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Prospect Spotlight -- Devin Vassell

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Thoughts on drafting a player like Devin Vassell?

Nah, we already have Huerter and Reddish on the wings
1
25%
Maybe, if we trade/fall out of the top-5 of the draft
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25%
Absolutely, he's a Klay Thompson clone and fits perfectly
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50%
 
Total votes: 4

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Re: Prospect Spotlight -- Devin Vassell 

Post#41 » by Jamaaliver » Tue Aug 18, 2020 11:55 pm

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Re: Prospect Spotlight -- Devin Vassell 

Post#42 » by Jamaaliver » Sat Aug 22, 2020 8:15 am

Suns 2020 Draft Spotlight: Devin Vassell



Position: SG/SF, Wing.
Height: 6’7”, 6’10” Wingspan.
Age: 19 years old (20 on draft day).
School: Florida State.
Role: Versatile, high-IQ 3&D wing.

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Shooting
Outside of the defense, his shooting will be his most bankable skill. In 2 years at Florida State he shot a pristine 70-for-168 (41.7%) from 3 point range.
Additional shooting stats from his sophomore season (via Barttorvik):
Dunks: 26-28 (92.8%)
Close 2’s: 51-73 (69.9%)
Long 2’s: 49-115 (42.6%)
Free Throws: 48-65 (73.8%)
3 Pointers: 44-106 (41.5%)

The only area of concern here is the free throw percentage, because he’s a plus in every other phase of shooting. His free throw rate also must improve as it sits at just 22.8%, and part of that is his inability to beat defenders off the dribble and attack the rim in the half-court.


Defense
Vassell is the best team defender in this class, as he sees the floor at a savant-like level and uses his length and anticipation to disrupt the flow of the game constantly. The combination of his anticipation on cross court passes, knowing when to dig and stunt, and placing himself in perfect help position makes him a valuable commodity on that end.
Here you see how active he is in not only being in the right spot, but by communicating and directing his teammates in the process. It’s almost like having a sixth defender on the court with how well he covers ground and communicates. Like I said, elite team-defender. It’s no secret at this point.

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Self-Creation
Vassell lacks a quick first step and isn’t the most explosive athlete, but he has some sneaky bounce and has given me reason to believe there’s some untapped creation potential if he can improve his handle. His height/length also gives me optimism for shooting over the top of smaller defenders even if he can’t get past them.

Part of the reason I believe there could be more on the way with him is his off-the-dribble shooting leap he took in his sophomore season at Florida State. His freshman year he was very limited offensively and strictly a catch and shoot guy. As a freshman, he shot just 2-for-19 (10.5%) on long 2’s. As a sophomore, he added the pull-up jumper to his arsenal and bumped it up dramatically to 49-for-115 (42.6%) shooting on long 2’s.

Granted not all of those long 2’s were off the dribble, but going from just one pull-up to jumper his entire freshman year to 39 as a sophomore is quite the improvement. To me, that emphatic growth shouldn’t be ignored and could be a sign for more to come in his offensive bag.
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Re: Prospect Spotlight -- Devin Vassell 

Post#43 » by Jamaaliver » Sat Aug 22, 2020 8:15 am

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Re: Prospect Spotlight -- Devin Vassell 

Post#44 » by Jamaaliver » Sun Aug 23, 2020 12:38 am

Devin Vassell
Team: Florida State
Current Age: 19.99
Measurables: 6-foot-7, 195 pounds, 6-foot-10 wingspan
Stats (Per 36): 15.9 points, 6.3 rebounds, 2.0 assists, 1.8 steals, 1.2 blocks, 1.0 turnovers, +6.23 PIPM
Shooting: 49.0% FG, 41.5% 3PT, 73.8% FT, 58.5% TS, 56.5% EFG


Strengths
Devin Vassell is a strong candidate to be the best two-way player from the 2020 NBA Draft Class. At 6-foot-7 with a 6-foot-10 wingspan, he has good size for a wing and uses it to his advantage on both ends of the floor. On offense, he has a smooth jumper with a very high release point that allows him to deploy a mean pull-up over smaller defenders and create his own shot at all three levels. Devin shot 41.5 percent from downtown on 3.5 attempts, a relatively significant sample size for an ancillary offensive college wing.

Per Synergy Sports, he ranked in the 80th and 87th percentiles in spot up and catch-and-shoot situations, respectively, which will translate very well to a spaced out NBA. Vassell is also an excellent transition player who understands spacing very well and knows when to crash to the basket versus fly out to the corners and wings for open 3s. He shot a mind-boggling 70.8 percent in transition looks, putting him in the 94th percentile across all of college basketball.

On the defensive end, Devin Vassell was everywhere at Florida State. He has immense range off-ball to go along with impeccable timing and a high defensive basketball IQ. Vassell’s positioning when the ball is on the weak side is NBA-ready, as is his rotational shot blocking, which is a big need when KAT gets dragged away from the basket. While playing off-ball in the PnR, Vassell digs quite well and uses his hands very well to cause deflections, steals, and passes to the perimeter.

Devin is no slouch while locking in on the ball, too. He can flip his hips quickly, which enables him to turn ball handlers and defend guards without needing a switch or help defense on a consistent basis. When guards get by him, he has excellent recovery instincts and frequently was able to get his shoulders square to the basket in order to contest and block shots going straight up without fouling.

Weaknesses
Vassell’s rather mediocre handle holds him back from being a truly elite prospect. Given his size, high release point, and proven jump shot off of basic dribble moves, an excellent handle could transform the Florida State product from very solid two-way prospect to potential two-way high-end starter or star. Granted Vassell’s offense has never been the strongest aspect of his game, but time with NBA development staff and living in the gym will do so much good for Devin and his long-term viability in a modern NBA offense.

In order to more fully maximize his size and length on offense, I would love to see DV become a more active cutter in the half-court. He could be dangerous in split cut actions and on the back side when the defense does not lock in on him as a shooter. Given his somewhat limited athleticism, cutting would be a much easier way for him to consistently put pressure on the rim and make life easier for his teammates. He was primarily used as a spot-up guy on offense when he did not have the ball in his hands and he will have to put in serious work in what does without the ball if he wants to be an impactful offensive player in the NBA.

What If...
Vassell’s handle improves to the point where he can kill smaller guards in the mid-range? We all know that the mid-range will never be the focus of either NBA offenses or defenses, but NBA defenses playing more and more drop coverage has opened up increased opportunities for wings to operate in the mid-range. Devin Booker and Kawhi Leonard put on nightly clinics in mid-range, largely because of their supreme body control, tight handles, excellent footwork, and high release points. Vassell has 2.5 of those four boxes checked.

He has great body control, pretty good footwork, and a solid high release point. With growing space for players to go to work in the mid-range, it could be a tremendous avenue for Devin to gain confidence as a scorer and shot creator on the offensive end.
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DEVIN VASSELL / WING / FLORIDA STATE
Arguably the 2020 NBA Draft’s most finished prospect, Devin Vassell could step in right away for a long career as a high-level 3-and-D wing. A 40% shooter from deep, Vassell excels when it comes to taking catch-and-shoot threes. He’s not strictly a shooter though, Vassell knows when to cut backdoor and how to move without the ball. Defensively, he can guard positions 1-4 with ease and use his length to force opponents into bad shots. His next step to reach his ceiling would be becoming a shot creator.
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Re: Prospect Spotlight -- Devin Vassell 

Post#45 » by Jamaaliver » Fri Sep 11, 2020 8:01 pm

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Re: Prospect Spotlight -- Devin Vassell 

Post#46 » by Jamaaliver » Fri Sep 11, 2020 8:27 pm

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Re: Prospect Spotlight -- Devin Vassell 

Post#47 » by Jamaaliver » Wed Sep 16, 2020 2:13 pm

2020 NBA Draft Big Board: Latest Top 80 Rankings

10. Devin Vassell, SF, Florida State | Sophomore

Height: 6' 7" | Weight: 195 | Age: 20 | Previous Rank: 11

Vassell should be able to help his next team in relatively quick fashion, as a quality defender and three-point shooter who doesn’t need heavy touches to be effective. Wings in his mold are in high demand, and although his upside might be limited by his lack of explosiveness and struggles to create shots for himself, Vassell brings enough to the table already that it’s relatively easy to pencil him in as a valuable longtime role player at worst. He has a knack for blowing up plays and taking away passing lanes and will be able to keep defenses honest and space the floor with the threat of his jumper. He only turned 20 in August, which leaves some extra room for development. Vassell won’t be the biggest upside play in the back half of the lottery but makes sense on any roster as a useful rotation piece and potential long-term starter.
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Re: Prospect Spotlight -- Devin Vassell 

Post#48 » by Jamaaliver » Fri Sep 18, 2020 12:34 am

2020 NBA Draft Profiles: Devin Vassell

Who is Devin Vassell?
Devin Vassell is a 6’7″, 200 lb shooting guard/small forward with a nearly 7-foot wingspan. Vassell spent two years at Florida State, where his points per game increased from 4.5 to 12.7 between his freshman and sophomore season. After starting no games as a freshman, Vassell started 29 games as a sophomore. In almost 29 minutes per game, he averaged 5.6 rebounds, 1.6 assists, 1.4 steals, and 1.0 blocks per game to go along with his 13 points.

Strengths
During his time at Florida State, Devin Vassell proved that he’s a capable three-point shooter. He shot 41 percent from three for two straight years, even as his volume increased. Vassell attempted 3.5 three-point attempts per game as a sophomore, up from just 1.9 as a freshman.

His mid-range game showed a lot of improvement last year, as well, as he was able to create more scoring opportunities for himself. But offense isn’t even the best part of his game.

Vassell is an ideal fit for almost any NBA franchise because his defense can be suffocating when he’s engaged and focused.
Vassell’s high IQ and lanky frame allow him to get into passing lanes on the defensive end for easy steals. Once in transition, Vassell can showoff his athleticism on the other end. He’s also an excellent cutter and seems to know just the right time to sneak to the basket for a dunk. His feel for the game comes naturally, and he rarely forces the issue. Vassell averaged less than one turnover per game both years at Florida State. Vassell is the ideal 3 & D player that many teams covet in today’s NBA. With space on the offensive side of the ball and freedom on defense, he can thrive in any system.

Weaknesses
Although he did improve as a sophomore, Vassell still needs to get better at creating offense for himself in isolation. He also must continue to add bulk to his thin frame so he can withstand an 82-game season. 200 lbs is small for a 6’7 wing, but Vassell just turned 20 years old in August. He’s got plenty of growing to do. Strength will naturally come as he matures, so he’ll be fine with time.

In a halfcourt set, Vassell has to be more vocal and aggressive on offense because he often fades into the background when he’s not in transition. Right now, he’s better suited for a spot-up shooter role in the halfcourt. But his athleticism will be wasted if he stands in the corner and waits for teammates to find him for an open shot. He should be attacking the basket a lot more often.
Last but not least, his free throw shooting needs some improvement. Vassell shot 73.8 percent as a sophomore and just 67.9 percent as a freshman from the charity stripe. Seeing such low numbers from the foul line is surprising for someone who shoots so well from outside. His percentage at the line has to get better if he wants to play crucial minutes down the stretch for any team. His shooting success elsewhere on the court suggests he can improve.
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Re: Prospect Spotlight -- Devin Vassell 

Post#49 » by Jamaaliver » Sun Sep 20, 2020 8:19 pm

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Re: Prospect Spotlight -- Devin Vassell 

Post#50 » by Jamaaliver » Tue Sep 22, 2020 2:55 pm

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Re: Prospect Spotlight -- Devin Vassell 

Post#51 » by Jamaaliver » Sun Oct 4, 2020 4:01 pm

Devin Vassell, a 6-foot-6 forward with a long reach and underrated athleticism, is an ideal player for the modern game. Not only can he defend multiple positions and drain 3-pointers at a commendable rate, but his shot creation truly began to come around before the NCAA season was abruptly finished.

Playing next to [Trae Young], Vassell fills just about every criteria in the book. Not only is he a reliable shooter at 41.5 percent on 105 3-point attempts as a sophomore, but Vassell can pick up on defense where [Young] falters. Vassell can slide in at positions 2-through-4 pretty reliably — At least to this point in his progression.

That’s a valuable asset to have on defense, where Vassell truly makes his presence felt. Not only does Devin stick like glue to his matchup’s hip, but he’s great at surveying the court and making defensive plays when his teammates get caught up. Having this kind of high-IQ, high motor defender next to an offensive-minded player like [Young] would bode well for the team’s chances of getting back into the postseason in 2021.
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Re: Prospect Spotlight -- Devin Vassell 

Post#52 » by Jamaaliver » Sun Oct 11, 2020 7:04 pm

Warriors eyeing Vassell if they trade back in draft

If Golden State does trade back, one option reportedly really stands out to the Warriors. The Warriors would "strongly consider" selecting Florida State shooting guard Devin Vassell if they traded back in the top 10, the San Francisco Chronicle's Connor Letourneau reported Friday, citing multiple league sources. Letourneau reported that there's "an outside chance" the Warriors take Vassell at No. 2 if there isn't "an enticing offer to move down."

Vassell, 20, averaged 12.7 points, 5.1 rebounds, 1.6 steals and 1.4 assists per game as a sophomore last season. He made 41.7 percent of his 3-pointers in college, and he was second on the Seminoles last season in defensive rating (93.6) among players who played regular minutes.

The defense reportedly is what the Warriors value most in Vassell, with Letourneau reporting that Golden State considers him the draft's best wing defender. Vassell's ability on both ends, however, reminded his college coach of one of the Warriors' biggest stars.

“I always tell people that he’s very similar to (Klay) Thompson,” Florida State coach Leonard Hamilton said of Thompson in an interview with The Chronicle. “If you look at his shooting stats at Washington State, they’re similar to Devin’s. He’s long, lean, athletic.”

Vassell eclipsed Thompson's collegiate sharpshooting (39 percent on 3-pointers), but he also wasn't relied upon as much offensively as Thompson was at Washington State. The Warriors wouldn't rely upon Vassell to exceed Thompson's production in the pros, either, and perhaps most importantly, he would go a long way toward filling the defensive void left behind last summer when Kevin Durant signed with the Brooklyn Nets, Andre Iguodala was traded to the Memphis Grizzlies and Shaun Livingston retired.

There's a lot to like about Vassell. If the Warriors find a taker for the No. 2 pick between now and the draft on Nov. 18, they reportedly could have him in mind.
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Re: Prospect Spotlight -- Devin Vassell 

Post#53 » by Jamaaliver » Sun Oct 11, 2020 7:16 pm

NBA Draft Scouting: Devin Vassell

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Under the guidance of FSU Head Coach Leonard Hamilton, Vassell has grown as a ball-handler and as a defensive presence on the court. He is an attractive proposition for all teams; every team wants to find a quality, young 3&D wing. These players are not readily available in the trade market or in free agency. Vassell’s skills translate nicely to the NBA, and this is a key reason why he is projected to go in the lottery.

He would provide shooting, athleticism and shot creation at the wing spot. When you watch college prospects, you will usually see one glaring flaw that the player must correct. The only real flaw which I noticed in Vassell’s game is that he is not particularly explosive. He has enough hops to be a capable dunker but he did struggle to beat his man off the drive when he was matched up with a more athletic player.

This is not a big issue, his explosiveness can be corrected and improved if he works on his body over the next few years. A lot of rookies enter the league with bodies that need time to adapt to the demands of the NBA.

There are a few minor issues such as his inconsistency as a scorer and his tendency to over help as a defender but these are good problems to have. I would rather have an unselfish guy who learns when to assert himself than a ball-hog.

There are two big positives to Vassell’s game which put him towards the top of my list. Devin is a good athlete and a great shooter. Vassell’s athleticism is not measured by his vertical but how he traverses the court. Vassell covers ground really well and stops quickly; these are incredibly useful skills for a basketball player to have.

His shooting is mechanically sound and he was a deadeye from deep for the Seminoles. Vassell shot 41.5% from 3-point land last season and he took 3.5 attempts per game from outside. That is really solid production and there is enough data from his two seasons at Florida State to suggest that these results are not anomalies.

Vassell’s strengths lies in his shooting and defense but his burgeoning playmaking should not be ignored. Over the course of the season, Vassell has worked on being a creator off the dribble. He is not perfect by any means but he has been smooth on the drive and was able to create shots for himself effectively.

Vassell projects to be a knockdown shooter and a tough defender.
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Draft Profile: Devin Vassell

Age: 20
Height: 6’7”
Weight: 194
Wingspan: 6’10”
Position: Wing
Stats: 12.7 PPG, 5.1 RPG, 1.4 SPG, 27.8 MPG, 49.0% FG, 41.5% 3PT, 73.9% FT
Hometown: Suwanee, GA

Strengths: Vassell is arguably one of the best and most athletic wing defenders in this year’s draft. He can guard on-ball and off-ball, with a 6’10” wingspan that projects him to guard ‘1’ through ‘4’ at the next level. He shot 41.5% from deep his sophomore season, sporting a 56.5% effective field goal percentage. Vassell is an explosive athlete who also runs the floor well and never stops hustling. As his college head coach Leonard Hamilton details below, Vassell has all of the intangibles to play in the NBA.

Weaknesses: He will need to improve his ability to create offense. Like many rookies, Vassell will need to build more muscle and get stronger. His offensive game will be the concern, but he should be ready to play on the defensive end right away.
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Re: Prospect Spotlight -- Devin Vassell 

Post#54 » by Radioblacktive1 » Thu Oct 15, 2020 11:14 pm

Yuck.

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Hope this is some kinda joke. Would be an ill-timed joke but man I hope it’s a joke.
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Re: Prospect Spotlight -- Devin Vassell 

Post#55 » by Jamaaliver » Sat Oct 24, 2020 6:50 pm

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Re: Prospect Spotlight -- Devin Vassell 

Post#56 » by Jamaaliver » Wed Oct 28, 2020 3:53 pm

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Re: Prospect Spotlight -- Devin Vassell 

Post#57 » by Spud2nique » Wed Oct 28, 2020 4:18 pm

Jamaaliver wrote:


Most mysterious slot. 4-12
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Re: Prospect Spotlight -- Devin Vassell 

Post#58 » by Jamaaliver » Wed Oct 28, 2020 4:43 pm

Why Florida State's Devin Vassell fits perfectly

Here is a look at how Vassell grades out as a prospect and some thoughts on whether he would work for the Kings when the draft rolls around next month.
Stats

Stats: 12.7 points, 5.1 rebounds, 1.6 assists, 1.4 steals, 49% FG, 41.5% 3-point FG

Age: 20 Height: 6-foot-7 Weight: 195 Wingspan: Estimated 6-foot-10 to 7-foot

Vassell is a long, athletic wing with a high motor and 3-and-D skill set.

While he didn’t post huge offensive numbers, it was more due to the system he played in under head coach Leonard Hamilton at Florida State.

His best scoring output came against Virginia Tech on Feb. 1, when he dropped 27 points on 8-of-10 from the field and a perfect 7-for-7 from long range. On Jan. 18, he scored 23 points against Miami and set new career-highs in rebounds with 11 and assists with five.

NBA measurements could help him dramatically in the draft process.

Strengths

Vassell isn’t a finished product, but he brings a refined skill set to the NBA that translates to almost any roster. He’s versatile enough to play the two or the three at the pro level and he should be able to defend plenty of point guards as well.

He shot 41.5 percent from 3-point range on 3.5 attempts per game and he can hit the triple from every spot on the floor. He has a high release and is very good as a catch-and-shoot floor spacer.

Vassell has a soft touch with a floater and he can get up and down the court in a hurry. He also can create space with a step-back and there is a strong possibility that he has more offensive game than what he was allowed to show in his two seasons at Florida State.

In addition to his shooting ability, Vassell has strong passing skills and he turned the ball over just 0.8 times per game in his final NCAA season.

Known for his hustle on the defensive end, Vassell also shows good energy on the offensive side of the ball. He cuts with purpose, works hard to get open off of screens and he even hits the offensive glass on occasion.

Where Vassell makes an immediate impact on a team is on the defensive end. He projects as both a very good on-ball and team defender. His length and quickness allow him to stick with his man and he doesn’t give up on plays.

On the perimeter, Vassell closes out well and he competes to get through screens despite his slight frame. He communicates well, plays the passing lanes and even blocks shots.

Weaknesses

Vassell has a slightly limited offensive game. He’s solid from long range, has a floater and can get out in transition, but at the NBA level he’ll be more of a catch-and-shoot player who gets a few opportunities in transition and off of cuts.

He doesn’t have a strong face up or post game. He can hit a mid-range jumper, but he often settles for tough shots and rarely gets all the way to the rim.

While he rarely turns the ball over, he also isn’t a player you can necessarily run the ball through as a secondary distributor. He makes the right pass, which is commendable, and his role at Florida State might have limited his ability to show off additional skills.

He isn’t someone who draws a lot of contact and he went to the line just 2.2 times per game in his sophomore season. Not only does he not get to the line at a high clip, but he shot just 73.8 percent from the stripe.

Vassell needs to get stronger and a professional training staff likely would help him refine his body overall. He’s always going to be a wiry player, but there is plenty of room for growth.

He’s more feisty than physical on both ends of the court, although he knows his role and plays to his strengths.

Fit with Kings Hawks

As a 20-year-old, Vassell might be able to step in and start from Day 1 for a team like Sacramento. He’s a high basketball IQ player with a big motor who focuses on the defensive end.

He’ll start out his career as primarily a third or fourth option on the offensive side of the ball, but his ability to shoot lights out from the perimeter would space the floor for [Trae Young] and give [the Hawks] one more deep threat.

On the defensive side of the ball, his length and ability to defend the one, two and three would help Sacramento tremendously. He could mask some of the defensive deficiencies of [Huerter] at the two and take some of the pressure off of [Young] for stints as well.

In addition to providing depth at the three, he also would allow [Coach Lloyd Pierce] to move [De'Andre Hunter] to the stretch-four for longer stretches...Vassell might have the most balanced game of the options and his upside is tremendous.

Player Comparison

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Re: Prospect Spotlight -- Devin Vassell 

Post#59 » by Spud2nique » Wed Oct 28, 2020 4:57 pm

Jamaaliver wrote:
Why Florida State's Devin Vassell fits perfectly

Here is a look at how Vassell grades out as a prospect and some thoughts on whether he would work for the Kings when the draft rolls around next month.
Stats

Stats: 12.7 points, 5.1 rebounds, 1.6 assists, 1.4 steals, 49% FG, 41.5% 3-point FG

Age: 20 Height: 6-foot-7 Weight: 195 Wingspan: Estimated 6-foot-10 to 7-foot

Vassell is a long, athletic wing with a high motor and 3-and-D skill set.

While he didn’t post huge offensive numbers, it was more due to the system he played in under head coach Leonard Hamilton at Florida State.

His best scoring output came against Virginia Tech on Feb. 1, when he dropped 27 points on 8-of-10 from the field and a perfect 7-for-7 from long range. On Jan. 18, he scored 23 points against Miami and set new career-highs in rebounds with 11 and assists with five.

NBA measurements could help him dramatically in the draft process.

Strengths

Vassell isn’t a finished product, but he brings a refined skill set to the NBA that translates to almost any roster. He’s versatile enough to play the two or the three at the pro level and he should be able to defend plenty of point guards as well.

He shot 41.5 percent from 3-point range on 3.5 attempts per game and he can hit the triple from every spot on the floor. He has a high release and is very good as a catch-and-shoot floor spacer.

Vassell has a soft touch with a floater and he can get up and down the court in a hurry. He also can create space with a step-back and there is a strong possibility that he has more offensive game than what he was allowed to show in his two seasons at Florida State.

In addition to his shooting ability, Vassell has strong passing skills and he turned the ball over just 0.8 times per game in his final NCAA season.

Known for his hustle on the defensive end, Vassell also shows good energy on the offensive side of the ball. He cuts with purpose, works hard to get open off of screens and he even hits the offensive glass on occasion.

Where Vassell makes an immediate impact on a team is on the defensive end. He projects as both a very good on-ball and team defender. His length and quickness allow him to stick with his man and he doesn’t give up on plays.

On the perimeter, Vassell closes out well and he competes to get through screens despite his slight frame. He communicates well, plays the passing lanes and even blocks shots.

Weaknesses

Vassell has a slightly limited offensive game. He’s solid from long range, has a floater and can get out in transition, but at the NBA level he’ll be more of a catch-and-shoot player who gets a few opportunities in transition and off of cuts.

He doesn’t have a strong face up or post game. He can hit a mid-range jumper, but he often settles for tough shots and rarely gets all the way to the rim.

While he rarely turns the ball over, he also isn’t a player you can necessarily run the ball through as a secondary distributor. He makes the right pass, which is commendable, and his role at Florida State might have limited his ability to show off additional skills.

He isn’t someone who draws a lot of contact and he went to the line just 2.2 times per game in his sophomore season. Not only does he not get to the line at a high clip, but he shot just 73.8 percent from the stripe.

Vassell needs to get stronger and a professional training staff likely would help him refine his body overall. He’s always going to be a wiry player, but there is plenty of room for growth.

He’s more feisty than physical on both ends of the court, although he knows his role and plays to his strengths.

Fit with Kings Hawks

As a 20-year-old, Vassell might be able to step in and start from Day 1 for a team like Sacramento. He’s a high basketball IQ player with a big motor who focuses on the defensive end.

He’ll start out his career as primarily a third or fourth option on the offensive side of the ball, but his ability to shoot lights out from the perimeter would space the floor for [Trae Young] and give [the Hawks] one more deep threat.

On the defensive side of the ball, his length and ability to defend the one, two and three would help Sacramento tremendously. He could mask some of the defensive deficiencies of [Huerter] at the two and take some of the pressure off of [Young] for stints as well.

In addition to providing depth at the three, he also would allow [Coach Lloyd Pierce] to move [De'Andre Hunter] to the stretch-four for longer stretches...Vassell might have the most balanced game of the options and his upside is tremendous.

Player Comparison

Mikel Bridges, Eddie Jones
NBC Sports -- Bay Area


NBC Bay Area? Ya, I’ll take this one. The Warriors are liars about some prospects but this one is legit. Kerr lies a ton he should have a big fat nose.
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Re: Prospect Spotlight -- Devin Vassell 

Post#60 » by Jamaaliver » Tue Nov 10, 2020 5:00 am

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As a sophomore though Vassell burst onto the scene in a lot of ways, starting all 30 games for the Seminoles while also leading them in scoring at a modest 12 points per game. He showed a strong ability to shoot from the outside while playing excellent defense like most Hamilton wings tend to do. Three-and-D wings like Vassell are all the rage in the NBA right now as teams like the Heat and Lakers used those key role players to reach the NBA Finals. As basketball goes more and more positionless, players of Vassell’s ilk will continue to be in high demand with their ability to stretch the floor while guarding multiple positions on the other end.

Spot-Up Shooting
Spoiler:
Ultimately his game on the offensive ends begins with his ability to knock down the three-point shot. Vassell finished 37 percent of his possessions last season at Florida State in spot-up situations and cashed those at a 40 percent clip. He’s the definition of a three-and-D wing and he makes no bones about it. He’s a guy who shot 41 percent from three both seasons in college even after doubling his attempts this past season. That’s not to say he can’t create his own shot, something he showed an improved ability to do as the season went on. He began to show a pull-up and stepback jumper in the mid-range area. Early on in the league, the majority of his points will come from, spot-up threes, and the ensuing attacks of closeouts those opportunities will present.
Defense
Spoiler:
Devin Vassell is a player who is committed to defense. He’s not a supreme lockdown defender but he is smart, instinctual, and does a good job acting as a team defender. He gives maximum effort on the defensive end, something you can’t say about most other 2020 draft prospects. In addition to the effort he gives, Vassell is also an excellent communicator off-ball and is a good help defender on cutters, drivers, and post-ups.

One issue that could be exposed early on in his career is his lack of strength, that’s an opportunity where many wings might take advantage of him. Overall the team who selects Vassell is getting a nice three-and-D wing with the ability to grow into a guy who can go get his own shot.
Weakness: Handle & Ability to Create
Spoiler:
I’ve mentioned already he’s shown improvement in this area but Vassell does have work to do to make this an aspect of his game he can count on at the next level. He only ended 11 possessions this year as an isolation scorer. At this time he’s much more comfortable coming off a screen as a pick and roll ball-handler and getting his own shot. With that high release point he has, once his handle is tightened up he should be someone who only needs to create a sliver of space to get that shot off. It’s not as drastic a weakness as some players have entered the draft but this is one in time he should be able to develop. In a few years, we could be talking about Vassell being a three-level scorer with the ability to create for himself if he continues to develop.
2020 NBA Draft Comparison
Spoiler:
Khris Middleton

Vassell is closer to early-career Khris Middleton before Middleton developed the scoring arsenal he shows now for the Bucks. He shot in that low 40 percent range from three and was a solid shot-maker from the mid-range making 45 percent or better each year. We’ve mentioned already that Vassell’s mid-range shot creation is improving, and if that keeps developing it could become a key facet of his game similar to Middleton’s. This is a high-level comparison in that if Vassell puts everything together with his frame and shooting ability that maybe he ends up at this level. One thing about Vassell that many teams love is that he has an extremely high floor, one of the highest in the draft. If he can exceed that floor and settle closer to his ceiling, this is a comparison that could come to fruition. This is a solid comparison heading into the 2020 NBA Draft.

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