Why Willie Cauley-Stein Never Unlocked His Potential! Stunted Growth

In a sport like basketball dominated by giants the higher you measure off the ground greatly increases your chance to first be really good on the ammeter level, as not many can match you physically being closer to the rim and requiring less effort to meet the ball at its highest point to either score or defend the basket. Making the NBA for a guy 7ft is usually a cake walk, and rightfully so because every professional team is looking for every advantage they can get when jobs are on the line daily. But just getting to the NBA shouldn’t be enough for a competitor who has enough confidence to feel he can not just dominate the expected, but do it against other giants that enjoyed the same journey as they did to the highest level. Willie Cauley-Stein many believe did not unlock his potential once he got to the NBA, and it led to a 7 year career where he played for 5 different teams, signed on to a 6th but never played a game fore them, and was out the league at 28 and of to explore the world of basketball globally. What happened? Why Willie Cauley-Stein Never Unlocked His Potential! Stunted Growth
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🎥 Stunt#1: 4:18
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🎥 Stunt#3: 8:46
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[@stuntedgrowth]

What was Cauley Stein's main issue in the NBA?

[@jwane7231]

Never improved his offensive game.

[@CasterShellz]

JaVale McGee 2.0. Solid player who was always just a solid player but people put unfair expectations on him due to his freak athleticism.

[@andrebryant5081]

Not even being a poor man McGee and Deandre Jordan. Like at 7'0 230-250 super athletic should easily be a 12 points 7 rebounds and 1.5 blocks player.

[@Derby_City_Dasher]

He was a project even at Kentucky. He started his college as the backup to Nerlens Noel and only got to start in 2013 when Noel went down with injury and looked pretty bad in that role although he would improve year to year. However in the 3 years he was at Kentucky by no stretch of the imagination was he the best player on the roster and probably not even ever the 2nd best player either even in the 2013 NIT team without Noel. Alex Poythress was still better than him at that point. He was a former football that probably got a late start in basketball. You could watch and see his potential, but he never should've been the 6th pick which was a surprise, because he was not projected to go that high. You would've thought going into that draft he would go at about the middle of the 1st round or at best the tail end of the lottery.

[@davon_DaGod]

Dexter Strickland, Terrance Willams, Nick Johnson from Arizona

[@aboutmillions]

I thought he could be a Tyson Chandler variant or something but he flamed out so quick 😂

[@J.E.T.Lee16]

So true

[@brandongraham4183]

That’s exactly what he was supposed to be lmao.

[@johndavis9321]

Right like you would think if nothing else he could feel that role but bro couldn't even reach that smh

[@andrebryant5081]

@@johndavis9321 And would still be in the NBA. McGee and Deandre Jordan are still in the league just for that in a backup role.

[@TheGoatedOne423]

Fr he didn’t understand his assignment 😂

[@berkpwn]

Got really high with Willie at a party in college. Was a cool guy. Wish his career panned out. Just didn't have enough offensive tools.

[@andrebryant5081]

He could have still worked if he learned to be an anchor defensive center like Deandre Jordan or GSW/LA McGee.

[@willclinton468]

I remember on draft night the commentators said it was reach taking him 6th, and he would have to be DPOY to justify taking him that high

[@CasterShellz]

There were analysts projecting Cauley-Stein had a higher ceiling than KAT. I didn’t see it then, and still don’t see it now.

[@andrebryant5081]

​@@CasterShellz Athlete who could have been a shot blocking and lob threat.

[@troylee4196]

​@@andrebryant5081wasn't that in college He was the type of guy to get 2 dunks and a block in a game and get people overly excited

[@ronaldstanford1725]

One thing that most everybody and the casual fan should know about the game is that you can't teach height in basketball that's a physical gift either you're blessed with it or you're not, and more often than not the taller you are the more your chances that you would have a chance to make it in the league. It's just when you get there and you realize there are plenty of people that are tall and athletic just like you; what separates you from the rest, how consistent are you going to be, are you always available, it's lil things like that that come into play once you make to that lvl u know are you coachable, how is your work ethic etc etc......

[@johndavis9321]

Facts

[@edwardkimakaballislifekim_578]

Willie was a very good center in college good defensive player and good rebound shot blocker catch alley oops but never had a consistent jump shot

[@troylee4196]

Was he though or did he just look like Tyson Chandler in being light skin and height so teams wanted him to play like a more agile version of him?

[@pinheadlarry3992]

As a Kings fan, his biggest issue was lack of effort and passion on the defensive end. I mean sure his offensive game never translated or developed past being a pick & lob mobile center, but that doesn't excuse his lack of rotating to help on defense and lack of contesting opponents' attempts at the rim. WCS had the tools and build to become an elite defensive anchor in the paint but his lack of heart for the game of basketball was the reason he couldn't achieve that.

[@gangstaofluv8054]

He also had a tattoo under his eye!! They don’t want 🥷🏻s like this in the NBA

[@paulwar7064]

😂😂😂

[@paulwar7064]

What is under his eye?

[@noahkatzenmeier9576]

I watched WCS in high school. He went to Olathe. He was a legit 7 footer in high school. It may not sound that crazy for a ball player, but I have maybe seen 3 7 footers in all my time playing in Kansas. Only 7 footers I ever played were in AAU from other states. I played Jeremiah Robinson-Earl while he was at Bishop Miege as well, but he was maybe 6’9”.

[@dwightwilkerson8664]

Biggest uk bust was sky labossier spell check

[@corycanada2683]

He disappeared quickly 💨💨💨😂

[@luewhop7562]

Crazy part he was drafted to the kings too

[@Derby_City_Dasher]

I think if the same thing happened with Skal that happened with James Wiseman, where Wiseman only played one game in college against weak competition some middle of the pack OVC team Skal would've went in the lottery too, because Skal's first game was against Duke and he actually had a good game, but he started getting exposed shortly after that. However I don't think he is the biggest UK bust though. For me distinction belongs to Kahlil Whitney a guy who left mid season after losing his starting position only to go undrafted and get a bunch of dnp's in the NBA summer league.

[@dwightwilkerson8664]

@@luewhop7562 kings love uk guys lol

[@dwightwilkerson8664]

@@Derby_City_Dasher dam that was a good one i forgot bout him

[@Majinjuice2255]

He was a cheat code on 2k

[@ledon2727]

dude was a lob threat with my pg on 2k20

[@zaydagoat6952]

Yea mfs was too quick for a center

[@terryindachat7296]

Had Kentucky not went nearly perfect, WCS wouldn't have got drafted that high, I think it was then thinking everyone was better than advertised in Kentucky, and they felt like maybe WCS had some untapped potential. I was shocked to see the Harrison twins get taken so low, I thought Andrew could've snuck in the first round.

[@BrainDead235]

Nah it was the Harrison twins that were overrated, dudes shouldn’t have been drafted at all.

[@editsunited37]

vassilis spanoulis, a euro legend that both doncic and giannis (2 MVP-caliber players) looked up to and led his Greece team over a win against the US in 2006, yet he only played one season

[@editsunited37]

in the nba

[@ceejhundo4046]

So basically him as a baby when he didn’t know he had powers? Willie can’t know Superman backstory

[@coldwater7774]

Do a story on Nate James from Duke.

[@AguilaDeOnix85]

He sort of reminded me of some of those athletic bigs Calapari had at Memphis like Joey Dorsey. He would have been decent in 2007. Hope he's doing alright in his art thing.

[@troylee4196]

Nah, dude would've been the same then too Doubt he would've been able to defend the likes of KG and the like

[@GHOST91141]

I thought he could be something like a Javel Mcgee player play defense and rebound & dunk everything near the rim

[@Goofbirdent]

He was too old for his draft spot and I think he came into the league at his ceiling. Didn’t help having Cousins who was the better player already on the roster too.

[@XabzintheNBAGuru]

Please do more late 2010s players

[@davon_DaGod]

Can we do Dexter Strickland Next? From UNC

[@Crobdillus1991]

Do Alex Poythress

[@njd9143]

1:57 had no idea boogie played for Houston

[@coldwater7774]

Do a story on Perry Eliss from the KU Jayhawks!

[@troylee4196]

He went to Kansas, that's the answer Kansas has 3 players since 08 that you can name that did something Embiid, Wiggins, Chalmers

[@johntheprofessional5039]

I would love a video about Derrick Favors!

[@jusone4271]

Agree . Ed Davis too

[@bpswank429]

That ninja d fave

[@davon_DaGod]

@@jusone4271Dexter Strickland

[@edwardoutlawjr8154]

Think he's done Derrick Favors

[@jessearias2863]

As long as you are happy it doesn't matter where you play, right jc😊

[@MrBuliths]

Do a video on BJ Armstrong frmr Bulls pg, John Paxton, or Craig Ehlo

[@ramosbrian97]

I still remember him at Kentucky !

[@rapgodreloaded9259]

Can you upload a James Wiseman stunted growth video?

[@Rustyblackleford]

Great video. How about Sherman Douglas?

[@lukesmith9692]

Should of stayed in Miami and shot free throws better

[@nostalgicgamer1363]

My fellow Wildcat!!

[@kingquestOZ]

I thought he would be like a quicker Deandre Jordan in the league. But work ethic and medical issues held him back.

[@Thuromc]

Only in sports is being a millionaire who's set for life could be considered stunted. I wish I had that type of stunted growth. 😂

[@clintjefferson4391]

Facts. It does not matter if he's playing in the US or overseas I'm almost sure he's making more than the people making comments.

[@durandparkerjr9502]

He’s look was fire🔥 those tats was tuff 💯

[@jjay__]

Im pulsing

[@pp3k3jamail]

You commenting on how the dude looked lmao

[@AD3Basketball]

Do a SG on Kerry Kittles please

[@zeroturn7091]

Already did one, not too much footage on Kittles exists. Reminded of Zach Lavine, but didn’t jump as high.

[@Dakidpepe]

Dude treated basketball like a 9-5.

[@therealspikeflee]

There was no way people thought this guy was going to be a superstar 😂

[@andrebryant5081]

I mean Dwight Howard was one just off being a lob threat and shot blocker

[@BrooklynBalla]

⁠@@andrebryant5081 Dwight was also a monster rebounder and all around defensive beast.He wasn’t just a lob threat either.20ppg+ in his peak.

[@yourfriendlyneighbourhoodvue]

Thought he’d be like Tyson Chandler but nvm that

[@RealRosters2012]

Be a specialist, and then grow the others, so you’re ready for when a better one comes along, f that dominate, and grow

[@Youdatguy]

To uncoordinated never got comfortable in his own skin. Just played. Didn’t really take his game up to any level after college.

[@aisosaobano7038]

9:39 if this statement is true that’s crazy. You’d think they would be lifting weights regularly in a college basketball team like Kentucky. The fact he played off natural talent without that for 3 years is horrible In itself, and fully explained his poor college stats.

[@johndavis9321]

Yea but I'd argue for this era regular weightlifting is overrated and I'd also argue can be dentrimental

[@andrebryant5081]

@@johndavis9321 Hell no KD benefit a lot getting in the weight room. LeBron got better when he was able to gain 20 pounds of muscle. Jordan didn't beat the bad boy pistons till he got in the weight room.

[@johndavis9321]

@@andrebryant5081 Jordan doesn't count because the NBA he played in was different a lot more physical and a lot more demanding on the body so yes at the time players did need to hit the weight room but today with the game being so perimeter centric and jumper/3 point shot centric all that extra bulk Is just gonna weigh you down and make your jump shot worse that's why lebron has been so inconsistent from 3 for a lot of his career kd I do agree would have benefited from a few extra pounds but overall I think it helped his game not bulking up too much

[@andrebryant5081]

@@johndavis9321 KD did get in the weight room he came into the NBA under 200 pounds in 2024 he is listed at 240.

[@RealRosters2012]

he hads talent, politics, he coulda done better, are y’all saying he couldn’t be your back up center. FU

[@XabzintheNBAGuru]

I remember liking him in 2k like I did with birdman coz of his tats

[@bradleystraley6165]

7 footer at WR in high school? WTF do you even do to stop that? Lol

[@apeters38]

Not much you can do a 6’2” corner could have textbook coverage on him but would be pretty hard to force an interception. Pretty much would have to time the hit at the right time and hope to force an incompletion.

[@buzzerbeater3350]

We need one on Kendrick Nunn.

[@Jays0050]

If there wasn’t a thing called fashion or tattoos he woulda been something. Was so high on him coming out of Kentucky.. at worst a less offensively skilled Gobert but nope

[@DMalltheway]

The Kings may have ruined his development.

[@andrebryant5081]

Nah Willie ruined his own development. He is 7'0 and super athletic McGee and Deandre Jordan are both still in the league because they are still more athletic than the average center over the age of 35.

[@Rieky22]

@@andrebryant5081I mean the kings drafted to be behind cousins so…

[@andrebryant5081]

@@Rieky22 So as we say New Orleans if you play Cousins next to a defensive big he can play PF

[@SixthSensNumbTheDrifter]

I thought he would be the next Tyson Chandler.For some reason he actually disappointed me.

[@swanyay3304]

Both Stein and Dakari Johnson benefited from playing with KAT and that Kentucky system. In my opinion they were never that good

[@CasterShellz]

Exactly this. And before their recent resurgence, Sacramento was the franchise where young careers got ruined or squandered.

[@228allday]

He was drafted in the wrong era

[@andrebryant5081]

He was drafted in the right era McGee and Deandre Jordan are still on NBA rosters and they were drafted in 2008.

[@subconsciouslyinyahead7977]

Not to mention clint capella, dude on the lakers that was on the pelicans.

[@kayproduct876]

I think he never gaf about basketball to begin with

[@chrisford7365]

8 and 6 in college and you draft him with the #6 pick AND you already have D. Cumins? No wonder the Kings were a disaster for so long.

[@andrebryant5081]

You know he was bad when he is in his athletic prime and can't get a NBA contract and you got fossils like Mcgee, Deandre Jordan, and even Taj Gibson playing NBA basketball in 2024.

[@santosolivares1990]

Meta world peace aka Ron artest

[@tj_0032]

No hate but no such thing as a “cake walk” to the NBA. Regardless of height. Great vid tho

[@wesleyflocka]

Jeff green Jeff green Jeff green

[@Major613]

Him and Nelens Noel, nothing impressive about them on the offensive end....drafted way too high

[@lockrobster7928]

Which Earth is that, Middle Earth?

[@coppermanarrowz1001]

He scary that's why

[@Crookedsensei]

Rudy Gay stunted growth next

[@edwardoutlawjr8154]

Already done him

[@CasterShellz]

He was never going to be an All-Star or All-NBA player. Ultra athletic big guy but “solid rotation player” was always his ceiling. Similar to JaVale McGee. But because he checked all the boxes as far as his physical attributes, people (even draft experts) weirdly projected that he had a higher ceiling than Karl-Anthony Towns. Never was a fan of his game.

[@andrebryant5081]

Deandre Jordan was able to get those awards so did Dwight Howard

[@Jake-gv7sf]

Forgot all about this guy! He was super overrated

[@skfotedar]

Shoulda been a volleyball player

[@billbosconovitch752]

U play basketball in africa?

[@jaycarter646]

Wrong fit immediately smh. SAC TOWN????

[@youtubeguy9316]

He was a great athlete but not basketball player

[@meboy3513]

He was overrated SMH 🙄

[@airyoxus]

Couldn’t shoot never developed past a dunker

[@ShuckyDucky09]

Because he was just tall and athletic and had no skills

[@nicolasvaldez8192]

He had bust written all over him. More interested in getting tattooed then hoopin

[@racecombat]

#bbn