DenzelValentine.gif

45 - Denzel Valentine

6-5, 210 Shooting Guard/Small Forward
Michigan St. Senior
Birthday
11/16/93 (30.3 yrs)
Hometown
Lansing, MI
High School
Sexton
Team Site Profile
Statistics
Athleticism
6
Size
6
Defense
7
Strength
7
Quickness
6
Leadership
10
Jump Shot
9
NBA Ready
9
Ball Handling
8
Potential
6
Passing
9
Intangibles
8

NBA Comparison: Danny Green/Greivis Vasquez

Strengths: Consumate leader and do-it-all talent at the college level … Complete player that is good at everything on the court, and has the will to impact games, despite his lack of superior size and athleticism … Off the charts intelligence, intangibles and leadership … Has outstanding court vision and awareness … Passing is his best attribute … Makes the simple play and the extraordinary play with the same ease … Tremendous feel for the game, plays like a coach on the floor … Well-known and respected leader, with swagger and personality … Developed into a great perimeter shooter in both catch and shoot and off the dribble situations … Very good with the ball in his hands … Can exploit smaller guards in the post … Great team defender … Knows where to be and when to help … Adept at defending in the passing lanes … Solid defender on ball, plays angles well … Very good on the glass … Attacks rebounds and can begin the fast break and initiate offense …

Weaknesses: A 6-6 (slow and unathletic) small forward at the next level, it’s uncertain how well his game will translate … He is most effective having an offense run through him, and it remains to be seen if he’s talented (quick) enough to do this in the NBA … Doesn’t impact games nearly as much playing off the ball … Slow footed … Can’t consistently beat his defender off the dribble … Can often get trapped or forced into a turnover when looking to make the highlight play … Is it possible that his jump in three point percentage as a senior is a fluke … Sometimes will force an unnecessary shot if the offense isn’t flowing … Isn’t particularly athletic, has just enough to excel, but he will be below average at the next level … Unsure of what position he will be able to guard on the next level … Could have reached his potential in terms of development … Will turn 23 within the first few weeks of rookie season (birthday is November 16th) …

Notes: Measured 6’5.5’’ in shoes, with a 6’9.5’’ wingspan and 223 lbs at the 2015 Nike Basketball Academy … 2015-16 Big Ten Player of the Year … 2015-16 USBWA First Team All-American … 2015-16 Sports Illustrated National Player of the Year … Had two triple doubles in 2015-16 season (29/12/12 vs Kansas and 29/11/10 vs Boston College) …

Outlook: Valentine is truly a complete basketball player … He can do everything there is to do on the basketball court, however, his size and athleticism may limit his effectiveness at the NBA level … He’s court vision and basketball IQ are both top-notch and should allow him to overcome some of his athletic deficiencies … Former Spartan Draymond Green’s incredible development should help teams view him in a different light than once perceived … Given the right situation, Valentine could in time become a key cog in a championship contender … Some concerns arose after his medical reports were released to teams from his combine physical, they revealed some possible knee issues …

Brandon Jefferson 3/28/16

Facebooktwitterredditmail