NBA Comparison: Keith Jennings

Strengths: One of the quickest PGs in SEC conference … Downy is a more of a score first-point guard … Has a good combination of speed and quickness to beat nearly anyone of the dribble … Likes to take the ball strong to the basket rather than settling for jump-shots … Competitive and confident player who’s capable of putting up points in hurry and very difficult to stop if he gets in the rhythm … Downy does a great job at penetrating and attacking the basket (prefers going to his right; if he penetrates to the left he will pull up and shoot or pass) … If he feels defense is playing to close on him while driving to the basket, he will create contact with his body first and then finishing through it … Not afraid of finishing around the basket or getting his shot blocked. Possesses an effective floater and knows when to use it … From the perimeter, Downy is a solid outside shooter with .448 3p% … Has the ability to create and get his shot off (possess effective cross-over), at least at the college level. Will need to work harder to do so against quicker and longer athletes … Downey has a decent shooting mechanics and solid touch … Unselfish player with good court vision, last year averaged 4.5 apg (utilizes the bounce-pass inside the paint to C). Good defender considering his size, who does nice job of getting into the passing lanes and staying in front of his player putting a lots of pressure on the ball … Possess extremely quick hands and feet (2007-2008 season ranked second in the NCAA with 3.2 steals per game). Solid free-throw shooter (.733 last year).

Weaknesses: Downey lacks size and strength for the NBA … Bigger point guards will take advantage of him, posting up on him or shooting and passing over the top of him … Offensively Downey will have troubles getting his shot off if he is guarded by bigger players (his shooting motion is elevated, putting the ball behind the head so he doesn’t get his shot blocked). Has to become more consistent from the 3 point line … Downy can try to do too much with the ball and over-dribble from time to time … Does not like pressure and double-teams too much … Not vocal enough for a PG. While small point guards such as Muggsy Bogues and Earl Boykins have had lengthy NBA careers, it will be a struggle for him to make it in the league …

Stevan Petrovic 1/14/08