UMass' Cady Lalanne Hopes Atlantic 10 Title Or NIT Title = High Draft Pick
By Will Connolly
Name: Cady Lalanne
University: Massachusetts Minutemen
Year: Senior
Height: 6-10
Weight: 250 lbs
Hometown: Orlando, FL
Position: Center
In his fourth year out of Oak Ridge High School in Orlando, Florida, Massachusetts senior center Cady Lalanne has seen both his production and his team's production reach new heights each and every season. In his first season with the Minutemen, Lalanne averaged 6.7 points and 5.6 rebounds per game, while helping his team to 21-11 regular season record and a semifinal appearance in the NIT Tournament. In his second season he saw a continued upward trend, as Lalanne boasted numbers of 8.4 points and 7.1 rebounds, while his team achieved the exact same stellar record they did the season prior. His junior season was his most productive yet, as he reached all time highs in points (11.3 per game) and rebounds (7.9 per game), leading his team to their first NCAA Tournament appearance in over 16 years. The Minutemen did fall to the No. 11 Tennessee Volunteers, but reaching the tournament was an accomplishment in and of itself.
The Minutemen have enjoyed their fair share of success in year's past, even making a Final Four appearance with legendary coach John Calipari in 1996. But that was over 20 years ago, and at that time, Lalanne was only 4 years old. Surely, the youngster had no idea he would end up playing for UMass one day, leading the team in points (11.7), rebounds (9.1) and blocks in his senior season. But for Lalanne and his teammates, it looks like this year his team will be one on the outside looking in when it comes to the NCAA Tournament. With key losses to No. 25 VCU, No. 9 Notre Dame and BYU, the Minutemen's resume continues to plummet.
However, there is still hope in bringing home an NIT crown. And that's not the only good news for 6-10, 250 lbs. Cady Lalanne, as he will surely be picked up by one of the struggling NBA teams looking to find the next big star. At this point, Lalanne's just looking to further his draft stock by standing out in the Atlantic 10 Tournament and NIT. What would really impress the scouts is an Atlantic 10 title or a NIT Championship. And if fate were to take over, he might find himself center stage at the NBA Draft holding up a jersey and shaking the hand of the NBA Commissioner.
In a league full of promising young athletes, Lalanne has the body type of a man whose been in the league for multiple seasons. His physique is somewhat reminiscent of another center who plays professionally in Los Angeles. That's right, I'm referring to the dunk-master-flash, DeAndre Jordan. At one inch taller and 15 pounds heavier, Jordan has become well-known for posterizing his opponents with some of the most memorable dunks of all time. If Lalanne can harness his inner Jordan (both Michael and DeAndre), he could become a rising star in a league blossoming with young talent.
