[JNixonParticipant]

40: Justin Harper, 6’9 228, PF, Richmond, Sr.

 

A guy who broke out for the mid-major tourny team Richmond, Justin Harper emerged after a very strong statline as a Sr. (18, 7 rpg, 1.2 bpg, and 53.8% from the field, 44% on 3’s). A lot the interest in Harper comes from his physical ability. He looks the part of an NBA PF, standing at 6’9 with a ripped upper body and an average at best 6’11 wingspan. He is a little thin in his base though, which will have to improve. Athletically he’s solid. He’s got OK speed and quickness for his size, and shows decent explosiveness too.

 

On offense, Harper really was a very effective and efficient scorer in the A-10. The best skill he showed would have to be his shooting. He shot 44% on the year on more than 4 attempts a game. He possesses a quick release, nice touch, and the size to get his shot off despite the lack of elevation he gets on his shot. Possesses NBA range, and is a factor from mid-range and in pick-and-pop’s with Richmond’s great guard Kevin Anderson. Will sometimes shoot and not bang and take advantage of his physical tools at the rim. As a post scorer, Harper is OK. He’s not strong enough in his lower body yet to be a consistent back to basket scorer in the NBA, but he does have a jump hook and a developing turnaround jumper over his left shoulder. Has good explosiveness jumping off of 2 feet. He doesn’t take advantage of his post game as much as he probably should, partially because he’s not base strong and partially because he’s simply not that tough. Doesn’t like contact very much, and fades away on his moves alot. Can handle the ball in a straight-line and use his 1^st step, but doesn’t do it much, unless his matchup closes out recklessly or he has a clear mismatch. Averaged 3.2 FT/pg, which is terrible for someone with his physical tools playing in the A-10 conference…or any conference really. Solid passer and won’t make bad decisions with the ball very often at all. Not a great offensive rebounder, which speaks to his effort and overall toughness.

 

On D, Harper is unspectacular. He isn’t strong enough in his base to defend most low post guys in the NBA just yet (he probably will be in time). His length and upper body will help him some though down low and in pick and roll D he should be fine in time, but he’s not very quick laterally. Doesn’t play with all that much effort or urgency, and sometimes allows guys to score far too easily. Very mediocre defensive rebounder.

 

Harper’s emergence as a Senior was big for him, but he’s still got a ways to go. His skill level is improving and his shot is very nice for a PF, but he’s not tough or an effort player. He’s one of those players that looks like Tarzan and plays like Jane at times. He should be a much better rebounder than he is, and he should definitely be more physical, but his offense is his calling card. He can be a stretch 4 in the NBA, but he will need to improve his lower body to be able to stand up consistently to post guys though.

 

 

39: Charles Jenkins, 6’3 216, PG/SG, Hofstra, Sr.

 

The Colonial Conference POY and a guy who really had an incredible career and even more impressive Senior year is Charles Jenkins. Teams like his talent, but also love his humble and down-to-Earth personality, which was also raved about in his time at Hofstra. Very high-character player with a strong work ethic, that’s shows when looking at how he improved over his career. Physically, Jenkins is a strong bodied combo guard with a good 6’7 wingspan. He’s short for the SG position he’s a more natural fit for, but he will have ample size for a PG. Athletically Jenkins is average. He’s not very fast, quick or explosive for an NBA guard, but he’s adequate and shows the stop start ability to free himself with the ball.

 

Jenkins is a nice weapon offensively with a relatively well-rounded game. As a shooter, Jenkins is a self-made good shooter who went from a below average 3-point shooter at college range (combined 32% shooter from 3 his 1^st 2 years) to a 41% and 42% shooter as a Jr. and Sr.  Possesses a nice looking shot with fundamental form, and a quick release with soft touch. Has NBA range, but is more effective from about 22 or 23 feet than 25. Efficient when catching and shooting. Solid pull-up jumper and shows the ability to make shots off the dribble from as far as 23 feet. Pull-up shot will have to continue to be effective as he won’t get all the way to the rim and finish as much in the NBA as he did in the Colonial Conference. Jenkins possesses a good, but not great 1^st step and pretty good ball-handling ability as a slasher, and the strength and leverage to be somewhat of a threat on his trips to the rim. He’s probably not explosive enough to be an efficient finisher at the rim or to even get to the rim consistently, and he struggled whenever he faced the more athletic frontcourts and quick perimeter defenders to get to the rim and finish. Not a pure PG, and looks for his shots 1^st and foremost. Does have an unselfish demeanor and a high IQ, as well as decent floor vision and passing ability, so there definitely is a chance he develops into a serviceable PG. Willing to take clutch shots, and will his team to wins. Won’t look very good in the transition game.

 

On D Jenkins is probably average. His strength and length allow him to play bigger than he is, and he has enough lateral quickness and energy level to be a solid, but unspectacular defender. Not going to get a bunch of steals of cause a lot of deflections, but he will be a solid defender against PG’s in time.

 

Overall, Jenkins is a good looking offensive player with a good work ethic and nice unselfishness. He’s not a pure PG, but he could develop into at least a serviceable guy. He’s not very athletic but he’s not bad either, so he’ll probably only be mediocre around the basket. On D he’s steady but not a stopper by any stretch. I think Jenkins is similar to a Toney Douglas-type, a young , OK bench scorer who’s a combo guard and a developing steady defender.

[kobyzParticipant]

Charles Jenkins’s style of play is exactly like Delonte West, he may be a little bit stronger though.

[Mr. 19134Participant]

 Jenkins isn’t the athlete or ball handler that Delone West is.  West is a very good athlete with speed and quickness.  He also has great court vision.  

And Justin Harper I’m on the fence about.  He moves so smooth can is lights out anymore from the outside.  But lacks toughness.  I still think he’s a first rounder.

[Author]

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