[JNixonParticipant]

58: Julyan Stone, 6’7 205, PG/SG/SF, UTEP, SR.

If you want to talk about who has the best physical ability in the draft from the PG position, most would bring up Brandon Knight or Iman Shumpert. I would say it’s Julyan Stone of UTEP. A guy who’s a legit 6’7 in shoes with a sleek 205 frame and a near 6’10 wingspan, Stone is blessed with unbelievable size. Stone also has very strong athleticism, with a nice 1st step and quickness, good leaping ability and very fluid movements. Was a 3 sport athlete in HS (soccer and baseball). Quite simply, there is nothing to complain about with Stone’s physical and athletic profile.

Offensively, Stone is a pure PG and a highly unselfish distributor. Garnered a 2.1/1 A:TO over his career. An extremely savvy playmaker, who makes the right pass and the flashy pass at all the right times. Played with some very high level scorers in Stefon Jackson, Derrick Caracter, and Randy Culpepper at UTEP, and was great at getting those guys shots in their favorite spots, sometimes in spectacular fashion. Superior floor vision due to his size. Capable of making the no-look pass, and is a good drive and dish player. Sometimes he doesn’t play aggressive enough, as UTEP had some chuckers over his career that shot them out of games at times. Unselfish to a fault at times. Nice handle, especially for his size. The biggest weakness with Stone’s game is undoubtedly his lack of shooting ability. Stone is without a doubt a terrible shooter, one who only took about 1.5 3’s a game and made only about 26% of them over his career. He has a basic form and his fundamentals aren’t bad, but his confidence in his shot isn’t good and neither is his touch. Poor range, and isn’t a factor off the dribble shooting either. He can be “Rondo’d”, as teams will play off of him and drive his screens every time until he becomes respectable. Hasn’t improved his shot any over his career, which is a major concern. Not a stretch to say he’s the worse shooter in the draft for a perimeter player. Also among the worst scorers too (Only 8.5 ppg as a Sr. on 5.8 attempts a night, although on 51% from the floor). Can get to the rim though and does a good job finishing when he actually tries to score, as you’d expect a guy with his physical profile. Would much rather create off the bounce for others than for himself.

Defensively, Stone is very effective. Has the size, length and athleticism to defend anything on the perimeter, from PG-SF. With his physical advantages, was obviously a big factor as a ball thief and an above average shot-blocker for a PG. A big-time rebounder from the PG position, averaging a team-leading 7 boards a night as a Sr. Plays with good intensity and fundamentals. Sometimes is lazy on closeouts, relying on his length too much. Could be a versatile weapon though on the defensive end, and could cause legit problems if matched with PG’s. Active hands and good feet.

Stone is a physical marvel at the PG position with plenty of versatility and unselfishness. He’s an atrocious shooter though, which will always limit him. Still, although he’s 22 years old and didn’t improve much at all as a shooter, he still seems to have some unharnessed talent, particularly as a scorer. He is an outstanding playmaker for others, and a guy who makes strong decisions, rarely turns the ball over, and who plays with his head up at all times, so he will get some looks. His ability on D and as a Swiss army knife make him a SUPER intriguing prospect though. He deserves some long looks at the end of the draft. He potentially could play a Thabo Sefolosha role.

57: Corey Joseph, 6’3 180, PG, Texas, Fr.

Not a huge fan of Joseph, and I’m definitely not high of his decision to leave Texas after such an average year were he did nothing to prove he was a pro. He is probably going to be a draft pick though, simply because of his HS hype, but he doesn’t have that many intriguing qualities. Physically, Joseph is alright. He has decent height for a PG at 6’3, which is taller than I thought he was, a thin build, and unspectacular length. Athletically, Joseph is probably below average for NBA standards. His quickness, speed, and agility all seem just OK, and he’s not special as a leaper either by any stretch.

Offensively, Joseph played as a SG for the most part at Texas, but he’s going to be developed as a PG in the pros. He played PG throughout HS, and showed some solid passing ability at Texas. He didn’t do anything special as a playmaker, and mostly just made basic passes in the flow of the offense and found open shooters, but he’s steady and looks like he’ll take care of the ball. Good IQ, especially for a 19 year old. His mediocre jets make him quite ordinary as a slasher, as does his simply OK handle. He didn’t look to drive much at Texas, and when he did he was a subpar finisher inside the arc, at about 43%. He doesn’t get all the way to the rim much, and utilizes a mid-range game because of it. Has a nice floater in his arsenal. As a shooter, Joseph is solid. He is good with his feet set and has consistent range out to about 22 feet, while also showing a compact shot and a nice touch. He’s alright as a mid-range player too. His shooting skills are about the same as former Longhorn guard Avery Bradley’s were last season, both are fundamental and have good set shots.

Defensively, Joseph wasn’t bad but he definitely isn’t spectacular either. He’s very fundamentally sound, moves his feet and keeps himself between his man and the rim as much as possible. Against the quality guards he faced (Lace Dunn, Jacob Pullen, Demetri McCamey in particular), he was made to look silly a few times though, and he simply doesn’t have the athleticism and size to make up when he gets beat. Has trouble handling quick 1st steps, and doesn’t have the strength to deny penetration effectively against good scorers and penetrators. Not going to be a threat in the passing lanes. Very well-coached on D, but he’s simply not physically gifted enough to really be more than OK on D.

Overall, Joseph’s projection is similar to Avery Bradley’s, except he’s worse athletically and has less length. He doesn’t have a standout trait at all really, and just seems to be merely OK across the board. He doesn’t look like he’ll take the risks necessary to turn the ball over much, he can make spot up jumpers from about 22 feet out, he is fundamental on D, and he’s pretty smart. Still he’s an ordinary physical and athletic presence, was shown up against the quality guys he matched up with a good bit, and he just doesn’t stand out anywhere. I think he would’ve been smart to return to Texas for his Sophomore year to show he could run the show from the PG spot. His upside is as a 2nd string PG who plays solid ball and plays within himself. He’s similar to an Eric Maynor-type, but not quite as good yet.

[providencefriars1Participant]

I’m not big on Julyan Stone I think I would prefer Wannamaker and Goudelock who are two guys who will be late 2nd rounders and played well at PIT. Stone wasn’t so hot at PIT. As for Joseph I feel like this is where he should be in terms of prospects but will get picked early 2nd round.

[MagikKnickParticipant]

I love these but i normally dont pay attention till you reach the mid-20s, but sheesh, Cory Joseph so low?? But..i guess im the only fan of CJoseph, so i shouldnt be surprised..

Good analysis though, haventt really seen Julyan Stone too much but the 6’7 super versatile point-forward seems very intruiging..

 

[Lotto StudParticipant]

I think out of all the PG prospects Joseph has the most to prove as of now. Since scouts has not seen him play the 1 at Texas. They would have to go back to his Findlay Prep tapes to get a feel for him. Even if he would have returned it still would have not did him any justice to try and play his natural position with incoming Fr. Myck Kabongo. What really stands out with Joseph is that he shot a high percentage from the outside as a 2. With him knocking it down from the outside, it shows he can be a solid PG who can help out in the perimeter game. He is a Farmar clone to me with his skill set and ability, he has to have a monster Pre-Draft workout for him to be selected in a solid area in the draft.

[JNixonParticipant]

That a good point about the Kabongo thing. I completely forgot he was coming in. Maybe Joseph wasn’t making a bad decision to leave. Still, he will probably be nailed to the bench for a while.

[RUDEBOY_Participant]

WHOAAAA!! I didnt Mean to Shout !! But you have Corey Joseph at 57? Earlier this year alot of Draft Sites had him in the lottery of their Mock Drafts…He seemed confused at times about where he should be during some games..

I think he’s 1 of those players that will be better in the pros..He’s solidly built,a good athlete,has nice shooting skills ,was decent rebounder for a point guard and has a very high basketball IQ….He played off the ball at Texas and that might help him just like it helped Eric Bledsoe….

Joseph should go in the 25 to 45 range….. 

[JNixonParticipant]

I don’t see why though. He’s not that good at anything. What has he shown besides a good HS rep that makes him better than alot of other players? Whenever he faced a good guard he got schooled. He’s not very athletic or big, and he doesn’t have an great off the dribble game. I don’t see what makes Joseph a great prospect. He does nothing above average, besides shoot the college 3-ball well when he spots up. He seems like a guy who will be nailed to the NBA bench for a while, and only emerges into a steady backup. And that’s at optimum upside.

[Lotto StudParticipant]

You’re tough $…………..If Joseph is #57 I know a lot of prospects missed the cut.

[JNixonParticipant]

It depends entire on who these "other guys" you’re talking about are.

[Lotto StudParticipant]

I’m just saying either you don’t like Jospeh or you’re snubbing some guys, but hey you can’t be too biased you have Pullen #60

[kobyzParticipant]

i don’t know what has not to like about Corey Joseph, he seems just solid at everithing with great feel for the game and very good basketball IQ, i think at least he will be Kirk Hinrich type!

[HaleParticipant]

I think 57 is pretty low, he may not be great at anything but he isn’t really bad at anything either. He for sure would be in my top 35. I do believe you’re right in that he will most likely be a 2nd unit guy for his career.

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