NBA Comparison: CJ Watson / Nolan Smith

Strengths: A dynamic and experienced lead guard with scoring instincts, strong shooting mechanics, and solid playmaking ability … Measured 6’1” barefoot with a 6’4.75” wingspan and a 40.5” max vertical at the 2025 NBA Draft Combine,  excellent explosion for his size and a +4.0 wingspan gives him versatility defensively … Played four seasons across East Carolina, Oklahoma State, and West Virginia, averaging 18.6 points, 5.6 assists, and 4.1 rebounds as a senior … A proven scorer who posted 15+ points per game in each of the past three years … High-level shooter with deep range,  hit 35.3% from three on a high volume (2.6 makes on 7.3 attempts per game in 2024–25) and 35% for his career … Excellent free throw shooter (88.0% as a senior and 87.1% for his career), confirming his touch and shooting reliability … Comfortable creating off the dribble and using ball screens, runs the pick-and-roll with poise and regularly makes the right read … Can pull up from midrange or beyond the arc, and has grown more confident attacking mismatches … Solid passing feel with a 2:1 assist-to-turnover ratio, including 5.6 assists per game … Flashes creativity as a passer, particularly when defenders go under screens … Has the bounce to finish with authority, tested with a 40.5” vertical and occasionally rises for highlight dunks … Uses his length to make plays defensively, solid anticipation and timing helped him average 1.5 steals per game … Shows effort as a defender and has the tools to hold his own against both guard spots … Veteran maturity and four-year college experience should allow for a smoother NBA adjustment … Brings competitiveness and toughness that show in close games.

Weaknesses: While explosive vertically, Small’s overall speed and burst are just average for an NBA guard … Struggles in transition when asked to make quick reads or finish at full speed, has a tendency to lose control and struggles to convert if he doesn’t get a clean path to dunk … Still developing as a finisher,  doesn’t have great touch on runners or floaters, and his efficiency at the rim can dip in traffic … Can get tunnel vision when trying to score, doesn’t always recognize help defenders or secondary rotations … Though improved as a playmaker, still prone to forcing passes or driving into congestion … Limited size (6’1”, 190 lbs) can make him a target defensively against bigger or more physical guards … His off-ball game needs work, not yet an effective spot-up shooter and tends to drift when not initiating the offense … Can be exposed by quicker ball-handlers defensively, especially in isolation or when switching onto elite athletes … Needs to improve foot speed and lateral recovery to become a consistent stopper … Already 22 years old, which may limit his developmental ceiling compared to younger guard prospects.

Outlook: Small projects as a reliable second-round option with clear scoring and playmaking tools that could translate to a bench role in the NBA … His senior season at West Virginia was his most complete, 18.6 PPG, 5.6 APG, 4.1 RPG on 41.8/35.3/88.0 shooting splits,  and his advanced feel for pick-and-roll play will be attractive to teams needing depth at the point guard spot … If he can improve his decision-making in transition and continue refining his off-ball shooting, he could carve out a long-term role as a sparkplug lead guard … While not a high-upside prospect, his floor is relatively high thanks to his scoring ability, toughness, and experience … A strong candidate to hear his name called in the 40–59 range, especially for teams looking for a confident shot-maker and steady ball-handler.

Notes: Born December 19, 2002 …  Measured 6’1.00” barefoot, 190.0 lbs, 6’4.75” wingspan, 8’0.00” standing reach, 33.0” no step vertical and 40.5” max vertical at the 2025 NBA Draft Combine … 2024–25 stats: 32 GP, 36.1 MPG, 18.6 PPG, 5.6 APG, 4.1 RPG, 1.5 SPG, 41.8% FG, 35.3% 3PT, 88.0% FT … Played two seasons at East Carolina, one at Oklahoma State, and finished his career as a senior at West Virginia …