BoyzNTheHood wrote:Clutch0z24 wrote:super_balls wrote:
Interesting.. however, how is he any different from Edmund Sumner? - who is also a hyper athletic, long, high defensive potential guard.
Hes not really ranked much of anywhere ...if we really wanted him could prolly get him in the 2nd round...Much better prospects at 24,25thish
He should be ranked in the first round. A lock down defender with elite rebounding and above average vision isn't even a 2nd round pick? His only knock is really his ball-handling which can improve over time as we've seen with DeMar.
Per40 he matches up very well with Rajon Rondo when he was a freshman at UK. Rondo was a better passer, but Melton has a better jump shot (something that plagued Rondo in his career).
He also blocks shots which Rondo never did. I'd be thrilled if we grabbed him as a 2nd rounder or just signed him as a free agent like we did with Van Fleet. I think there's a saturation of point guards available(again Van Fleet is an example) which is why this kid is flying under the radar. There are so many players available at the position that teams aren't even interested in drafting them unless they're top 10 draft talents.
What's interesting in this case is he's raw, but already very effective on the defensive end. Those highlights of him skying for rebounds are very unusual for a point guard. Not only does he have the length and athleticism to go up and get them, but his motor looks excellent. If his work ethic for practice is anywhere near his apparent intensity to compete then he's a steal. Could be a starter, or even a star when he matures which is ludicrous for a guy who could be had with our late 2nd round pick!
As for the ball handling, you mention DeMar, but there is an example of a point guard who had very questionable handles coming into the league who turned out alright: Steph curry. His own college coach recently stated that he was very mediocre as a ball handler when he arrived as a freshman, but he improved every year in college and in the pros. Today Curry is a very crafty ball-handler and can break down just about any defender. I'm pretty sure an 18 year old with a good work ethic can develop acceptable handles.
For a year where we only have picks in the tail end of the draft, I'm pretty excited!
