[JNixonParticipant]

 38: Kevin Murphy, 6’7 195, SG/SF, Tennessee Tech, Sr.

A prospect hasn’t been watched much at all by many, even the most hardcore fans, is the big-time scorer Kevin Murphy who lit the Ohio Valley Conference on fire his last 3 years in college. Improved every year as a scorer and really stepped up as a 3-point shooter this past year. Had a 50 point game as a Sr. Physically, Murphy has the size of an NBA swingman at 6’7 195. He’s got an average 6’7 wingspan and he’s a little thin (could use about 5-10 lbs), but he definitely looks like an NBA wing. Athletically, Murphy is average. He possesses adequate speed, explosiveness, quickness and leaping ability, along with having a nice level of fluidity.

On offense, Murphy just has a knack for putting the ball in the hoop. He really is a nice shooter and he plays with a ton of confidence. Not afraid to let it fly from deep at all. Has legit NBA range and will knock down shots both off the dribble, in transition, off screens or spotting up. Excellent shooting mechanics. Also deadly from mid-range, where he loves to create shots and pull up. Has a knack for making shots with a hand in his face, but also is a bit of a shot hunter and will take his share of bad shots. Whether its because he was on a bad team or just his nature as a player is something teams will have to find out. Really tough cover with his jump shot, because it opens up slashing opportunities for him as well. Has the kind of size and high release you look for in a pure shooter, which definitely works in his favor. As a slasher, Murphy is not great and usually doesn’t look to get all the way to the rim off the bounce. He got the the rim a bit against OVC competition, but its doubtful he will that often against pro-level athleticism and size. Would much rather shoot an off-balance shot than take the ball strong to the rim when he sees a big man protecting the rim. Works well off the ball and is really good at using screens to create shot space or quick slashing lanes. Real middling ball-handler, and doesn’t have any real advanced moves in his arsenal. Has a rangy stride on straight-lin slashes, but not going to get to the rim a lot in pure isolation. Not likely to pass the ball a lot. Will have to round out his game to not being a featured offensive weapon. Has some untapped upside, and the size to be a threat as a shooter if he adjusts his game. Got to the foul line at an OK rate (kinda below average for his level of competition though) and isn’t as good at the foul line as you’d expect a shooter of his caliber to be. Doesn’t seem like a big transition threat in terms of getting run-outs.

Defensively, Murphy has adequate tools but will have to adjust. He gets lazy in his stance at times and doesn’t deny penetration as well as you’d like to see from a guy who faces lower level competition. Doesn’t show much toughness. Doesn’t have a history of defending NBA level athletes and physical presences. Doesn’t have bad fundamentals most times, and is at least a decent effort defender. Has the ability to develop into a guy who wont stand out, but also doesn’t get torched. There have been worse rebounders than him from the wing.

Murphy reminds me a lot of Morris  Almond, and even though Almond flamed out in the NBA he was a 1^st round pick who had more chances than Murphy. Murphy will likely be a guy who doesn’t get selected in the 1^st and a team can develop him as they choose. His jump shot is nice, and he really does have a knack for putting the ball in the hoop. He needs to improve his shot selection and go against the grain and adjust to not having the ball as much as he did in the OVC. He has more raw upside than your average Sr. prospect though.

37: Mike Scott, 6’8 245, PF, Virginia, Sr.

Scott is a prospect who used a breakout season for both himself and the Virginia basketball program, who made the tournament for the 1^st time in 5 years, to ascend in the rankings of prospects. Scott suffered an ankle injury that caused him to miss his true Sr. season, and he played with his ankle nagging him as a 5^th year Sr. Was a 1^st Team All-ACC performer as a Sr. Physically, Scott is adequate but mainly average. He stands 6’8 with what seems to be an average wingspan. He does have a strong body with a kind of wide waist. Athletically, Scott is also average. He doesn’t have great explosiveness as a leaper, also it is fairly underrated, and he isn’t particularly fast, quick or agile. Will be 24 by the start of the NBA season.

Offensively, Scott has some nice tools and a relatively mature game. He likes to play with his back to the rim, but also is a decent face-up shooter. In the post, Scott seals well and is willing to bang. Also has a pretty soft touch. He has a nice right hand jump hook and is most decisive with that move than any other move he has in his arsenal. Shows a turnaround jumper as well that he likes to use when he flips his left shoulder. Might struggle to get shots off consistently against long armed, athletic PF’s down low, but he is crafty about drawing contact and creating space, using his decisiveness in and out of his moves and his off-arm to get shots. Generally plays under control with the ball in his hands, but can be forced into tough shots at times when defenders well. As a shooter, Scott is solid from the 15-18 ft area. Looks nice making shots in the pick and pop game, and it is a tool he’ll need as a PF with middling physical tools. Shows good shot selection too, and doesn’t settle for jumpers when he has room to hit the lane or dive to the hoop. Touch and shot mechanics are adequate. Can get streaky, but the fact that he developed a jumper after being mostly a back to basket, pick and roll player in his 1^st 3 or 4 years is encouraging. A nice pick and roll player, and will finish strong or above the rim when he gets a running start. Will get you And-1’s. Plays with good energy and is a reasonably active offensive rebounder. Not a face-up player who will take guys off the dribble much, and doesn’t show a lot in terms of a 1^st step or ball-handling. Ability to draw contact and willingness to play aggressive makes him a threat to get to the line, and he is a solid FT shooter when he gets there. Not bad passing the ball. Not likely to be much of a transition threat, although he is OK running the floor.

Defensively, Scott isn’t bad. He has the lower body strength to stagnate backdowns from average sized bigs and some bigger ones, and he has solid fundamentals. Will struggle with taller, longer bigs who can score over him though. Not one to block shots. Pretty savvy, and understands positioning. Wont be too bad in the pick and roll because of that. Quicker PF’s will be able to get some hay off the bounce against him though.  Solid, solid rebounder.

Overall, after heavy consideration I added Scott to the list. He had a productive Sr. year and has the mature game to be a solid role player possibly. Was pretty productive leading up to his Sr. year and was about to breakout as a Jr. before his injury. But the jump shot he has is steady and the fact that he ships in rebounds and the ability to post some is a plus. He also will at least be adequate defensively in most cases, athough limited. He has role player potential.

[Hi its BenParticipant]

Jorrye who did you take out that was in Scott’s spot?

[JNixonParticipant]

 Leon Radosevic, he’s a Euro prospect. I did my list about 3 weeks back, and I decided to take him out because I havent seen him play this year and couldnt find ANY game footage on him from this year anywhere.

[RUDEBOY_Participant]

LMAO!! Now that you have put Mike Scott on your List..

I’m Waiting to you what that guy ZackB757 has to say that called you a Smart A$$ …Becuz you didnt have Mike Scott in your Top 60…hahahaha

[JNixonParticipant]

 That man was sooooo mad about me leaving him out, so when I dropped Radosevic I felt like I had to put Mike Scott in the countdown somewhere lol

[Wahoo757Participant]

No I wasn’t mad at all, I actually said I respected your opinion on him after you actually answered my question, I was a little frustrated when you initially joked on me for asking my question. But that’s besides the point, I’m glad to see you came around on Scott. Undersized 4s that are tough, high motor guys that can hit the mid-range shot have become commodities in the NBA.

[JNixonParticipant]

 Lol I really wasnt joking on you, that’s the sad part. I answered exactly what you asked me.

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