[JNixonParticipant]

 36: Andrew Nicholson, 6’9 230, PF/C, St. Bonaventure, Sr.

A prospect who has been on the scouting radar since his Soph. season, Andrew Nicholson is a player that has some qualities you love to see from a PF/C prospect. Pretty intriguing prospect who can improve a bit more, despite being a 4 year college player. Averaged double figures scoring in every year at St. Bonaventure, and was a 2 Time All A-10 performer and honorable mention as a Soph. Honorable Mention All-American as a Sr. Physically, Nicholson is a long 6’9 frontline player who has big hands, a 7’4 wingspan, and a 230 lb frame that can probably hold about 10-15 lbs easily. He’s a bit skinny now though. Athletically, Nicholson isn’t great. A bit awkward running the floor and isn’t especially quick or explosive. Has adequate agility though.

Offensively, Nicholson has some pretty nice skills and will only get better as he adds strength. Shows a nice post game, and really good moves. Can hit jump hooks with both hands, and his length allows him to get those shots pretty well because of his extension around the hoop. Also has spin moves and a turnaround jumper around the baseline he likes to go to. Pretty hard to defend, especially against A-10 competition, because he has a diverse post game and the length to get shots off effectively. Real soft touch. Capable of making moves that jump out of the screen at you. Very good hands and rarely bobbles passes. Also utilizes counter moves well. Will need more strength to be able to get post position against NBA bigs, but has the game to compete when he does. On top of his nice post game, Nicholson also has a face-up game that has developed nicely over time and adds to his intrigue. Able to stretch out to as far out as 22 ft and hit shots. Not the most polished or consistent shooter and will need to work on it a bit more, even though it is nice that he has developed it. Him gaining weight, or further developing his jumper will determine how fast he gets on the floor in the NBA. Not going to get all that many offensive rebounds, and doesn’t seem to be very physical or all that tough. Scouts have questioned his physicality before as well. Not going to factor much in the transition game. Wont play above the rim amongst the trees very often. Decent FT shooter.

Defensively, Nicholson has the length to be effective when it comes to contesting and will get you a few blocks, but he doesn’t have the lateral quickness, strength or toughness to be the defender he could be with his length. Doesn’t fight down low in the post often, and can be pinned down low and allow deep position for bigs in the post. Will have to adjust to defending PF’s in the NBA after mostly defending C’s in college. Can be faced up and beat to the rim by quick PF’s. Not very good defending the pick and roll, will need a lesson in hedging harder. Just OK on the defensive glass.

Overall, Nicholson will be an interesting prospect because he can post and face-up, and he still has upside. He is a smart player, but will need more strength or to polish his face-up to take advantage of his skills and get on an NBA court as fast as possible. He was extremely productive for the Bonnies, and could go anywhere from last 1^st round to somewhere in the 2^nd round.

 

35: Alex Young, 6’6 217, SG/SF, IUPUI, Sr.

Young has been a prospect who has had intrigue since his Jr. year, but some duds against quality BCS schools dropped his stock in the eyes of many scouts. He played in a small conference, but the same school at IUPUI that produced Pacers guard George Hill, who was a 1^st round pick 3 years ago. Young had a great career, and was a double digit scorer each of his 4 years. 1^st Team All-Summit League his last 3 years. Left-handed. Physically, Young has solid physical tools for a swingman at 6’6 with a nice, solidly built 217 lb frame and a 6’11 wingspan. He looks like an NBA wing. Athletically, Young is nice too. He has solid leaping skills when he gets a running start and shows a good burst, speed and explosiveness.

On offense, Young has a knack for scoring and has the upside to improve a bit more too. He’s known for his aggressive approach. As a shooter, Young is pretty good. Shows a lot of confidence and will let it fly from NBA range. Mostly a streak shooter, but is dangerous when he makes his 1^st shot. Able to make tough shots at times. Quick release. Can score off screening action, and does a nice job moving off the ball. Needs a lesson in shot selection though, as he is a bit of a chucker who will often shoot way too early in the shot clock and against heavy contests. Has the ability to be more efficient if he tones down his habit of shooting so many bad shots. A nice shot, but never shot above 40% from deep in the Summit League, mostly due to his shot selection. Likes to shoot off the dribble and create shots for himself, but isn’t particularly good with his feet set. As a slasher, Young has the 1^st step to be a threat, but he settles for jumpers more than he should and doesn’t have the ball-handling skills to consistently break guys down and get to the rim, even against lower level competition. Very left-handed, and can have his strong hand sat on by the defense, which hurt him against some of the quality competition he faced. Usually only gets to the rim when he already has a step on defenders because of a hard closeout. Doesn’t pass the ball much. Will get shots around the rim by cutting to the rim, and is capable of finishing strong around the rim. Improved his FT% every year in college. Will likely be a factor in transition with his athleticism and length.

Defensively, Young isn’t very good and its mostly due to effort, sadly. Doesn’t fight through screens with any urgency and is lazy closing out on shooters. Can be effective when he tries, especially with his physical skills. Will get in the passing lanes and also isn’t bad at blocking shots for a wing (averaged 1 bpg as a Sr.). Fundamentals aren’t great, and gets beat off the bounce a bit too for his tools and level of competition. Will chip in rebounds a bit.

Young’s main value comes in his raw ability to put the ball in the hoop. He is a streaky offensive player who needs better IQ and shot selection, and IUPUI wasnt a great team despite his presence on the team is a little concerning, but he can get points and get them in bunches. He falls asleep at the wheel on D, but a coach may like his offense enough to take a flyer on him. He reminds me of Jermaine Taylor, who was a draft choice and had a short stay in the NBA a few years ago.

[xavier328Participant]

 Andrew Nicholson= Taj Gibson

[jmarg25Participant]

I have Young going in the first round to the Bulls. They need scoring off the bench, and Thibs will show him how to play some defense.

 

[the I in winParticipant]

Craig Brackins

[providencefriars1Participant]

I may be in the minority with this opinion but I would not mind if the Celtics took Nicholson with one of their first round picks. Even though this is a bit of a reach, I like his game and how he improved his game significantly each year. I think he could do well as a third big and eventually take the reigns at PF from KG. I know the PF is probably Boston’s deepest position but Nicholson is a talent I would not pass up.

[Wahoo757Participant]

As a Celtics fan, I would not mind one bit if they drafted Nicholson. He is one of the top inside outside bigmen in the draft, and his biggest weaknesses as of now are his lack of strength (he’ll add weight once he gets in the NBA) and his defense (KG will be able to teach him a thing or two since he already has a DPOY). If I were ranking these guys, Nicholson would be around 20 due to his offensive versatility and his intellgence (physics major) should serve him well in the league, so in my mind I wouldn’t think it would be that big of a reach.

[Knicksboy42Participant]

 I really hope Young is there for the Knicks pick. That, or the Knicks pay the 3 mil to get a first rounder to take him. 

[jerb2011Participant]

Andrew Nicholson=poor man’s LaMarcus Aldridge/Channing Frye

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