NBA Comparison: Ryan Hollins/Walter McCarty

Strengths: Athletic forward who displays untapped potential ... An unfinished product with intriging combination of length, fluidity and bounce ... An excellent shot blocker (ranked 3rd in the nation last year at 3.5 bpg) with timing and quick leaping ability ... Shows some solid offensive potential with the ability to face the basket and knock down mid-range shots, and even the occaisional 3 pointer (shot 17-58 3 pointers as a freshman - 29%) ... While still a work in progress offensively, his potential to develop his offensive skills is intriguing ... Quick, explosive leaper. Fluid athlete who excels running the floor and finishes above the rim ... Shows decent touch on his shot and should be able to develop much better consistency with practice and confidence ... 65% free throw shooting as a freshman should improve ... Shows solid touch around the basket ... Appears to have a wingspan in the neighborhood of 7'2 ... Plays with a solid motor.

Weaknesses: Still rail thin (192 lbs) and it remains to be seen if he can add significant weight to his frame ... Needs to gain strength to handle post play and develop the ability to finish with contact ... Additional strength will allow him to grab more rebounds and play more aggresively around the basket ... Needs to develop back to the basket post skills ... Older for a sophomore as he will turn 22 within the next draft year (2012): making him nearly 2 years older than his draft class and further raising questions about his body development ...

Notes: Productive freshman year averaging 7.4 ppg ... Blocked 117 shots as a freshman setting a St Joe's freshman record ... Won Player of the Year honors in his home state of Pennsylvania leading his Plymouth-Whitemarsh HS team to a State Championship averaging 16.9 points, 10.0 rebounds and 6.5 blocked shots ...

Aran Smith 10/16/11