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I am not sure if he is really going to be an OAD but as someone who primarily cares about who the Memphis Grizzlies can draft. I think he could be a late 1st round pick if he does come out as a freshman. So, he is one of the guys I like right now.

Meh there really isnt much to like about hm when it comes to him being an NBA prospect at the moment. His handle is really really bad and his jumper is a slow push shot. He may need a year or two to clean up some stuff before he shows hes worth a 1st round pick.

Duke4life831 wrote:Meh there really isnt much to like about hm when it comes to him being an NBA prospect at the moment. His handle is really really bad and his jumper is a slow push shot. He may need a year or two to clean up some stuff before he shows hes worth a 1st round pick.

I mean that's your opinion, but I think that's a little harsh.

Dude was a mcdonald's all-american, often times looked like the best player on a HS team that was at one point ranked #1 in the country and has stepped right in as a freshman at Duke, been a starter all year and consistently been a guy who makes plays and has been a guy Scheyer wants to haver on the floor in his first year as coach.

He's been at least average on defense. Some hiccups here and there but the physical/athletic tools so you know the potential is there to make strides and be a plus defender - especially with his effort (most of the time).

On offense he's been a decent catch and shoot guy. That gives him additional value. But his real bread and butter, where he was very strong in HS and also very strong (from what I've seen) at Duke is his ability to attack closeouts, put the ball on the floor, and seemingly get to the rim off the dribble at will. And he's been a good finisher near the rim, too.

A guy with that size, athleticism, versatility (can play the 3 or the 4, can play inside or outside), really good at getting to the rim, pretty good catch and shoot guy. All of that as a freshman at Duke, after being a top HS player in the country on a top HS team in the country.

I think he has a pretty good shot at being a 1st rounder. Even if it's late 1st round, I can see a team rolling the dice on him.

i've cooled on him considerably but he's a combo big that's shooting 43% from three and is hitting almost 80% of his FTs and is relatively athletic and strong. problem is i'm not sure if he actually has any combo big skill traits at this point.

defensively, he's meh, lags on switches, not a great rebounder, haven't seen much in the screen/pick setting departments, needs work on positioning/boxing out, not necessarily a great cutter or slasher, general BBIQ seems questionable to me as well.

i think he should be eval'd as a small ball big that can stretch out a little, and bring some full court pressure and energy, but still needs a lot of things to develop for him to actually be a functional combo/small big in the NBA and a consistent part of a rotation.

the physical profile and shooting is there and there is a path for him to being a + defender, but a lot of the ancillary stuff needs to get better.

Hal14 wrote:

Duke4life831 wrote:Meh there really isnt much to like about hm when it comes to him being an NBA prospect at the moment. His handle is really really bad and his jumper is a slow push shot. He may need a year or two to clean up some stuff before he shows hes worth a 1st round pick.

I mean that's your opinion, but I think that's a little harsh.

Dude was a mcdonald's all-american, often times looked like the best player on a HS team that was at one point ranked #1 in the country and has stepped right in as a freshman at Duke, been a starter all year and consistently been a guy who makes plays and has been a guy Scheyer wants to haver on the floor in his first year as coach.

He's been at least average on defense. Some hiccups here and there but the physical/athletic tools so you know the potential is there to make strides and be a plus defender - especially with his effort (most of the time).

On offense he's been a decent catch and shoot guy. That gives him additional value. But his real bread and butter, where he was very strong in HS and also very strong (from what I've seen) at Duke is his ability to attack closeouts, put the ball on the floor, and seemingly get to the rim off the dribble at will. And he's been a good finisher near the rim, too.

A guy with that size, athleticism, versatility (can play the 3 or the 4, can play inside or outside), really good at getting to the rim, pretty good catch and shoot guy. All of that as a freshman at Duke, after being a top HS player in the country on a top HS team in the country.

I think he has a pretty good shot at being a 1st rounder. Even if it's late 1st round, I can see a team rolling the dice on him.

Im not saying he is a trash player, but there is a difference between being able to contribute at the college level and being a 1st round NBA draft prospect.

Yes he is a good (not great) defensive player, but again what else does he do at a NBA level? He's not a freak athlete or freakishly long, so he's not going to get a boost there. He's not good at attacking and getting to the rim, he is very bad at it. Watch him against Purdue, watch him against Ohio State, watch him against Kansas. Any time he goes against a wing with decent size and agility, he cant get anywhere on the court. His handle is really bad.

And again his shot is a slow, low, push shot. He doesnt have anywhere close to a big enough sample size against legit competition to say he is a legit catch and shoot threat. I just dont think its all that crazy to say the guy needs to show some improvement in the next year or so to be considered a legit 1st round pick when he has scored less than 5 points 4 times in 12 games and again when you watch the game you see his handle is bad against legit competition and with his shot, he needs to be in a wide open catch and shoot scenario for it to be effective. And again he doesnt have the freakish athleticism or length to bump him up that way.

Again solid college contributor, but still has some ironing out for his overall skillset until he becomes a legit 1st round guy. Dont think that is all that big of a dig. And this is coming from a guy that would love to prop him up and see another stud Duke wing player in the NBA.