Highest BBIQ, Best Energy, and Feel For the Game Prospects in '24 Draft

[G R E Y]

Inspired by the 'strongest most explosive prospects' thread and wanting to expedite the sifting process via others' knowledge of players, I want to know about the best overlap of BBIQ, hustle, and feel for the game among those entering this upcoming draft.

Some may have *it* in any one of these categories, and that's good to know, too. But I'm most interested in who makes the most of his BBIQ/hustle/feel.

They may not have the highest ceiling or be considered the best prospects, but in such a crapshoot draft, I'd rather bank on a player that has the highest overlap of these qualities than variance of floors and ceilings.

Thanks.

[babyjax13]

Best feel: I think Kyshawn George is pretty high feel for how young and physically underdeveloped he was. It was entirely on "feel" that he was able to see minutes and eventually take a place in the rotation.

Highest BBIQ: IMO, pretty easily this is Topic. The way he manipulates defenses with his passing/fakes reminds me a bit of Haliburton. It's not that he is an excellent passer, it's that he manipulates the defense so that his passes go to players in positions where they will be successful.

Boring runner up, but for Reed Sheppard to do what he did I think it takes some pretty high BBIQ + processing. He doesn't have elite physical traits and was still incredibly disruptive defensively.

Best energy: highest motor might be Ron Holland, but it's pretty chaotic. Devin Carter and Ryan Dunn also feel like great mentions here.

Best combination of all of it? I'm not sure, I feel like this is a draft where you might have to pick between the three. I'll say McCain because he rebounds the heck out of the ball for his size and is really active off-ball as a shooter, but I am not super confident this is the answer, especially given his other defensive shortcomings. Reed Sheppard might be the other guy here? I also love Reed for the Spurs, especially if there is some untapped playmaking there.

[2weekswithpay]

There are 5 prospects I believe are pluses in all 3 categories. Reed Sheppard, Donovan Clingan, Tristan Da Silva, Stephon Castle, and Tyler Kolek.

Reed Sheppard: He simply has a knack for knowing where to be on the defense. Sheppard forced a large amount of TOs with his off-ball defense and while he can get caught ball-watching at times, you don't force as many TOs as Reed did without being a step ahead of the defense. On offense, Sheppard is a good passer, finds guys in transition, cutting to the basket, and on drive and kicks. Most criticism he gets is about his size, athleticism, and role. He knows how to play basketball.

Spoiler:

Donovan Clingan: I might be the only one who thinks Clingan deserves a mention. He's been compared to Walker Kessler but that comparison overlooks that Clingan can pass and Kessler couldn't. Clingan has a positive assist-to-turnover ratio with 52 assists to 28 TOs this season. Kessler had 39 assists total at UNC and Auburn. Passing is becoming an important skill for bigs now, and bigs that can make passes in the short roll or on DHOs give offenses more flexibility and another way to attack. He's not Jokic or anything but he's a bit more than a guy who only knows how to set screens and dunk. Also, his defense is just as impactful as the bigs in the previous draft. He knows where to be on defense and is capable of making the right play on offense. Runs well in transition which stresses defenses because of his size and he knows this which is important.

Spoiler:

Read on Twitter

Tristan Da Silva: Very popular and a riser on draft boards lately. A good all-around player. He can shoot, knows how to move off-ball, can pass, good team defender. Not many red flags with him. One of the safest prospects in the draft because of his all-around skillset and ability to play next to others.

Spoiler:

Stephon Castle: Fierce competitor on both ends and while his shot is broken right now, he creates high-value scoring opportunities for himself and his teammates by attacking in transition, cutting without the ball, and using his size to create openings near the rim.

Spoiler:

Tyler Kolek: The best half-court playmaker out of all the NCAA prospects. Had the 2nd highest AST% of all high major players. Better at getting downhill than you'd think from looking at him. Good PNR passer who knows how to use angles and positioning to create scoring opportunities. Solid at finishing around the basket when going left. Good shooter for the 2nd consecutive season. Not the greatest defender but he competes and generally knows where to be on that end IMO.

Spoiler:

I think these players meet the criteria on both ends of the floor. I avoided one way prospects since they only have good feel on one end or don't hustle. Topic would've been included if he had better defensive effort. Jared McCain could be added.

[greg4012]

I've been diving into DaRon Holmes as a prospect lately. Maybe it's just recency bias, but I feel he fills up each of these 3 buckets

[Catchall]

Matas Buzelis has high-level feel, ball skills and processing for a 6'9" wing. He still needs to prove his shooting, but he has some Gordon Hayward-like versatility as a connector. He also plays hard consistently and makes the most of his length on defense.

[G R E Y]

Matas Buzelis has high-level feel, ball skills and processing for a 6'9" wing. He still needs to prove his shooting, but he has some Gordon Hayward-like versatility as a connector. He also plays hard consistently and makes the most of his length on defense.

See now this name surprises me.

I thought he was more of a stiff feel wise.

And not the highest motor... but I asked because of others' insights to help me focus on a handful of prospects instead of casting a wider net.

Also surprised no one has said Risacher yet. It's what he's supposed to be known for, apparently.

[penggemar]

BBIQ, Risacher will be no slouch. He's got a basketball gene from his father.

[JustBuzzin]

Best feel: I think Kyshawn George is pretty high feel for how young and physically underdeveloped he was. It was entirely on "feel" that he was able to see minutes and eventually take a place in the rotation.

Kyshawn George is really growing on me. To the point that I would trade back to nab him mid round.


I feel like he would be a great secondary playmaker to LaMelo. Put Miller at the 3 and watch them grow together.

Where do you have George ranked on your big board?

[2weekswithpay]

Matas Buzelis has high-level feel, ball skills and processing for a 6'9" wing. He still needs to prove his shooting, but he has some Gordon Hayward-like versatility as a connector. He also plays hard consistently and makes the most of his length on defense.

See now this name surprises me.

I thought he was more of a stiff feel wise.

And not the highest motor... but I asked because of others' insights to help me focus on a handful of prospects instead of casting a wider net.

Also surprised no one has said Risacher yet. It's what he's supposed to be known for, apparently.

Risacher is in a slump, he's been pretty bad since February. I don't know if I'd say Risacher has great feel. Players with great feel tend to make plays on at least one end of the floor. Risacher can float around a lot and you sometimes forget he's playing.

[G R E Y]

Matas Buzelis has high-level feel, ball skills and processing for a 6'9" wing. He still needs to prove his shooting, but he has some Gordon Hayward-like versatility as a connector. He also plays hard consistently and makes the most of his length on defense.

See now this name surprises me.

I thought he was more of a stiff feel wise.

And not the highest motor... but I asked because of others' insights to help me focus on a handful of prospects instead of casting a wider net.

Also surprised no one has said Risacher yet. It's what he's supposed to be known for, apparently.

Risacher is in a slump, he's been pretty bad since February. I don't know if I'd say Risacher has great feel. Players with great feel tend to make plays on at least one end of the floor. Risacher can float around a lot and you sometimes forget he's playing.

That's the opposite of hustle and effort. But I've heard BBIQ attributed to him. And I guess I can account for the inconsistent effort to youth - but only somewhat. We've scouted him plenty, so a slump won't necessarily affect the impression. Disappearing in games might...

[babyjax13]

Best feel: I think Kyshawn George is pretty high feel for how young and physically underdeveloped he was. It was entirely on "feel" that he was able to see minutes and eventually take a place in the rotation.

Kyshawn George is really growing on me. To the point that I would trade back to nab him mid round.


I feel like he would be a great secondary playmaker to LaMelo. Put Miller at the 3 and watch them grow together.

Where do you have George ranked on your big board?

I have him first but I fully admit that may be crazy. I have he, Topic, and Williams really close on my board followed by Holland.

[JustBuzzin]

Best feel: I think Kyshawn George is pretty high feel for how young and physically underdeveloped he was. It was entirely on "feel" that he was able to see minutes and eventually take a place in the rotation.

Kyshawn George is really growing on me. To the point that I would trade back to nab him mid round.


I feel like he would be a great secondary playmaker to LaMelo. Put Miller at the 3 and watch them grow together.

Where do you have George ranked on your big board?

I have him first but I fully admit that may be crazy. I have he, Topic, and Williams really close on my board followed by Holland.

Yeah it does seem crazy, but given his skillset I can see him having the highest potential. A 6'8 wing with guard skills and can also shoot the 3 is the modern day prototype for a wing. My only concern about George is his lack of explosiveness. Then again that might just be the way he plays under the rim and under control.

[clyde21]

good call outs in this thread already but I'll throw in Oso's name for highest BBIQ

[2weekswithpay]

See now this name surprises me.

I thought he was more of a stiff feel wise.

And not the highest motor... but I asked because of others' insights to help me focus on a handful of prospects instead of casting a wider net.

Also surprised no one has said Risacher yet. It's what he's supposed to be known for, apparently.

Risacher is in a slump, he's been pretty bad since February. I don't know if I'd say Risacher has great feel. Players with great feel tend to make plays on at least one end of the floor. Risacher can float around a lot and you sometimes forget he's playing.

That's the opposite of hustle and effort. But I've heard BBIQ attributed to him. And I guess I can account for the inconsistent effort to youth - but only somewhat. We've scouted him plenty, so a slump won't necessarily affect the impression. Disappearing in games might...

What would you call a player who doesn't make many mistakes but also doesn't make plays a step ahead of the defense/offense?

[G R E Y]

Risacher is in a slump, he's been pretty bad since February. I don't know if I'd say Risacher has great feel. Players with great feel tend to make plays on at least one end of the floor. Risacher can float around a lot and you sometimes forget he's playing.

That's the opposite of hustle and effort. But I've heard BBIQ attributed to him. And I guess I can account for the inconsistent effort to youth - but only somewhat. We've scouted him plenty, so a slump won't necessarily affect the impression. Disappearing in games might...

What would you call a player who doesn't make many mistakes but also doesn't make plays a step ahead of the defense/offense?

Smart but perhaps cautious due to inexperience? Some players would rather err on the side of TOs but effort, other take a more cerebral approach, even if it may come across as more cautious...

[2weekswithpay]

That's the opposite of hustle and effort. But I've heard BBIQ attributed to him. And I guess I can account for the inconsistent effort to youth - but only somewhat. We've scouted him plenty, so a slump won't necessarily affect the impression. Disappearing in games might...

What would you call a player who doesn't make many mistakes but also doesn't make plays a step ahead of the defense/offense?

Smart but perhaps cautious due to inexperience? Some players would rather err on the side of TOs but effort, other take a more cerebral approach, even if it may come across as more cautious...

I think there's a risk reward aspect to basketball. Not turning the ball over isn't that great or appealing if you're passing up quality scoring opportunities because you're afraid of a TO. Risacher isn't out there making mistakes but nothing about him shows that he processes the game better than his peers IMO.

[G R E Y]

What would you call a player who doesn't make many mistakes but also doesn't make plays a step ahead of the defense/offense?

Smart but perhaps cautious due to inexperience? Some players would rather err on the side of TOs but effort, other take a more cerebral approach, even if it may come across as more cautious...

I think there's a risk reward aspect to basketball. Not turning the ball over isn't that great or appealing if you're passing up quality scoring opportunities because you're afraid of a TO. Risacher isn't out there making mistakes but nothing about him shows that he processes the game better than his peers IMO.

Oh I see. Do you think that's an essential aspect of his inner composition - as in, there can only so far that essential aspect of a player can be stretched - or do you think it's an aspect of his youth? Isn't he one of the youngest players in the draft?

[2weekswithpay]

Smart but perhaps cautious due to inexperience? Some players would rather err on the side of TOs but effort, other take a more cerebral approach, even if it may come across as more cautious...

I think there's a risk reward aspect to basketball. Not turning the ball over isn't that great or appealing if you're passing up quality scoring opportunities because you're afraid of a TO. Risacher isn't out there making mistakes but nothing about him shows that he processes the game better than his peers IMO.

Oh I see. Do you think that's an essential aspect of his inner composition - as in, there can only so far that essential aspect of a player can be stretched - or do you think it's an aspect of his youth? Isn't he one of the youngest players in the draft?

I lean towards youth, there's also the skill aspect of it. Risacher has clear limitations athletically and as a ballhandler which certainly impacts decision making.

[G R E Y]

I think there's a risk reward aspect to basketball. Not turning the ball over isn't that great or appealing if you're passing up quality scoring opportunities because you're afraid of a TO. Risacher isn't out there making mistakes but nothing about him shows that he processes the game better than his peers IMO.

Oh I see. Do you think that's an essential aspect of his inner composition - as in, there can only so far that essential aspect of a player can be stretched - or do you think it's an aspect of his youth? Isn't he one of the youngest players in the draft?

I lean towards youth, there's also the skill aspect of it. Risacher has clear limitations athletically and as a ballhandler which certainly impacts decision making.

But these are improvable areas, right? (more so handles. I don't know how a guy becomes more athletic). I'd have to look into his trajectory and level of competition in his career so far...

[Yallbecrazy]

Collin Murray-Boyles if he declares is probably #1 in this cross section of items. He's a do it all prospect that excels at passing, cutting, defense, rebounding, gets to the line a lot and finishes extremely well at the rim. Can’t shoot, but is very young and form doesn't look broken.