and 1.6 steals in 12 games with Guangdong, a stint that was cut short because of an ankle injury. He could have left when he was injured. He was given the option by the team.
“I told myself, ‘I’m not a kid anymore. I’m a professional. So the best thing I can do is stay and fight through,'” he said.
In Denver, general manager Tim Connelly and coach Mike Malone say they plan to use Mudiay and point guard Ty Lawson together in spurts. That is, if the Nuggets keep Lawson.
“People automatically assume when you draft a point guard that means that Ty Lawson has to go,” Malone said. “Ty Lawson’s a very talented player, third in the league in assists per game last year. We envision the possibility of playing both him and Emmanuel at times, and they’ll be a very tough lineup to defend.”
Mudiay knows he’ll have to earn his spot, and he says he’s willing to play as much and wherever Malone believes he’ll be most effective.
He just wants to win.
“Losing makes me sick,” he said. “I can’t stand it. If I’m not winning, I’m not happy.”
Nicki Jhabvala: njhabvala@denverpost.com or
