[JNixonParticipant]

 24: John Jenkins, 6’4 220, SG, Vanderbilt, Jr.

After a very good 3-year career in the SEC, where he led the SEC in scoring in both his Soph. and Jr. seasons, John Jenkins is firmly on the 1^st round radar. Was an absolutely prolific scorer in HS out in Tennessee (45 ppg as a Sr.), and he was an immediate scorer for Vandy. Averaged double figures scoring every year at Vandy. 1^st Team All-SEC as a Soph. and Jr., SEC 6^th Man of the Year as a Fr.,  3^rd Team AP All-American as a Jr. Physically, Jenkins isn’t great, but he should be able to hold his own though. He stands at 6’4, adequate for a SG, and he has a sturdy 220 lb frame and strong lower body. Seems to have passable length as well, wingspan probably around 6’6 or 6’7. Athletically, Jenkins is adequate, but not particularly impressive. He’s not very quick, explosive as a leaper, or fast, but he is shifty and has sufficient agility.

On offense, well, you know his strength. Jenkins was easily one of the very best shooters in the NCAA in during his time at Vandy, I think he was the best pure shooter in college hoops. He has everything you look for in a jump shooter, he can move around off the ball and hit shots off screens, is a good shooter off the bounce, and is deadly spotting up. Nearly just as effective in all of those areas, and is a constant threat to put the ball in the hoop with his deadly shot. Has easy NBA range. Shot about 6 3’s a night on average throughout his career, and made a scorching 43% of those attempts on average for his career. Will be able to come to the NBA and be a shooting specialist immediately for a team. From a mechanical standpoint, he is unmatched by any prospect in the draft. Has a super quick release, has his feet and shoulders squared at all times, shooting the same shot every time. He doesn’t get a whole lot of elevation, but definitely sufficient enough with his quick release. Rarely has the ball in his hands for a long time, preferring to put up a shot when he has any breathing room. As a slasher, Jenkins isn’t going to be a big threat. He is a fundamentally sound ball-handler, but he doesn’t have the quickness to be more than a sporadic threat getting to the rim. Not going to dance around with the ball and doesn’t show many moves off the bounce. 1^st step isn’t anything to write home about. When he puts the ball on the floor its usually to utilize a mid-range shot. Should look to develop a floater, as he has the touch for it and it would be useful for high percentage looks over taller frontline players. Doesn’t pass the ball much. Not a turnover prone player at all, usually shoots too quickly for that. Extremely efficient, especially for a player who shoots a bunch of jumpers and saw the amount of defensive attention he did his last 2 seasons. Not likely to play above the rim at all. Finishes well around the rim when he gets there showing good touch, mostly only gets to the rim when there is a lot of daylight. Makes few mistakes at the foul line. Doesn’t mind taking big shots. Could be best used on a team that likes to run and score, even though he is a very effective half-court player too.

Defensively, Jenkins will probably struggle a bit. He doesn’t have the lateral quickness or physical tools to be more than mediocre on D. Doesn’t deny penetration well against quicker guards. Will need to be masked by a good team defense. Wont get many steals. He tries and competes, and gets into a consistent stance.

Overall, Jenkins’ shooting skill will give him an opportunity to stick wherever he lands. He has enough size and ways to get his shot off to be a big factor, and is useful in an up-tempo or half-court style. He probably will always struggle on D, but he works on that end and can be masked by good frontline shot blockers and athletic teammates. I think he should be able to contribute soon, and stretch the defense. He is probably gonna be a late 1^st round pick.

 

23: Royce White, 6’8 260, SF/PF, Iowa State, Soph.

White checks in after a big-time all-around season in the Big 12, where he led Iowa State in scoring, assists, rebounds, steals and blocks. Was arguably the biggest matchup nightmare of any player in college hoops this past season. 1^st Team All-Big 12 in the lone college season he actually played any minutes in, and got Iowa State to the NCAA tournament for the 1^st time since 2005, leading them to the 2^nd round. Began his career at Minnesota, has had legal troubles in the past, that caused him to be dismissed from school and an anxiety disorder that has led to him being fearful of flying around the country. Before he played at ISU, he hadn’t played an official basketball game since his 2009 state championship game in HS. Didn’t hear a peep about him in terms of discipline this past season though. Whatever team picks him will have to especially monitor him repeatedly and make sure he doesn’t get involved in erratic behavior. Physically, White is a monster. He is a true combo forward with adequate height at 6’8, and an extremely imposing 260 lb frame that carries massive bulk. Really strong. Wide shoulders. He might be best suited to play closer to 250 lbs to get the most out of himself athletically, but he really is an intimidating physical presence. Seems to have at least adequate length too. Should watch his weight carefully. Athletically, White is very good for his size as well. He is highly coordinated and possesses high level speed and agility. Very respectable leaping skills and quickness.

On offense, lets just call White a Swiss army knife. He is at his best when making his way to the hoop. Plays very fast and aggressive, and is real hard to stop when he gets a head of steam. Probably wont see many people step in his way to take charges against him when he makes his way to the hoop, due to his size and athletic ability. Had a vast majority od ISU’s offense run through him this past year, and was highly successful doing so. His most outstanding skill as a prospect is arguably his passing, averaged 5 apg last year, which is unreal for a combo forward prospect. Able to find teammates with his superior floor vision, and is capable of making the flashy pass too. Good passer skills on the move. A lot of his passes where for real high percentage looks, usually be adept at finding cutters or people that get behind the defense for easy buckets. Standout passer in the post too. Rarely do his eyes look at the ground. With his passing and freedom came a bit more erratic play than usual, as he averaged nearly 4 topg. Will get a few offensive fouls against him due to his style of play. It’s a bit concerning, but it should look more normal when you take into account an NBA team isn’t going to expect him to run quite as much offense as he did last season. Likes to push tempo, especially off of his own rebounds. Excellent ball-handler for his position, and has a pretty quick 1^st step at his size. Able to use his strength to bully his way to the rim and keep guys on his hip. Will be a big factor taking slower PF’s off the dribble. Outstanding finisher, and can play above the rim. Draws fouls with his aggressive approach to slashing, and will finish through contact very well. Gets And-1’s. As a shooter, White is not very good right now. He rarely takes jumpers, and would be best served to at least develop a consistent spot-up shot from 15 to 18 feet. Had only 0.4 attempts a night last year from 3, and made 33% on those. Really shows no ability to shoot jump shots right now, and will be easier to defend until he develops at least a semi-respectable shot. As a post up player, he just has a basic right hand jump hook that he uses most times with his back to the rim, but he will throw in a quick spin move over his left shoulder to use his quickness and strength to beat you and seal for an easy basket. Prefers to use his strength and quickness in the post more than use an array of moves. Has good hands. Gets to the foul line pretty well, but is a real poor FT shooter (50% on 6 FTA a night ). Will need to work on that, and it shows his lacking jump shooting skills. Good active, and fundamentally sound offensive rebounder. Doesn’t have the most polished offensive game, but he can get better and his versatility helps.

Defensively, White is probably always just be adequate, due to him not having a steady position to defend. He defends PF’s better than SF’s right now, and has enough strength and athleticism to be a sufficient defender against 4’s. He might be a step slow laterally to consistently defend SF’s, but he could be able to still guard there from time to time. Not going to block many shots or make many game changing plays. Very good rebounder who boxes out and plays strong on the glass.

Overall, Royce White’s athleticism, physical tools, versatility and unique skills will make him a 1^st round selection. He has those anxiety concerns and character issues looming, but as long as he can manage that he will be an intriguing player. His jumper needs a lot of work, as do his overall polish, but there is more good than bad. Im interested to see where he lands, because he can be a real matchup weapon if he goes to the right coach. He will need some freedom and a creative minded team to be best utilized, but there probably isn’t a more unique prospect in this draft.

[WizardofOzParticipant]

Jenkins is a great shooter, but he reminds me of a less athletic and more one-dimensional JJ Reddick. Total one trick-pony. I like Doron Lamb better because he’s more versatile.

[JNixonParticipant]

 Doron Lamb isnt as versatile an overall shooter as Jenkins is. I do think Jenkins is like Reddick, but he’s got more size to him and is a better ball-handler for himself.

[providencefriars1Participant]

I think youve pegged White and Jenkins’s draft positions perfectly. I’ve seen many boards with both these guys either too high or low.

[mosdefParticipant]

I think Jenkins is a good player cuz he can spot up and curl off sets and still hit shots. he knows how to shoot. I wouldnt be surprised if Boston targeted either of the two with their back to backs

 

As for Royce White, earlier I was thinking about him for my team the GSW….yes I even thought of drafting him 7th overall. And even did so in my mock draft, which I have no idea how to post under my site name. Anyways…I know he wont go at 7 but his skill set would be good with the Ws. Steph Curry and Klay Thompson are deadly 3pt shooters and if they had a SF that could penetrate and dish I thought it would be perfect. Working on the jumper is actually the only skill set I know you can really improve in the NBA pretty quickly but White’s bulk, ability to handle and vision I think is what the Ws neeed

[iguapops420Participant]

 Lamb has better upside and his overall game is more versatile IMO. Not sure how Jenkins is listed in the top 30 of actual prospects as his ceiling is fairly limited as he doesn’t really have a lot more he’s going to get better at and has nearly topped out IMO. 

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