NBA Comparison: Rashard Lewis
Strengths: Solid athlete and left handed wing scorer that can score from all three levels … Really strong shooter from both the outside and midrange, stretches the floor … First step is strong and can take defenders off of the dribble … Capable passer who has some play making ability, unselfish … Solid conditioning, able to stay on the court for long periods of time … Has definitely put in a lot of work on his body and gained significant amount of weight during time in college without losing speed in the process … Range looks to be out to NBA 3-pt range, while shooting over 80% FT as well … His length is not tremendous, though has good size for a SF regardless … Has versatility to maybe play wing guard as well as showing some perimeter defensive ability … Will finish with either hand and is a threat near the basket … Lets the game come to him, rarely forces the issue and plays under control … Will take advantage of height advantage to post smaller wings … Gets shots in a variety of ways, through cuts, spot-up and even can be a threat off the step back … When he is focused, can be a disruptive wing defender due to his size
Weaknesses: Though he has worked on his body, he still has a slight frame and needs to add upper body strength, which would allow him to play tougher … Vast majority of offense comes as a shooter, definitely affected by lack of girth in his hesitation to drive … Not a great rebounder, which again points to strength … Length is not exceptional and also may contribute to issues on the boards and possibly defensively at the NBA level … At times he’s not assertive enough, settling for jump shots rather than trying to use his size, speed and handle to his advantage … Averaged very few offensive rebounds, especially on a team that was missing size and could have used them … Defensive effort is questionable at times and must work on awareness at that end … Relatively low rate of getting to the FT stripe for how much he had the ball … Though he is a sophomore, his age is actually in accordance with being an older junior … Consistency as a go-to scorer still largely inconclusive, does he have the confidence and muscle to take on a sizable scoring load at the next level?
Notes: Measured 6’8.5 (in shoes) 204 lbs, with a 6’8.5 wingspan at the 2012 Kevin Durant Skills Academy … transferred from Mississippi St. to Duke after his freshman year … Highly regarded high school player who has been strong as an “up-transfer” in going to a higher profile program … One of the top shooters in the NCAA this season, amongst leaders in TS% while shooting close to 48% FG and 43% 3PT … After being touted as having dominated Duke practices during his redshirt transfer year, has been a solid 2nd option for the Blue Devils … Projects to a versatile wing, possibly a very strong scoring option if he fills out a bit more … Seen as a probable lottery selection who should go no later than the mid-first round …
Michael Visenberg 3/17/14
Social
Tweets by nbadraftnet