NBA Comparison: Marcus Williams (UConn)

Strengths: Nix was surrounded by other five-star prospects while playing with the G League Ignite, and he was still the maestro of the offense… A world class conductor with the ball in his hands, Nix always seems relaxed and patient, waiting for the perfect pass to whip to a cutting teammate…Averaged 5.3 assists per game this season…His time in the G League was filled with extraordinary alley-oops, no-look dimes and many other delightful assists to his teammates…The Alaska native is also a ferocious rebounded for his size, averaging 5.3 per game…Even though he was playing against older, more seasoned competition, it often looked as though Nix had been playing the longest with his calm maturity on the ball…The 6’4 point guard is also a stout defender, nabbing a steal per game while usually in the right place defensively…Undersized as a shooting guard in the NBA, his 225-pound frame should help him switch to play solid off-ball defense as well… Nix at just 19-years-old with plenty of raw talent and athleticism, could compel teams near the end of the second round to pick up the smooth passer …

Weaknesses: With a ghastly three-point percentage of 17%, and a scoring average under nine points per game, it is certainly fair to worry about the offensive ceiling for Nix…With his patience for the pass, he doesn’t have the same recognition while hunting his own shot…Is mostly unable to generate his own offense yet, while still focusing his dribble penetration on getting looks for teammates…Point guards at the NBA need to be able to knock down jumpers, as spacing and three-point shooting have become extremely valuable, but Nix rarely shoots outside of the paint…Also averaged almost three turnovers per game, showing that he still needs to grow on that aspect of the game as well…It was clearly a massive jump for Nix going from high school to the G League, and the jump to the NBA is an even bigger cazam…Despite his elite speed, his lack of shooting touch, turnovers and inability to score hurt his draft stock tremendously.

Notes: Measured: 6’3.0” barefoot, 6’4.25” in shoes, 8’4.0” standing reach, 225.6 lbs, 6’6.75” wingspan at the 2021 NBA Draft …

Michael Hopp 7/26/21

Strengths: 6’4 point guard … Good size for position … Very good ball handler, court vision, and passing ability. Alert with very good instincts. Reads and reacts, doesn’t predetermine his offense. Knows where the pass is going before he receives the ball. Effective distributing in the half-court and leading in transition. Very good timing on lead passes, hits teammates in stride and makes accurate cross-court passes. Finds teammates at times when they don’t realize they’re open … Quick, shifty, and creative with the ball. Breaks down the defense and is effective with his dribble, changing speed and direction to fit into tight spaces. Splits defenders. Gets to the middle to dump off to the open man or kick to the open shooter when the help comes. Makes one-handed passes on the move with either hand. Difficult to pressure in the back court and isn’t fazed by a defender guarding him tight, keeping his dribble alive … Good body control and shows creativity as a finisher, scoring at various angles. Can drive going to his left or right … Solid strength. Initiates and handles contact well offensively, draws fouls at a good rate. Shields the ball on drives and anytime in traffic … Improved as a shooter during his senior year, showing ability to hit from NBA 3PT range without hesitation … Good defender on and off the ball. Sticks to his man in a defensive stance and has a knack for clean swipes on the ball. Anticipates and jumps passing lanes with quick hands. Averaged 1.4 steals per game at the NBPA Top 100 in 2019. Good timing and shot blocking ability for position …  Solid rebounder for position and has a quick second jump on offensive boards …

Weaknesses: Isn’t an explosive athlete and plays below the rim. Good creativity but finishing at the rim against length may be an obstacle at the next levels … Shooting definitely progressed his senior year but it’s still an area he can continue to improve. Can improve as a free throw shooter as well … Doesn’t score much from midrange, generally maneuvers to the rim even if the paint is congested. Can incorporate a pull-up jumper … Can be turnover prone with his ability/attempts to make tough plays with the ball …

Outlook: Forgoing college to play for the NBA G-League’s Pathway Program’s inaugural season … 2020 Grind Session MVP … Named to the 2019 Grind Session 1^st Team …

Evan Tomes 11/17/20

Strengths: 6’4 point guard … Good size for position … Very good ball handler, court vision, and passing ability. Alert with very good instincts. Reads and reacts, doesn’t predetermine his offense. Knows where the pass is going before he receives the ball. Quick, shifty, and creative with the ball. Breaks down the defense and is effective with his dribble, changing speed and direction to fit into tight spaces. Gets to the middle to dump off to the open man or kick to the open shooter when the help comes. Makes one-handed passes on the move with either hand. Hits teammates in stride and makes accurate cross-court passes. Difficult to pressure in the back court and isn’t fazed by a defender guarding him tight, keeping his dribble alive. Effective leading in the half-court and transition … Good body control and shows creativity as a finisher, scoring at various angles. Can drive going to his left or right. Shields the ball on drives and anytime in traffic … Solid strength and handles contact well … Good defender on and off the ball. Sticks to his man in a defensive stance. Anticipates and jumps passing lanes with quick hands. Averaged 1.4 steals per game at the NBPA Top 100 in 2019 …  Solid rebounder for position …

Weaknesses: Isn’t an explosive athlete and plays below the rim. Good creativity but finishing at the rim against length may be an obstacle at the next levels … Shooting results can be hit and miss. He drops his jump shot on his shoulder a bit and his stance can be a bit staggered … Doesn’t score much from midrange, generally maneuvers to the rim even if the paint is congested. Can incorporate a pull-up jumper and expand overall scoring arsenal …

Outlook: UCLA commit … Named to the 2019 Grind Session 1^st Team …

Evan Tomes 12/12/19