NBA Comparison: Kris Jenkins

Strengths: Hinson’s bread and butter is being a prolific scorer. He has proven he can get it done at all 3-levels, but his strengths are on the perimeter as a lights out shooter. The forward has shot the ball from downtown this season at a very efficient clip of 41.5% including six games this season with more than five 3-pointers made including nine against West Virginia and Louisville as well as going a perfect 7-7 against Duke. Hinson has the ability to connect from long range both off of the catch and shoot as well as off of the dribble, showcasing a smooth touch from multiple aspects. The senior has a top-50 scorer in college basketball, and in addition to his efficiency from beyond the arc, he is a productive 44.6% from the field. Additionally, he possesses a solid frame at 6-foot-8, 230 pounds and can bang in the paint as he has averaged around 5 rebounds the whole year. Hinson also moves well with the rock, showcasing solid ball-handling ability along with being super quick up and down the court. He has the frame and body mold to be able to compete at the professional level.

Weaknesses: On the offensive end he is a pure scorer, so in the passing and playmaking department he leaves a lot to be desired. Though it is not his game, Hinson has never averaged over 1.4 assists per contest in his four-year college career. He works mainly off-ball and relies on his guards to playmake, so the skill set of creating for others is not a trait of Hinson’s. On the other side of the ball, the defense leaves some room for improvement. The forward has never averaged more than 0.6 steals or 0.5 blocks. For someone who is 6-foot-8 and possesses great length, it will be interesting to see if the lack of productivity on the defensive end is a knock on him as a prospect. Another drawback is that he is 24-years old, and might be passed on for younger prospects who possess the same intangibles and will have time to develop, where he would be more expected to contribute right away.

Notes: He played his first two seasons at Ole Miss, then transferred to Iowa State but sat out there for two seasons before transferring to Pitt for the past two years of play. Last year was a Second-Team All-ACC selection, and was named the Riley Wallace Award Winner, given annually by CollegeInsider.com to the best transfer player in the NCAA. In a home win over Louisville this year, he scored 41 points, which was the most scored at the Petersen Events Center, tied the program record (his own) for threes in a game and tied for the third-most points by a Panther in a single game.

Lyle Alenstein 3/14/24