NBA Comparison: Mario Chalmers

Strengths: A slender but rangy 6’3 combo guard with a 6’9 wingspan who played his best basketball during the conference slate (with teammate Ashton Hagans out) for another loaded Kentucky team in 2019-2020 … Voted SEC Player of the Year in 2019-2020 by the conference’s coaches and really became a dangerous offensive weapon, emerging from a reserve player into a reliable scorer with some strong shooting performances (42% from 3) as a Soph … Has developed into a very good shooter (particularly spot up) from the perimeter … Has also shown budding ability to hit 1-dribble rhythm shots off the bounce, as well as running off screens and pin downs anywhere from 12 ft to the college 3 … Quick, consistent mechanics when spotting up, and is effective as an outlet shooter in transition or as a floor spacer in the half court … Also developed into a clutch player and Kentucky’s best option at the end of games … Has shown the ability to rack up points without putting the ball on the floor … Likes to utilize hesitation moves going in either direction as his foundation of moves to free up space to create … Flashes solid ability to make floaters after attacking closeouts and was also effective at drawing fouls when he gets in the lane … Shows smooth athleticism, with long-striding speed and good body control … Possesses the length and quickness to be able to defend both guard spots and often showed he could be effective pressuring the ball in college … Has a good amount of big-game experience having played nearly 2 full seasons for a big-time program like Kentucky … Very efficient from the charity stripe, shooting right at 90% for his career including a sterling 92% on 5 attempts/gm as a Soph … Adequate rebounder for a guard … Could fit into a role as an instant offense player given his playing strengths … Despite relatively scarce minutes there during his 1st 2 seasons, Quickley came to college as a touted PG, so he has some experience running a team … His 1-year improvement as an off-ball player speaks to his work ethic and buy-in, especially the jump in efficiency with his perimeter shooting …

Weaknesses: While Quickley blossomed into the leading scoring weapon for Kentucky, he does not have the most polished all-around offensive skill set … Not very strong and lacking more than average explosiveness as an athlete, he struggles to finish near the rim, seeing his effectiveness plummet when forced to finish amongst the trees … Tends to shy away from contact on both ends, doesn’t seem to be much of a physical player … Prone to settling for low percentage shots inside the arc, mostly attempts runners and floaters and generally needing a head of steam to get all the way to the hoop … Mediocre ball-handler for a guard prospect, loses effectiveness the more he dribbles in the half court … He’s an unselfish player, but he isn’t a natural playmaker for others and at times is predictable with what he’s trying to do … While he’s a solid on-ball defender and causes some deflections, he has been unspectacular when it comes to generating steals and blocks despite having above average length and active feet …The niche he’s trying to fit as an undersized scoring “tweener” guard is a growing one in the NBA, but its not common that players with his efficiency struggles inside the arc fill said role for extended time … 21 year old player with 2 years of college experience and still hasn’t added much weight to his frame … Low assist rates for a guy with PG experience … May struggle some with confidence and consistency as he doesn’t show the same cockiness/alpha personality of some players, which also could allow him to thrive in a rotational role …

Overall: Quickley’s calling card is his jump shot, and it is a skill that largely has him projected anywhere from late 1st round to 2nd round in the 2020 draft … He has Kentucky pedigree, and was really hitting his stride as a Sophomore before the season abruptly came to an end after a mostly average Freshman season playing rotational minutes in a crowded backcourt featuring first round picks Tyler Herro and Keldon Johnson … He needs to add weight and strength, as he will struggle with the physical rigors of the NBA until he does, as well as just become a bit more well-rounded on the offensive end … Still he will be worth a look for a team looking for youth and perimeter shot making … Shaping up to be one of the draft’s top 2nd round sleepers …

Notes: Measured: 6’2.00” barefoot, 6’3.00” in shoes, 8’3.00” standing reach, 185.8 lbs, and 6’8.25” wingspan at the 2020 NBA Combine … Measured 6’3 without shoes, 6’3.5 with shoes, 178 lbs, with a 6’7.75 wingspan and 8’2.5 standing reach at the June 2017 USA U19 tryouts (at 18 years of age) …  Projected by many as a second round pick for the 2020 NBA draft … Rated as the 25th prospect entering college by ESPN … Native of Havre de Grace, Maryland …

Jorrye Nixon 9/5/20

Strengths: 6’3.5 point guard … Good length for position with a 6’8 wingspan and 8’3.5 standing reach … Good quickness … Good body control when altering shot midair … Possesses ideal lead guard skills and basketball IQ. Unselfish, doesn’t force offense, and makes the extra pass. Averaged 3.4 assists per game at adidas Nations in 2016. Also, passed 28 assists to only three turnovers at adidas Nations in 2017, finished second in assists with 4.7 per game. Averaged 3.3 assists to 1.9 turnovers per game over the adidas Gauntlet … Can fill it up as a scorer. Averaged 16 points per game over the adidas Gauntlet … Sound jump shot and shoots well from outside. Shot 38.2% (13-34) from three over the adidas Gauntlet and 83.3% (5-6) over four games at the NBPA Top 100 … Good touch on floater … Draws fouls at a good rate. Shot 5.8 free throws per game over the addias Gauntlet and four per game at the NBPA Top 100 … Good rebounder for position. Averaged 4.8 per game at adidas Nations … Good length, quickness, and awareness as a defender. Active hands. Puts pressure on the ball and picks up full court. Finished second in steals with two per game at adidas Nations and averaged 1.5 per game over the adidas Gauntlet …

Weaknesses: Isn’t a standout athlete. Quick but lacks explosive ability … Shot 38.5% from the floor at adidas Nations in 2016, 40% in 2017, and 40.9% over the adidas Gauntlet … Production isn’t always consistent. Free throw shooting was up and down over the summer going into his senior year … Good ballhandler but doesn’t break down the defense or create much in the half court … Low release point on his shot …

Outlook: Incoming Kentucky freshman … Passed eight assists in the McDonald’s All-American Game … Helped USA Red 2018 to win the adidas Nations championship with 15 points, six rebounds, eight assists, four steals, and no turnovers …

Evan Tomes 7/11/18

Notes: Measured 6’3 without shoes, 6’3.5 with shoes, 178 lbs, with a 6’7.75 wingspan and 8’2.5 standing reach at the June 2017 USA U19 tryouts