NBA Comparison: Dominique Jones/Ben Gordon

Strengths: Waiters’ style of play reflects your prototypical combo-guard … At 6’4 with a strong physical foundation, Waiters can play both on and off the ball throughout stretches of a game … He’s a scorer at heart, but his ability to create off the dribble results in open looks for teammates, which Waiters is capable of finding as a passer …  Always looking to get out in transition, he can change directions off the bounce, effectively absorb and deflect contact and finish at the rim … Uses screens well off the dribble, recognizes when to hesitate and accelerate over the top … He’s an above average shooter with NBA range … Comfortable shooting off the dribble inside the arch and via catch and release outside the arch … Athleticism allows him to penetrate the heart of the defense, where he’s illustrated a soft touch on his floater … Defensively he has active hands and quick feet, and is a constant threat to steal the ball when defending a loose/careless handle … Often comes out of nowhere for pokes and swipes as an off-ball defender …

Weaknesses: He’s clearly not a point guard, so you wonder how he’ll perform offensively against athletic 6’6 NBA 2-guards … Would see a huge rise in stock if he can learn to facilitate in the halfcourt as a quarterback … Struggles at times creating good shots in the halfcourt … With his athleticism and bounce off the dribble, paired with the ability to explosively elevate, Waiters should attack the rim more often (only attempts 2.5 free throws per game) … Needs to improve as a free throw shooter in general (only 70%) … Playing at the top of the zone, he hasn’t had the experience defending prolific 1s or 2s in isolation…

Overall: Waiters definitely has a future in the NBA playing the same role he does in college … He’s a spark off the bench, can spell your point guard and spread the floor as a spot-up shooter … In only 22 minutes of action, he racks up 13 points, 3 assists, 2.3 steals on an impressive 52% shooting … With Scoop Jardine and Kris Joseph graduating, Waiters will have the chance to maximize his value as a junior, with late lottery not an unrealistic goal/landing range

Jonathan Wasserman 1/17/12