NBA Comparison: Admiral Schofield

Strengths: Explosive athlete that elevates very quickly … A strong, physical defender that is unafraid to use his physicality to his advantage in the post … Is able to carve out space when boxing out … Excellent shot blocking timing and challenges everything at the rim. Is able to anticipate shots and block them at their highest point when needed … Has a good motor and doesn’t give up on plays – recovers well after getting out of position. Can hit jump shots when given time and space to spot up … Decent head fake inside to get defenders jumping, allowing him to then elevate over them for scoring opportunities … Has a good understanding of spacing in the modern game, finds open areas and helps create driving lanes for teammates …

Weaknesses: Essentially a 6-6 enter, similar to Chuck Hayes … Classic tweener: lacks the perimeter skills to play on the wing, but also  lacks the size to play in the post in many matchups. Not a reliable jump shooter – shot 31.8% from 3 for his career, but only 27.4% as a senior). Despite improved senior year numbers (78.9%) shot below 64% from the free throw line in three of his four seasons … Doesn’t facilitate for others well enough to enhance the offense and get open looks for teammates … Lacks consistency: can completely disappear in all facets of the game for entire games at a time … Performance is often dictated by matchups and opponents’ play style. Can find himself vulnerable when switching against quicker guards in pick and roll situations … Often sets lazy screens within the offense ..

Outlook: Pons is a very good college player, but his pro potential may better suit him to playing overseas. At 6’6”, 215 lbs, he’s an undersized shot blocker that isn’t a lockdown perimeter defender. If he makes it at the NBA level, it will be as a hustle guy who locks people down defensively while protecting the rim, but he’ll have to work on his lateral quickness and further refine his shot to be able to consistently knock down the NBA three to provide spacing …

Notes: Measured 6’5.5” barefoot, 6’6.75” in shoes 8’8.0” standing reach, 206.4 lbs, and 7’0.75” wingspan at the 2021 NBA Draft Combine … Born in Haiti, though played for France nationally during the 2014 U16 European Championships …

Eric Yearian 5/15/21