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Prospect Spotlight -- Devin Vassell
Posted: Thu Apr 16, 2020 3:31 pm
by Jamaaliver
Travis hinted recently that we might not be drafting anymore teenagers at this point of the rebuild.
And our roster needs improvement in both defense and 3-pt shooting. The player from this draft best suited to address both of those concerns: D Vassell, sophomore SG out of Florida State.
He plays a position that we've addressed recently in the draft, but can you really have too many 3&D wings in this era of basketball? Is it worth it to spend another pick on a player who profiles as a top fitting role player instead of gambling on a potential star?
Sam Vecenie wrote:I just don’t think you can ever have enough wings in today’s NBA. And particularly, I can see Vassell's appeal, given his elite level as a shooter. You want to see a burning building? Here is a look at Vassell’s shot chart from this past year, per Synergy Sports. It is quite literally engulfed in flame.
Vassell averaged 12.7 points for a Florida State team that really spread it around, but he did so while shooting 49 percent from the field, 41.5 percent from 3, and 74 percent from the line. And as you can see from that chart, it’s filled with a ton of diversity, too. He can hit shots out of spot-ups or on the move. He can hit shots off of the catch, and even improved dramatically as a pull-up shooter this year.
I wouldn’t call him the world’s best passer or anything, but he posted a 2-to-1 assist-to-turnover ratio and generally makes the right decision. Really, the only thing I think there is to be concerned about is the fact that he’s not a particularly strong ballhandler. Most of his shots at the rim come off of cuts or in transition, and he isn’t quite strong enough on the ball yet to drive forward and collapse defenses to score or pass.
His on-ball defense is terrific, but where he really excels is using his plus-five wingspan to hassle teams in help defense either contesting shots, crashing from the weak side for a block, or getting into passing lanes. He was one of the best defensive players in the country on the wing this year, and that should translate.I’m at the point where I think there is a pretty real case for Vassell over Isaac Okoro in this class.
The Athletic
Re: Prospect Spotlight -- Devin Vassell
Posted: Thu Apr 16, 2020 4:24 pm
by Jamaaliver
Devin Vassell Scouting ReportDevin Vassell --Florida StatePosition: Wing
Height: 6’7”
Weight: 194 pounds
DOB: 8/23/20000
Per Game Stats:

Devin Vassell will be an impact defender from Day 1 who can pick pockets, block shots and guard multiple positions on the perimeter.
StrengthsWeaknessesConclusion
Forbes
Re: Prospect Spotlight -- Devin Vassell
Posted: Fri Apr 17, 2020 2:45 pm
by Jamaaliver
Devin VassellWing / Florida State
A long 6-foot-5 wing, Vassell fills the ever-coveted 3-and-D to an absolute T. He was one of the more proficient three-point shooters in college basketball last season. He could find plenty of spot-up opportunities next to Trae Young, a talented playmaker who demands attention from opposing defenses.
Vassell also has great promise as a defender. His 6-foot-10 wingspan offers a great deal of versatility, and his counting stats — in the steal and block categories — point to a knack for creating havoc. He can disrupt passing lanes, rotate crisply on the weak side, and generate turnovers at a high rate.
76ers Fansided
Re: Prospect Spotlight -- Devin Vassell
Posted: Fri Apr 17, 2020 2:56 pm
by kg01
Jamaaliver wrote:Devin VassellWing / Florida State
A long 6-foot-5 wing, Vassell fills the ever-coveted 3-and-D to an absolute T. He was one of the more proficient three-point shooters in college basketball last season. He could find plenty of spot-up opportunities next to Trae Young, a talented playmaker who demands attention from opposing defenses.
Vassell also has great promise as a defender. His 6-foot-10 wingspan offers a great deal of versatility, and his counting stats — in the steal and block categories — point to a knack for creating havoc. He can disrupt passing lanes, rotate crisply on the weak side, and generate turnovers at a high rate.
76ers Fansided
Just curious, do you think we should take another wang or are you just compiling scouting data on selected prospects?
If you're taking requests, I'd like to see some intel on points 'n posts. I think that's the direction we should be going in.
Re: Prospect Spotlight -- Devin Vassell
Posted: Sat Apr 18, 2020 5:02 am
by Jamaaliver
Sam Vecenie wrote:Devin Vassell | 6-5 wing | 20 years old, sophomore | Florida State
Few players helped themselves more this season than Vassell. The only thing that could slow his rise up draft boards, unfortunately, is the season ending so abruptly. He brings an awful lot to the table and his game looks like a pretty simplistic fit in the modern NBA. It would no longer be a shock to see him end up in the late lottery. I’d put his range somewhere from 12 to 25.
He’s a big wing with a ton of length who can hit well over 40 percent from 3 and has great length while defending at a solid clip. His numbers look a bit pedestrian, averaging 12.7 points and 5.1 rebounds per game, but Florida State’s offense really tended to spread things around. And the whole idea of Vassell is that he’s a tailor-made role player due to his elite-level shooting ability, as Vassell hit 41.5 percent of his 3s this season. And beyond that, he’s an absolutely terrific wing defender with strong lateral quickness. He’s also a playmaker on that end of the floor, averaging 1.4 steals and 1.0 blocks. The list of players to do what Vassell did over the last 30 years in a high-major league is seven names long and includes Shane Battier, Danny Green, Wes Johnson, Mikal Bridges, Demetris Nichols and Markelle Fultz. And if you include mid-majors, you see Paul George, Danny Granger and Robert Covington pop up. Basically, this is your patented 3-and-D player, and NBA teams continue to have a very real need for these guys.
I’m not quite as sold on the ancillary parts of his game. His ballhandling gives me some pause and he’s not the best athlete. He rarely gets all the way to the basket because of those two things, meaning most of his points come purely off of jumpers. It’s tough to make a living that way. Still, this is a 3-and-D wing starter kit that teams will likely be willing to work on with the rest of his game.
The Athletic
Re: Prospect Spotlight -- Devin Vassell
Posted: Mon Apr 20, 2020 12:11 am
by Jamaaliver
Devin Vassell, G/F, Florida StateHeight: 6’6” |
Weight: 180 |
Age: 19 | Sophomore

Vassell’s blend of size and length on the wing, tangible defensive impact and shooting ability create a pretty substantial floor, while the fact he’s a young sophomore with some room to grow offensively lends some credence to the upside. He was a big part of why Florida State was so good defensively, and evolved into a more consistent scoring threat in the back half of the season, albeit primarily in a catch-and-shoot capacity. He does have some limitations athletically that could limit his upside as a scorer, but simply being a consistent spot-up player can go a long way. In theory, he’s the type of player who can add value anywhere, even if he doesn’t turn into a starting-caliber option.
SI.com
Re: Prospect Spotlight -- Devin Vassell
Posted: Mon Apr 20, 2020 4:19 pm
by Jamaaliver
Re: Prospect Spotlight -- Devin Vassell
Posted: Sun Apr 26, 2020 8:48 pm
by Jamaaliver
Sam Vecenie wrote:Florida State’s Devin Vassell is the best defensive prospect...Vassell is my favorite of the [3 & D wing] group because I think he has the most two-way potential. I’d order them Vassell, then Nesmith, then Bey – all being in the same tier. But the teams I’ve spoken with are a bit more split on Nesmith and Vassell, and tend to put Bey in the tier slightly lower. Vassell hit over 41 percent from 3, developed a ton as a shooter on pull-ups and is also an elite, switchable defensive playmaker. He averaged 1.4 steals and a block per game, and uses his quickness and effort level to make a positive impact against tough matchups. He needs to improve as a ballhandler and playmaker, but he showed enough growth there this season to at least give me some hope. For him to be as good as he is on both ends at 19 years old is rare.
The Athletic
Re: Prospect Spotlight -- Devin Vassell
Posted: Sun Apr 26, 2020 11:44 pm
by Jamaaliver
Devin Vassell Scouting ReportIt requires no great level of prescience to see Devin Vassell with the potential to immediately contribute in the NBA next season: he is a consummate team defender with an outstanding work ethic, and possesses plug-and-play tools to produce in an at least one major offensive facet. He does not come without flaws entirely – certain physical qualities and current skill development-related questions come together in a way that pose very fair questions about his prospective shot creation abilities. But for a team looking for his particular mold in the 2020 draft, he is likely the top option. Expect Devin Vassell (boasting the
highest Gradient Score to date at 2.00) to be a surefire first round pick, with top 10 stock in the right situation.

The Stepien
Re: Prospect Spotlight -- Devin Vassell
Posted: Fri May 8, 2020 11:59 pm
by Jamaaliver
Best Case Comparisons For the Top 2020 NBA Draft Prospects
Devin Vassell | G | Florida State | Sophomore
Best case scenario comparison: Khris Middleton
...as a freshman, Vassell showed glimpses of a beautiful 3-point stroke and started getting crunch time minutes down the stretch. In 2019-20, he ascended to the next level. He increased his averages across the board—12.7 PPG, 5.1 RPG, 1.6 APG, 1.4 SPG, and 1.0 BPG while shooting an impressive 42 percent from downtown.
He’s a shooter, yes, but he can also do more than that. The 6’7” SG/SF from Georgia excels off the ball, grabs boards, and plays hard. He’s not a ball hog or prima donna—he simply makes winning plays, drains shots, and locks down on D. He does the thing that needs to be done and knows himself.
Sound familiar? Pair Vassell with a star...and watch him flourish.
Complex Sports
Re: Prospect Spotlight -- Devin Vassell
Posted: Sat May 9, 2020 12:46 am
by Jamaaliver
I do wonder if this kid could be the Klay Thompson clone we've been searching for.
Their collegiate efficiency numbers
compare really favorably.
2020 NBA Draft Big Board
11. Devin Vassell, SF, Florida State | Sophomore
Height: 6’7” | Weight: 195 | Age: 19 | Last Rank: 14
After displaying some real progress as a scorer over the course of the season, Vassell neatly fits a utilitarian archetype as a strong team defender who can knock down open shots and doesn’t need a ton of touches to be valuable. He has appealing size and length on the wing and a nose for blowing up plays and forcing turnovers. The chief knock here centers on upside, as Vassell isn’t an explosive leaper or prolific finisher at the rim, and is still learning how to play off the dribble. But as an above-average shooter and disruptive defensive presence, it’s easy to pencil him into lineups as a competent floor-spacer and ball-mover. The fact he’s still 19 leaves some extra room for long-term growth.
SI.comDevin Vassell (Florida State, SG, sophomore)
An athletic 6'6" wing, Vassell shot 41.5 percent from three and regularly made defensive plays that highlighted special instincts from on and off the ball. A limited off-the-dribble game is the big question mark, but Vassell has an easy-to-picture three-and-D profile, and he took a promising step forward as a pull-up shooter (38.5 percent).
Bleacher Report
Re: Prospect Spotlight -- Devin Vassell
Posted: Sat May 9, 2020 4:25 pm
by CP War Hawks
DV comp with Bridges is spot on. I wanna say he has a bit more upside due to age entering the draft. He also reminds me of Hunter in many ways. Wouldn't mind a trade down for DV and a future protected pick or something.
;t=25s
Re: Prospect Spotlight -- Devin Vassell
Posted: Sun May 10, 2020 1:54 am
by Jamaaliver
DEVIN VASSELLWing, Florida State, sophomoreOne of the best defenders in this year’s class, with a developing offensive game that could make him more than just a shooter.Shades Of: Khris Middleton, Robert Covington, Matisse Thybulle
Age------------------------19.6
Wingspan-----------------6'10"
Height---------------------6'7''
Weight--------------------194
PLUSES - Elite team defender who will immediately help any NBA rotation. He is hyper-alert on rotations, disrupts opponents’ actions with timely digs, and deters shooters from firing with fundamental closeouts.
- Never stops hustling. Even when a play seems over, he’ll fly out of nowhere for a chase-down block or last-second deflection.
- Impactful on-ball defender with the right blend of agility and length to defend guards and wings, though he must get stronger.
- Good spot-up shooter with a high release and displays awareness moving and cutting off the ball.
- Tightened his handle to become a potent shooter off the bounce; he hit a single dribble jumper as a freshman and then 39 as a sophomore, with many of them contested out of the pick-and-roll.
- Displays high-level passing vision for a wing, though he’s not a primary ball handler.
MINUSES - Lacks burst to beat defenders off the dribble and get to the rim—and even if he gets to the paint, he struggles to finish against contact.
- Wiry frame may limit his versatility against larger, stronger opponents.
- Not a dynamic shooter off the catch, though considering his dramatic improvement off the dribble he may develop that ability.
The Ringer
Re: Prospect Spotlight -- Devin Vassell
Posted: Tue May 12, 2020 2:38 am
by King Ken
Jamaaliver wrote:Sam Vecenie wrote:Devin Vassell | 6-5 wing | 20 years old, sophomore | Florida State
Few players helped themselves more this season than Vassell. The only thing that could slow his rise up draft boards, unfortunately, is the season ending so abruptly. He brings an awful lot to the table and his game looks like a pretty simplistic fit in the modern NBA. It would no longer be a shock to see him end up in the late lottery. I’d put his range somewhere from 12 to 25.
He’s a big wing with a ton of length who can hit well over 40 percent from 3 and has great length while defending at a solid clip. His numbers look a bit pedestrian, averaging 12.7 points and 5.1 rebounds per game, but Florida State’s offense really tended to spread things around. And the whole idea of Vassell is that he’s a tailor-made role player due to his elite-level shooting ability, as Vassell hit 41.5 percent of his 3s this season. And beyond that, he’s an absolutely terrific wing defender with strong lateral quickness. He’s also a playmaker on that end of the floor, averaging 1.4 steals and 1.0 blocks. The list of players to do what Vassell did over the last 30 years in a high-major league is seven names long and includes Shane Battier, Danny Green, Wes Johnson, Mikal Bridges, Demetris Nichols and Markelle Fultz. And if you include mid-majors, you see Paul George, Danny Granger and Robert Covington pop up. Basically, this is your patented 3-and-D player, and NBA teams continue to have a very real need for these guys.
I’m not quite as sold on the ancillary parts of his game. His ballhandling gives me some pause and he’s not the best athlete. He rarely gets all the way to the basket because of those two things, meaning most of his points come purely off of jumpers. It’s tough to make a living that way. Still, this is a 3-and-D wing starter kit that teams will likely be willing to work on with the rest of his game.
The Athletic
I have him as a late 1st/2nd round grade. He's a more polished Danny Green as a prospect. FSU did a great job preparing him for the next level unlike UNC did with Green. I can see him peaking at 205-210. I don't see 6'7, he looks every inch of 6'6 which puts him in the SG level considering his weight. I would be extremely high on him if he was 220-225 as a prospect for what he offers. He will take time to adjust to the NBA but I do like him being rotational as a rookie. Not overly big on limited SG's so that knocks him for me.
Re: Prospect Spotlight -- Devin Vassell
Posted: Tue May 12, 2020 2:48 am
by King Ken
CP War Hawks wrote:DV comp with Bridges is spot on. I wanna say he has a bit more upside due to age entering the draft. He also reminds me of Hunter in many ways. Wouldn't mind a trade down for DV and a future protected pick or something.
;t=25s
I scoff at the Bridges comparison. Mikal Bridges is a massively superior prospect. His skill and ability are night and day better than Vassell. Vassell isn't skilled which Bridges is. Vassell isn't athletic which Bridges is. Vassell doesn't have much size which Bridges has enough to play both wing spots effectively. I think you will be greatly disappointed if you think he's anything like Bridges.
Danny Green is his prototype. I know based on Green's success in Toronto, some will overly value him but I am a believer that you need to be skilled and athletic at that 2 spot. At the 3 spot, if you have size, you can get away with less athletic ability. Not so much at the 2.
I clearly don't see Klay. Klay is a tremendous scorer and movement player. When you think of elite movement guys, you think of John, Steph, Klay, IT0 when he had it going. Even as prospects in this draft, I think of Okoro, Toppin shows potential, Cole Anthony shows potential, Haliburton does as well. I don't see it with Vassell.
Re: Prospect Spotlight -- Devin Vassell
Posted: Wed May 13, 2020 12:47 am
by Jamaaliver
2020 NBA Draft Big Board5. Devin Vassell, G/F 6’7, Florida State, 19 years oldIt’s reductive to say that Vassell is the best three-and-D player in this draft, even if it’s true. The best team defender in this draft, Vassell was Florida State’s unquestioned leader and one of the best and most consistent players in the ACC. He’s a surprisingly adept pull-up shooter, particularly from the midrange, and uses his length exceptionally well to contest shots and grab offensive rebounds. He ranks higher than most other three-and-D prospects because of the potential he has to break out offensively in time, along with his overall general mastery of team defense. He’s way beyond everyone else this year in that regard.
DimeSam Vecenie wrote:I tend to really push wings up my draft board for similar reasons...it’s just so, so hard to find these types of players for cheap on the market. All things being equal in terms of talent, I’ll almost always default to selecting the wing.
I think Vassell’s the best bet to be a two-way wing out of this group. The most important thing I want from wings who aren’t necessarily elite-level shot-creators is the ability to knock down shots. And Vassell is an extremely high-level shooter. He hit 41.5 percent from 3 this past season after hitting 41.9 percent as a freshman. He also really developed into a guy who can knock down shots off the dribble last year. His feel for the game and shot IQ is really smart. He doesn’t play like a goofball out on the court, which is a real positive. He knows how to play within a team construct.
Then on defense, he’s an exceptional help and off-ball defender. He’s a great positional defender that does great work getting into passing lanes and rotating down and contesting near the hoop. Then as an on-ball defender, he’s really good laterally and also does an excellent job of timing his contests away from the basket. Overall, he’s just coming from such a place of strength on both sides of the floor toward what the NBA needs right now.
The Athletic
Re: Prospect Spotlight -- Devin Vassell
Posted: Thu May 14, 2020 3:29 pm
by CP War Hawks
This Youtuber considers DV the best overall defender in this class. For me, it highlights his elite defensive awareness. He has the ability to scan the offense set and make an educated guess on where the ball is going. It's just a matter of it translating mostly at the next level.
Re: Prospect Spotlight -- Devin Vassell
Posted: Thu May 14, 2020 3:57 pm
by kg01
CP War Hawks wrote:This Youtuber considers DV the best overall defender in this class. For me, it highlights his elite defensive awareness. He has the ability to scan the offense set and make an educated guess on where the ball is going. It's just a matter of it translating mostly at the next level.
I love everything I hear about this kid but does he fit here considering we have a lot of wangs to feed (minutes) already?
No one's spot should be secured but you can't just keep drafting wang after wang. Gotta ride with somebody.
Just asking, not ranting.

Re: Prospect Spotlight -- Devin Vassell
Posted: Thu May 14, 2020 5:08 pm
by CP War Hawks
kg01 wrote:CP War Hawks wrote:This Youtuber considers DV the best overall defender in this class. For me, it highlights his elite defensive awareness. He has the ability to scan the offense set and make an educated guess on where the ball is going. It's just a matter of it translating mostly at the next level.
I love everything I hear about this kid but does he fit here considering we have a lot of wangs to feed (minutes) already?
No one's spot should be secured but you can't just keep drafting wang after wang. Gotta ride with somebody.
Just asking, not ranting.

Couldn't even do the roster breakdown, that's on Schlenk. DV has a skillset that no other Hawks can duplicate sans Cam for the most part. The vid didn't touch on his shot blocking prowess which is good for his size.
The team needs a guy that can disrupt the opposing offense. He would be a clear upgrade from Bembry (still my guy). They've said DH may play some stretch small ball 4. I personally consider him a combo forward.
Re: Prospect Spotlight -- Devin Vassell
Posted: Fri May 15, 2020 5:18 pm
by Jamaaliver
2020 NBA Draft Big Board: Scouting Pros and Cons for Top 50 Players5. Devin Vassell (Florida, SF, Sophomore)
ProsDevin Vassell has built a convincing three-and-D draft profile, but it's the flashes of scoring improvement that hint at another level of offensive upside for an NBA team to unlock.
A high floor is propped up by his 6'6" size, athleticism, 41.5 percent three-point shooting and tremendous defensive instincts. He's a fit for practically every team with his ability to catch and shoot, defend multiple positions and be a strong team-defense link.
He also hit 31 pull-ups this year, and our eye test buys his effectiveness at separating and releasing high over his man.
ConsVassell isn't the most creative ball-handler, so offense won't be run through him. He only recorded three isolation baskets all season and averaged just 1.6 assists.
Though an accurate shooter off the catch, he converted two successful drives to the basket out of spot-up position.
Vassell only hit the 20-point mark twice as a sophomore, so it's reasonable to question how much scoring upside is really there.
Bleacher Report