By Cardell Dudley
It has been one hell of a ride for James Michael McAdoo. Emerging at Norfolk Christian High School (VA) as one of the top prospects in the country after averaging 21.6 points and 8.1 rebounds per game as a senior back in 2011, the 6'9 forward was coveted by the University of North Carolina where he ultimately committed to. It appeared that McAdoo was on the fast track to the NBA, as he was predicted to have a stellar career at UNC before becoming an almost certain NBA top 10 pick. Not so fast. Inconsistent play and falling below expectations as a team due to to a number of reasons would haunt McAdoo throughout his career. He would finish with respectable averages of 11.4 points and 5.9 rebounds before declaring for the 2014 NBA Draft after his junior season, however the scouts weren't convinced he had turned the corner. McAdoo would go undrafted before signing and then later being waived by the Golden State Warriors after summer league play. In November, the NBA D-League Santa Cruz Warriors would sign McAdoo to help upgrade their frontcourt, ever since then McAdoo has been on a mission. McAdoo is averaging 17.9 points on 58% shooting, 8.7 rebounds and 2.6 blocks per game for the 11-7 Warriors. And as I have been told constantly by NBA scouts, "Some players just need a little time to develop into the players they are capable of being. That's what the D-League is for." McAdoo is proving to be a very good product of that statement. At this rapid rate of improvement, a call-up for McAdoo is looking more and more like a certain thing. Take a look at McAdoo's 25 point and 13 rebound performance against the Fort Wayne Mad Ants below.