My opinion is that Upshaw is too big of a risk to pick at 16 due to his off the court issues and what they indicate about his ability to improve as a player. Poor decision making, and a lack of focus have gotten him kicked off of two teams, it isn't a stretch to think these traits hurt his development.
With his character flags, I think 16 is too high for him, since there is a high likelihood he flames out at the NBA level (if history is any indicator). At 28 I would gladly pick him, because the risk is outweighed by his potential. I would even trade 28 and a second or several seconds to grab him at around 20-28.
I believe there will be players available with similar upside, but less risk available at 16. People see the block numbers and think he would be an elite player without the off the court issues. However, Sam Vecenie didn't believe him to be a lottery talent even excluding the off the court stuff.
Despite his lazy tendencies on the perimeter, on the boards at times, and in the post, his skill around the rim would have made him worth a first-round pick. I still would have had him in the 7-8 range among centers (after Jahlil Okafor, Karl Towns, Willie Cauley-Stein, Myles Turner, Frank Kaminsky and Poeltl, surely), but this is an exceedingly deep draft for big men. I have him at 36th on my big board, and a selection in the 20-30 range wouldn't have been out of the question due to the value he provides inside already, along with some relative upside.
However, his personal situation has far more questions than answers at this point. Will any team want to guarantee Upshaw money for two years and potentially waste a first round pick given his checkered past?
http://www.cbssports.com/collegebasketball/eye-on-college-basketball/25010285/robert-upshaws-draft-prospects-have-more-questions-than-answersI understand fans are starved for a legit shot blocking center, but reaching for a need when there are better less risky prospects available is a way teams often make mistakes in the draft.