JNixon-Iggy9’s Countdown to the Draft: 60 Prospect in 30 Days (48&47)

48: Keith Benson, 6’11 217, C/PF, Oakland, Sr.

A gangling mid-major big man, Keith Benson has been on radar for scouts since late in his Sophomore year. A late bloomer who redshirted as a Fr., Benson has some intriguing attributes that make him pretty interesting as a prospect. Physically, Benson has the height necessary to the C position in the NBA. Blessed with a long and wiry frame, and a near 7’4 wingspan. Lacks strength and girth right now, but he has the frame to put on about 20 lbs without losing much mobility or athleticism. He’s a good athlete with decent ability to run the floor and solid reactivity as a leaper.

Benson has decent ability on offense, but nothing special or breathtaking. Improved every year in college with his skill level. As a low post guy, Benson shows some fundamental and basic moves he could get off regularly against Summit League competition, but was just OK against some NBA caliber post competition he faced (Tristan Thompson, Dallas Lauderdale of Ohio State and Mike Tisdale of Illinois namely). He possesses a jump hook with either hand (clearly favors his right though), and that his main move his like to go to. Has outstanding touch. Not very tough, physical or strong down low. Can be pushed out of the paint, as he has a pretty weak lower body. Capable of making some nice moves down low, and show good footwork. Likes to take his time, which sometimes is a problem magnified when he plays against athletic or similarly-sized bigs because he allows the D to react easier. Not selfish, but not an accomplished passer either really. Automatic in point blank range, even with bodies flying. Has potential as a pick and pop option from the 12-15 foot area, as his touch is too great and the fact that he didn’t shoot many in college isn’t anything for me to be worried about. With practice he has potential with his shoot. Not a high motor guy really.

Benson is a great shot-blocker who will struggle to hold his ground against NBA bigs until he works on his base strength. He doesn’t have the motor or toughness to fight back right now, and doesn’t have the quickness to defend standard face-up PF’s. Does a solid job of blocking guys shots and anticipating moves.

Overall, Benson shows the touch and post game to be a serviceable big man, and the frame to pick up strength to be better apt to defend C’s and establish position easier. He’s not very tough and doesn’t play with high energy and motor, but he does have a solid skill level that improved every year he was in school. Could very well still improve more, considering he is a late-bloomer. His range is anywhere from the early to the late 2nd, and he could be a backup C with more strength and continuing to develop his skill level.

47: Chandler Parson, 6’10 221, SF/SG, Florida, Sr.

Parsons has intrigued me since the 1st time I watched him play close-up against Georgia in 2009-2010. Since then I have been mentioning as great prospect for the 2011 draft, before the season I discussed him as a potential 1st round pick. Might not be a 1st rounder, but he’s firmly on the radar now. A tall perimeter player with intriguing talent. Reigning SEC Player of the Year. Physically, Parsons has some physical gifts. At 6’10 as a swingman, he has the ability to be a strong mismatch at the NBA. He’s not strong and needs to work on getting stronger and bigger, and he has a pedestrian wingspan for his height (6’9) though. Athletically Parsons is pretty decent. He’s not an explosive leaper, but he’s certainly good and had a few explosive finishes in his career. He’s not overly quick or fast, but he moves extremely effortlessly for a 6’10 220 guy and shows outstanding fluidity.

On the offensive end Parsons’ is a highly skilled Swiss army knife who still can add a lot of polish. If I had the strongest part of his game if would probably be his streaky jump shot. He possesses a sweet shot and his height makes it easy for him to get his shot off against the wings he goes up against. Moves well without the ball. Has the ability to pull off 1 or 2 dribbles and make shots and come off screens, but he’s better with his feet set. Nice shot fake. Confident shooter who made a series of clutch shots in his time at Florida. Uses his shot to set up his dribble drive game, as he doesn’t have the 1st step to really set it up in isolation in most cases against wing defenders. Does need to get a bit more consistent with his shot though, which will come when he gets stronger more than likely. Sometimes he struggles maintaining his momentum when running to set up his shot. Ball-handling is very good for his height with either hand, but due to his high center of gravity he can be mechanical with it when trying to iso against wings. Smart about what decisions he makes with the ball as a slasher. Likes to operate on the left side of the floor and slashes left most times too. Good finisher who will sometimes surprise weakside D with a strong finish at the rim. Looks goods in transition. The area that’s arguably better than his jumper is Parsons’ passing skills. He’s probably the best passing SF in the draft. Can create on the move or through simple ball movement to Florida’s arsenal of perimeter shooters. Very smart and his floor vision is aided by his height. A decent offensive rebounder.

Defensively, Parsons has nice lateral quickness for his size. He’s not long enough to be a ball-thief or shot-blocker really, and he’s not very tough or strong yet to defend SF’s yet. Doesn’t play with consistent energy. Right now, he could be a prime candidate to get pushed around in the NBA. OK rebounder. Has to look to get stronger and bigger in the near future.

Parsons has a lot of intrigue as an overall prospect. On offense he’s not polished, but he does have a skill set that allows him to do a bit of everything pretty well. For a 22 year old guy, he seems to have a good amount of upside that’s untapped. For him to reach his upside, he’ll have to work to get stronger and show more toughness. His shooting consistency goes hand in hand with him getting stronger, as does his D, so if he works on that he can be a Chase Budinger or Mike Miller-type of pro player. His range is late 1st to mid 2nd round from what I’ve heard and he even said 15- to early 2nd. Look out for Parsons as a long term prospect.