JNixon-Iggy9’s Countdown to the Draft: 60 Prospects in 30 Days (46&45)

46: Jon Leuer, 6’11 223, PF, Wisconsin, Sr.

 

A prototypical Bo Ryan player who’s tall and can stetch the floor, Jon Leuer went from being a 6’2 PG early in his HS days to a 6’11 perimeter-oriented PF. Physically, Leuer has outstanding height for a PF or C and a 7’0 wingspan, which is OK for his height. He’s not very strong yet, particularly in his lower body, but he’s improved on that substantially and he has the frame to put on 10-15 pounds in time. Athletically, well, he’s not an athlete. He lacks a great deal of quickness, explosiveness, speed and leaping skills.

 

On offense, Jon Leuer (along with Wisconsin’s other bigs) is a great shooter. He went through a slump at the end of the year, but he started the year off strong before that, hovering around an outstanding 44% on 4 attempts a night from deep. Simply cash with his feet set. A high release, a quick and decisive release, and the added benefit of being very tall, so he will rarely get his shots blocked. Has the ability to make shots with consistency when using an escape dribble or 2 as well. There are concerns about the slump at the end of the year, and scouts want to know if he’s the 48% he was all the way up to the beginning of the Big 10 play, or the 20% shooter from then on. It’s pretty idiotic though to me, because he’s clearly a very good shooter, certainly not a 20% guy. Leuer has a hook shot he loves to use and can get off with his right hand and a nice turnaround shot down low in the post. Won’t be as effective as a post player as he was in college until he adds base strength though, and even then he will only be showing his post game when he has a mismatch or favorable matchup, since figures to be a tall shooter mostly. Is a good and efficient ball-handler for his size, but he won’t be asked to do much creating off the dribble. Passing is solid and he will make good decisions with the ball, rarely turning the ball over for the least TO prone team in major college basketball. Smart player.

 

Defensively, Leuer will be a below average against NBA athletes especially in situations where he’s by himself on an island against NBA PF’s. His size will help him compensate somewhat, as will his fundamentals and effort, but his lower body strength and lack of athleticism will do him little favors. Team that gets him will have to play good team D and rotate well to keep him from getting exposed badly when he’s on the floor, especially in pick and rolls. A bit stiff. Not a great rebounder at all for his size.

 

Leuer’s jump shot, smarts and ability to play without making mistakes will make him a player if he lands on a team that needs a role player like him. At his size and with his great set shot, he can function in a role similar to the Ryan Anderson, Brian Cardinal or Matt Bonner-types, other tall shooters who lacks athleticism. His ability to stick really is dependent on where he goes, but I think he’ll be a bottom-end rotation player.

 

 

45: Kyle Singler, 6’8 228, SF/PF, Duke, Sr.

 

Singler had an outstanding college career, and is probably one of the better players Duke has had, and that’s saying a lot. I projected him to be the National Player of the Year prior to the college season, but he had a good but not All-America level season. He is a prospect with debatable attributes and a lot of discussion about how good a pro he’ll be. Physically, Singler has improved a good bit over time. He’s got very nice height and overall size for the SF position he’ll play the vast majority of the time in the NBA. He has a better body than he used to, as he’s put about 10-15 lbs of bulks on since he was a Fr., and at 6’8 with a 6’10 wingspan he’s certainly got more than enough size for the wing. Athletically, Singler is below average though. He’s not very fast, quickness or explosive, but he’s got decent fluidity and smoothness for his size.

 

On offense, Singler has a few solid skills. His strongest attribute is probably his jump shot though, where he’s good but never quite became the elite shooter many though he’d emerge into. He possesses a nice shot with solid mechanics and the ability to shoot off screens and his improved ability to make mid-range shots. Moves well without the ball. At his best spotting up in rhythm, but misses a few too many open shots to call him a pure shooter. Struggles with consistency. As a slasher, Singler struggled getting to the rim with consistency against college competition so he probably won’t be much of a factor in the NBA. Has a below average 1^st step, a very middling handle, and he favors his right hand pretty heavily. Doesn’t have the leaping ability and explosiveness to finish with consistency at the rim, especially since the D can help on weakside and alter his shots due to him not having the speed to get to the rim clearly against the on-ball defender. Doesn’t get to the free throw very well. Is a decent passer who is fairly unselfish and takes solid care of the ball, despite a negative A/TO (1.6/1.8). His effort and energy make him an alright offensive rebounder.

 

On D, Singler will likely struggle. He’s not quick, athletic or long enough to be a passing lane threat and even though he plays with effort he struggles with quickness and NBA SF’s are going to have that. Won’t be a huge liability in the long run though because he’s smart and plays hard. Will probably take a higher than average number of charges. Alright rebounder on the defensive glass, but nothing special.

 

I think Singler is one of those great collegiate players who will only be a marginal rotation player in the NBA at best, as he only has 1 true NBA level skill, and that skill is his on-again, off-again shot. He is smart and a solid effort player too. I think he could play a Luke Walton-type role for a team, a limited offensive player who makes good passes in the floor of the offense, makes spot-up jumpers and shows a high IQ on both ends even though he lacks athleticism.