DeAnthony Melton comp seems pretty spot on. Could emerge like I Quickley or Ty Maxey.
But would that happen in Atlanta with 2 All Stars ahead of him?
The RingerCason Wallace | Kentucky | Freshman
6'3" | 195 lb | Wingspan: 6'8" | 19 years old
11.7 ppg -- 4.3 apg -- 34.6 3PT%
SHADES OF: Jrue Holiday, De'Anthony Melton
PLUSES
- Defends much bigger than his height would suggest. Much like Jrue Holiday, he hounds opponents with his length, toughness, and fundamentals. On the ball, he stays seated in a low stance with arms wide, ready to poke at the ball or position himself to disrupt the path of opponents. With great strength, he’s able to withstand contact from stronger scorers, using his footwork to beat big wings to spots and then absorb contact without moving.
- Instinctual off-ball defender who can make highlight-reel chasedown blocks and interceptions in passing lanes. He’ll win over fans with his hustle plays, whether it’s a dive for a loose ball or a charge taken.
- Knockdown spot-up shooter with a quick release. Even if the pass is off target, he fluidly gets into his shot. Though Kentucky rarely used him off of movement actions like screens and handoffs, he’s shown a knack for getting open off of movement. In high school, he was provided chances off of screens and flourished.
- Soft touch from all over the floor. He’s comfortable using floaters and runners. At the rim, he can use either hand. He’s also a good free throw shooter.
- Turnover-averse shot creator. He takes good care of the ball and resists unnecessary risks. In the pick-and-roll, he’s best at hitting the roller. But he’s more of a straight-line driver at this stage, rather than someone who breaks down defenders in isolations. He’s best suited for a ball-sharing offense since he’s more of a combo guard.
MINUSES
- Unproven shooter off the dribble, especially from behind the arc. He’s more comfortable from midrange, especially going to his right. But he hasn’t shown the ability to use crossovers to generate space for jumpers. In part, it’s because he lacks an elite first step to get by defenders as he begins his attack.
- Considering his lack of burst off the dribble and his lack of an elite handle, he may not have the go-to scoring upside that some teams desire in a top pick. Fit will matter for him, because he needs to be paired with a primary guard that he can thrive off of. But as guards like Tyrese Haliburton have shown, those shotmaking skills can develop over time.
- Limited by a persistent back injury throughout his freshman season.
