The Indiana Pacers are showing interest in a local product, according to J. Michael of the Indianapolis Star. Indiana will meet with New Albany native and Indiana University standout Romeo Langford this weekend in Chicago:
The @Pacers will meet with Romeo Langford of @IndianaMBB on Friday, I’m told, at the #NBADraftCombine in Chicago. He’s expected be out of the cast on his right thumb next week
— J. Michael (@ThisIsJMichael) May 16, 2019
Romeo Langford, a 6-6 guard and former McDonald's All-American, averaged 16.5 points, 5.4 rebounds and 2.3 assists in his freshman season, though the Indiana Hoosiers failed to make the NCAA Tournament after finishing in ninth in the Big Ten conference and posting a 19-16 record.
Although Langford managed to play in 32 of Indiana's 35 games, it was revealed that he had been playing through significant pain for most of the season, as he had torn a ligament in his right thumb last November which required surgery, forcing him out of the NBA Draft Combine. This is why the Pacers could see value in him on draft night.
Because of the injury, Langford's draft stock has fallen. He had been a projected top-10 pick for the majority of the season, but some mock drafts have him falling out of the lottery. Others still have him as a top-10 selection. Needless to say, there is a lot of uncertainty surrounding Langford's game and health.
The 19-year-old showed a knack for using his athletic frame and plus ball-handling abilities to get into the paint and finish at the rim through contact. Romeo Langford shot over 53 percent on all 2-point attempts.
Alternatively, the youngster shot just 27 percent beyond the arc on close to four 3-point attempts per game. Still, other projected sharpshooters such as Cam Reddish of Duke also struggled to find their range at the college level, and Langford's athleticism and scoring prowess still make him an intriguing talent.
Whether he will be available for the Pacers at No. 18 remains to be seen.
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