It wasn’t long ago that Edrice “Bam” Adebayo, donning a Northside Panthers’ jersey, was shredding competition across eastern North Carolina. The dominant big man led the Panthers to the 1-A state semifinals before running into a familiar powerhouse in East Carteret.

Read more: How Adebayo landed on the national stage

Adebayo spent his senior season at High Point Christian Academy. He then took his talents to Kentucky. Adebayo excelled under the guidance of one-and-done guru John Calipari. He declared for the NBA Draft without hiring an agent, but elected to forgo the rest of his college career by staying put.

Most have pegged Adebayo as a sure-fire first-round pick. It’s just a matter of what team will select the former Panther and Wildcat big man. Here’s what some of the top mock drafts are predicting for Adebayo’s professional beginnings:

NBA.com mock draft

ESPN mock draft

CBS Sports mock draft

The days and weeks leading up to the NBA Draft have been busy for Adebayo. He’s been worked out by a handful of teams — including, most recently, his home-state Charlotte Hornets.

Charlotte Observer: Here’s how Kentucky’s Bam Adebayo stood out at Sunday’s Charlotte Hornets workout

WKYT: Bam works out for Bucks

Atlanta Journal-Constitution: NBA prospect compared to Hawks’ Howard rising up draft boards

Detroit Free Press: Kentucky PF Bam Adebayo works out for Pistons, says he can also shoot

Adeabyo’s story has been a fascinating one that has captivated audiences across the nation. Here’s what others from all around the basketball world have been saying about the Beaufort County product. Sports Illustrated profiled his rise from eastern North Carolina to one of the NCAA’s top programs. Other outlets have told the story ahead of this week’s NBA Draft, too.

Sports Illustrated: Bam’s Beginnings: From humble beginnings, Adebayo has grown into a star

IndyStar: Adebayo fights for the NBA like his mother fought for him