NBA Comparison: Elfrid Payton/Marcus Williams

Strengths: Tall, athletic point guard with above average athleticism and defensive ability … Pass first point guard  who has honed his playmaking skills over 4 years at Virginia … Has a big wingspan and near shooting guard size at 6’3 with a 8’4.5 standing reach … Legitimate point guard skills, showing very good ability in pick and roll, and adept lob skills … Attacks the rim for some highlight dunks, both on the break and in the half court … Utilizes his length and quickness well to be a menace as an on ball defender … Efficient distributor with a 3-1 A/TO ratio … 6.2 assists to 2.1 turnovers … Four year career at Virginia, showing steady progression from an efficiency standpoint … Regressed some as a senior but did shoot 35% from three on a high volume as a junior, making 2.2 per game … Utilizes the runner well to get shots over big men in the paint … Shows good not great touch on his shot, and could improve some over time as a perimeter shooter …

Weaknesses:  Shooting and scoring ability are a work in progress … Nearly 23 years of age making his upside somewhat limited … Career 32% 3 point and 76% FT shooter. While solid numbers, not the efficiency you would like from a point guard shooting the ball … Turns 23 in October, meaning he’s probably close to his development peak than other prospects … Limited ability to knock down jumpshots … Shooting stroke has some mechanical flaws … Shot has improved but still takes a while to get off … Struggles some playing off the ball, not very efficient in catch and shoot situations …

Outlook: Projected as a mid second rounder to undrafted player … Considered a solid likelihood to be a 2-way guy after the draft … Will need to impress teams in Summer league and Training camp, as well as probably pay his dues in G-league to get his real shot …

Notes: Measured 6′ 1.50” barefoot, 8′ 4.50” standing reach, 190.6 lbs and a 6′ 7.00” wingspan and a 30.5 inch standing vertical and a 38′ inch max vertical at the 2023 NBA Draft Combine … Measured: 6′ 1.25” barefoot, 196.4 lbs, 6′ 6.50” wingspan, 8′ 4.00” standing reach, 30 standing vert, 36.5 max vert at the 2024 NBA Draft Combine … Milwaukee, Wisconsin native …

Aran Smith 6/26/24