Strengths: A 4 year, scoring machine out of Villanova, this Big East Player of the Year candidate has been the a huge part of the offense for his team the past few years… Quick first step with a good, not great handle, uses creative and crafty moves to find enough space to get a shot off … Great touch and feel for the basket allows him to hit off balance, awkward shots without needing to square up … Quick and elusive with the ball, seems he can get off a shot every time he touches it … Has a nice pull up mid-range game, as well as deep range, whether its spotting up or shooting off the dribble … His shooting percentages have risen from his junior to senior year, illustrating his improved shot selection which has been questioned in the past … Still, remains a dangerous threat to get hot and score in bunches … Because he can get into the lane so easily, he opens things up for others … His impressive body control allows him to make tough shots and convert after contact when driving into the lane … he has shown nice improvement in his decision making and all around game in his senior year becoming a Big East POY candidate …

Weaknesses: Another case of a great college player who lacks a position at the next level … He’s more of a scorer than a playmaking point guard, but he’s too undersized to play the 2 in the NBA … He’s quick but not explosive, and just because he makes tough shots doesn’t mean he’s a great athlete … He’s not much of a passer, averaging just over 3 assists per game… Even when he does open things up by penetrating, he’s often the one shooting the ball when sometimes there are better options available, especially in the NBA where he wont be able to finish in the lane as easily … Defensively, one on one he is a liability in college, and it won’t get any easier at the next level … If he guards the 1, opponents are likely to blow by him, and he’s not big or athletic enough to guard the 2 in the NBA

Overall: His ability to score is unquestioned … He’s had multiple 40 point games in a tough Big East, and shown the ability to carry a team on his back … However, he’s way too undersized to be that type of scorer at the next level, and he just hasn’t shown he’s a good enough playmaker at the point to run an NBA team … Defensively he’s not athletic enough to keep up with point guards, and lacks height to guard bigger and stronger shooting guards … He entered his name in the draft last year, but didn’t receive great feedback, resulting in his return to college for his senior year … It would enhance his chances of being drafted in the 2nd round if Nova’ made a run in this year’s big dance …

Jon Wasserman 3/11/10