NBA Comparison: Julius Randle

Strengths: Has good size and length for his position, standing 6’10”, 250 lbs … Has a good blend of strength and athleticism / fluidity … Moves well with and without the ball … Solid all-around player that can do a bit of everything … Stand out at creating shots for a player his size … Has a rare mix of moves for a big man – is comfortable crossing his defender up, making spin moves, and is able to remain on balance when attacking off the bounce … Excellent body control, and uses the body well to shield the ball from defenders on his shot attempts … Shot 33.8% from three during his year at Duke and projects to be able to make the NBA three with consistency due to solid mechanics and fluidity in his jumpshot. Is able to shoot off the catch or create for himself off the bounce … Is especially dangerous as a trail man where he can shoot the three or attack a late closeout from a defender … Possesses excellent footwork, especially in the post, that allows him to remain on balance and create advantages for himself by getting defenders out of position … Can score in a variety of ways in the post … Has a fadeaway jumper that is extremely difficult to contest, and can hit it with regularity … Uses his strength to power through contact and scores despite being fouled regularly … Can play above the rim and likes to finish plays with dunks instead of layups … Is not a selfish player, averaging 3.2 assists per game for his college career … Is comfortable playing as a roller or popping out looking for a jumper or driving lane when playing the pick and roll game … There really isn’t much he can’t do on the offensive end of the court. Is an instinctive player who reacts quickly and naturally to what opponents throw at him … What he lacks for in run/jump athleticism, he makes up for with dexterity, coordination, body control and great feel for the game …

Weaknesses: For all of his offensive gifts, still has room to improve defensively snd may never be better than decent on the defensive end … lacks later quickness to defend on the perimeter … He doesn’t provide much rim protection, averaging less than a block per game … Will likely need to play center at the pro level, at least defensively to compensate for his lack of lateral quickness … He can struggle with turnovers, as he had 4 or more in 11 of his 39 games at Duke … Would like to see him shoot a bit higher than 72.9% from the free throw line … His outside shot can be streaky, which is good when it’s hitting, but not so much when he misses a couple early …

Outlook: Banchero is an elite prospect with very few holes in his game … There’s very little he’s not capable of on a basketball court, especially on the offensive end. For that reason, he should be a surefire top three pick and is very much in the conversation for #1 overall. He is a bit limited on the defensive end, but not so much as to be considered a true liability as he will compete on both ends. He is probably the safest pick in the entire draft, as his offensive versatility makes it nearly guaranteed that he is an impact player at the next level. His ability to score at all three levels with consistency, handle the ball, and even lead the break make him a perfect fit in today’s NBA and he projects to be an All-Star sooner rather than later.

Notes: A former standout high school quarterback at O’Dea … Native of the Seattle, Washington area … Was named ACC Freshman of the Year, Third-team All-America pick by the AP and Sporting News, First-team All-ACC ..

Eric Yearian 4/20/22

Strengths: 6’10 forward … Good length with a 7’0.5 wingspan … Good strength and physical profile. Great mobility and very well coordinated … Good athlete, elevates well at the rim with good timing and body control that translates well in games … Good form, shot mechanics, and face-up game. Improved 3PT consistency over his high school career. Can score at all three levels … Good footwork and use of pivots you don’t see too often at the high school level. Uses eurosteps when appropriate … Creates well and breaks down the defense off the dribble and in isolation. Pulls up into his shot well off the dribble … Good scorer and very efficient.  Averaged 21.8 points per game on 51.5% FG% over the Nike EYBL in 2019. Finished 2^nd in scoring at the NBPA Top 100 with 17.2 points per game on 65.3% FG% in 2019 … Draws fouls at a high rate and reliable free throw shooter. Shot 7.2 free throws per game on 80.9% FT% over the Nike EYBL in 2019. Shot 87.5% FT% at the NBPA Top 100 in 2019 … Good rebounder. Led the Nike EYBL in rebounding with 11.2 per game in 2019 … Sees over the defense, reads double teams and help defense well. Good passing ability and court vision, especially at his size. Good timing on lead passes and knows where his teammates are at all times, utilizing his options well. Doesn’t over-dribble. Averaged 4.2 assists per game over the Nike EYBL in 2019 … Versatile defender, guarding both perimeter and post at the high school level. Good shot blocker. Averaged 2.1 blocks per game over the Nike EYBL in 2019. Averaged 3 steals per game at the NBPA Top 100 in 2019 … Mature and polished, contributed at the highest levels of high school at a young age … Smart shot selection, doesn’t force his scoring or hunt for shot opportunities. Plays well within himself and has a well-rounded game, contributing in multiple categories … Plays poised, balanced, and always under control … Doesn’t have glaring weaknesses and has a high floor …

Weaknesses: As mentioned earlier, he doesn’t have glaring weaknesses and is very well rounded as prospect … Definitely improved as a 3PT shooter throughout high school but still has room to develop into a knockdown threat … Can cut down on turnovers. Averaged 3.2 per game over the Nike EYBL in 2019 … Versatile defender but lateral quickness isn’t great, defending quick players on the perimeter at the next levels may be an obstacle … Can’t argue with his scoring efficiency but still has room to improve finishing against length at the rim and operating in traffic …

Outlook: Duke freshman … 2021 McDonald’s All-American … Named to the 2021 Jordan Brand Classic … 2020 Washington Gatorade Player of the Year … Scored 14 points in the 2019 Underclassman All-American Game …

Evan Tomes 8/20/21

Strengths: 6’9 forward … Good length with a 7’0.5 wingspan … Good strength and physical profile. Great mobility and very well coordinated … Good athlete, elevates well at the rim with good timing and body control that translates well in games … Can score from anywhere on the floor, inside and out with a sound jump shot and midrange scoring ability … Good footwork and uses eurosteps when appropriate. Good scorer and very efficient.  Averaged 21.8 points per game on 51.5% FG% over the Nike EYBL in 2019. Finished 2^nd in scoring at the NBPA Top 100 with 17.2 points per game on 65.3% FG% in 2019 … Draws fouls at a high rate and reliable free throw shooter. Shot 7.2 free throws per game on 80.9% FT% over the Nike EYBL in 2019. Shot 87.5% FT% at the NBPA Top 100 in 2019 … Good rebounder. Led the Nike EYBL in rebounding with 11.2 per game in 2019 … Sees over the defense, reads double teams and help defense well. Good passing ability and court vision, especially at his size. Good timing on lead passes and knows where his teammates are at all times, utilizing his options well. Doesn’t over-dribble. Averaged 4.2 assists per game over the Nike EYBL in 2019 … Versatile defender, guarding both perimeter and post at the high school level. Good shot blocker. Averaged 2.1 blocks per game over the Nike EYBL in 2019. Averaged 3 steals per game at the NBPA Top 100 in 2019 … Mature and polished, contributed at the highest levels of high school at a young age … Smart shot selection, doesn’t force his scoring or hunt for shot opportunities. Plays well within himself and has a well-rounded game, contributing in multiple categories … Plays poised, balanced, and always under control … Doesn’t have many glaring weaknesses …

Weaknesses: Good form and shooting mechanics but can improve consistency. Shot 25% (5-20) 3PT% over the Nike EYBL in 2019. Shot 20% (1-5) 3PT% at the NBPA Top 100 in 2019 … Can cut down on turnovers. Averaged 3.2 per game over the Nike EYBL in 2019 … Versatile defender but lateral quickness isn’t great, defending quick players on the perimeter at the next levels may be an obstacle … Can’t argue with his scoring efficiency but still has room to improve finishing against length at the rim and operating in traffic …

Outlook: Duke commit … 2020 Washington Gatorade Player of the Year … Scored 14 points in the 2019 Underclassman All-American Game …

Evan Tomes 12/8/20