NBA Comparison: John Salmons

Strengths: Combo guard, Shake Milton, brings a 6′ 6”, 207 pound frame with a massive 7’0.75” wingspan to the table … This size paired with the ability to play point guard give him two position (offensive and defensive) potential at the next level … A creative passer and above average ball handler, Milton can wreak havoc in transition, and excels throwing precise lobs and knowing where his teammates are on the court … Averaging 4.5 assists per game as a junior, Shake acted as SMU’s primary ball handler and distributor … While not necessarily a pure point, this experience has certainly prepped him to line up at the one within rotations in the NBA … Milton is a creative finisher around the rim, who excels at getting in the lane with crossovers and a quick first step … His 5.0 FT attempts per game last season is an above average number and Shake converted at an impressive .85% clip … His shooting beyond the arc is also a calling card when looking at translatable skills … Milton shot over 42% every single season at the college  level, and has the ability to stretch his range to the NBA line … He also hit 4 or more three pointers 8 times during his junior season with the Mustangs. For the first time in his collegiate career, Milton also proved he could be a primary scorer and averaged 18 ppg last season while not letting his efficiency drop too much … Shake shot 45% from the field, and even went for 33 points in a win over Wichita State … A pretty solid rebounder, he pulled down 4.7 per contest, and has the size to hit the glass in the NBA as well … While not the quickest or most explosive player, Milton’s great wingspan and size should make him at least an average defender when looking to the next level … He averaged 1.4 steals and .6 blocks last season, both solid numbers for a guard.

Weaknesses: Shake lacks top end speed and athleticism many elite guard prospects possess … During the combine, he only sported a 33” max vertical, and his speed and agility drills were middle of the pack at best … These limits may have played a part in his 48.3% FG percentage at the rim last season (hoop-math.com) which is a very poor number for a guard who possesses such great length and size … Finishing at the rim in the NBA is only going to get harder … You’d also like Shake’s assist to TO ratio to be a little higher … While 2.3 TO’s per game isn’t a high number, he only created 4.5 shots per game, which leaves him with a sub 2.0 A/TO ratio … This asserts he’s more of a combo guard than an NBA one … In today’s position-less prone league this is less of an issue, but he certainly has more value as a big point guard, than he does as a shooting guard with some handle … From a shooting standpoint, Milton’s numbers are great, but he release is a little low, and in front of his face … This may give him issues getting shots off against larger, more athletic defenders … Ended his junior season by breaking a bone in his hand …

Overall:  Shake Milton is a big bodied combo guard with a massive wingspan and a nice jumper. He’s improved every season at SMU and showcased the ability to play two NBA positions. While he doesn’t have plus athleticism, he’s great in transition, and has shown the ability to work well in pick and roll situations. Shake is an intriguing option for a team looking to add depth at the guard spot in the second round, and at 21 he still has some upside as a player to develop.

Notes: Measured 6′ 4.5” barefoot, 6′ 5.5” in shoes, 207.2 lbs, 7′ 0.75” wingspan, 8′ 3.5” standing reach, 6.80% body fat, 8.75 inch hand length at the 2018 NBA Draft Combine … All-ACC Second Team (2017-18), All-AAC Second Team (2016-17),All-AAC Rookie Team (2015-16), Given name is "Malik" though goes by "Shake" … Measured 6’5 (in shoes) 189 lbs, with a 6’11.5 wingspan at the 2014 Nike Guard Skills Academy …

David Ray 6/19/18