Pre-Tournament, I reviewed as many players as I possibly could and what the expectations are from scouts coming in.
D'Shawn Schwartz, George Mason - Schwartz is an intriguing selection to the Portsmouth Invitational Tournament (PIT). He played a pivotal role in George Mason's ascension under Coach Kim English this season, and was also a vital cog in the Colorado Buffaloes attack two years ago. Schwartz is a lengthy 6'7 wing with a versatile offensive game, and a penchant for playing fundamentally sound positional defense. With George Mason this year, Schwartz demonstrated that he can shoot the three with some consistency, connecting on 38.2% of his attempts from beyond the arc. He can step in and shoot the long ball, but he is much better coming off of screens, when he has enough time to get his feet set. Schwartz rarely forces the action, and is most efficient in catch and shoot situations. This year, he demonstrated that he is crafty enough to score inside, due to his excellent footwork and a decent midrange stepback. With his strengths in mind, Schwartz is not a vertical athlete by any means and lacked the burst to blow by his man at the college level. As a pro, he projects as a three and D specialist, opportunistically picking his spots. On the opposite end, D'Shawn Schwartz is a very good position defender with great footwork and decent floor awareness, as evidenced by his 2.3 fouls committed per contest (via kenpom.com). Given his advanced understanding of verticality, D'Shawn employs his good length to wall up against his opponents at the rim, forcing them into difficult shots. He rarely reaches, but might struggle to contain elite athletes at the NBA level. Schwartz must not disappear for large stretches of the game - scouts will look to see how consistent his efforts are at this event. He also must show that he is comfortable in the pick and roll game.
Jacob Gilyard, Richmond - Jacob Gilyard was the sparkplug that propelled the Spiders to a last minute victory in the A10 tournament against Davidson, as well as the impetus behind Richmond's first round upset of Iowa. The 5'9 speedster was the key cog in Richmond's attack, orchestrating one of the most unselfish offenses in college basketball. Gilyard thrives attacking the basket with his blazingly fast first step. He finishes well at the rim when he is able to get by his man. Gilyard is also a competent three point shooter, and probably better than his 36.0% 3pt% would indicate. He does an excellent job creating space in order to get his shot off, and can hit shots off the catch or the bounce (though he is a bit of a rhythm shooter). With that said, his perimeter shot is sometimes inconsistent,so if he is able to connect on the majority of his three point shots at the PIT, he should boost his stock a bit. In terms of passing the ball, Gilyard is a maestro in the pick and roll game, executing precision passes off the dribble or from a stationary position. This is one of his best attributes, and I expect him to stand out in this area at the event. Defensively, scouts will be looking to see how Gilyard defends bigger guards. He is the NCAA's all time steals leader, and he has some of the best hands at this event. Despite his good hands and instincts in passing lanes, Gilyard only averaged 1.6 fouls per 40 minutes (75th in the country according to kenpom.com), which shows how disciplined he is on this side of the floor. How he competes against bigger guards will be telling for his long term pro potential. Gilyard's run at the end of the season was one of the most exciting aspects of March Madness this year. Can he continue his excellent play against some of the top seniors in the country? I believe so.
Grant Golden, Richmond - Rivaling the vision of former teammate Jacob Gilyard, Grant Golden is one of the best passing big men at this event. He is adept at feeding his teammates in high-low situations, but can also pass on the move off the dribble, which should separate him from other players here. In the post, Golden has a serviceable jump hook, which he executes to perfection against most post defenders. He is fundamentally sound as a roll man in the pick and roll and looks for openings. Golden also has a very good spatial awareness and this enables him to time his basket cuts perfectly. He is a tough cover mostly because of his ability to shield the ball and finish after gaining an advantage cutting to the rim. He is a fundamentally sound screener, and he often frees up his teammates for open looks by anticipating their defender's next move. In terms of his outside shooting, Golden looked to shoot it more from the perimeter this season, but with mixed results, connecting on a paltry 28.0% of his attempts. At the PIT, Grant Golden will have to show that he can hit the open three pointer with some consistency if he hopes to receive minutes at a higher level. He ultimately will also have to speed up his release. Another major question mark will be Golden's ability to defend the pick and roll and challenge shots in space. Also, will he be able to switch out on the perimeter and close out on shooters? Golden will need to hedge harder if he hopes to make a good impression, as he cannot slack on shooters coming off ball screens as he tended to at the college level. On the glass, Grant Golden is a proficient rebounder with good strength and fundamentals. Ultimately, Golden's effort and unique profile as a passing big man could enable him to make a positive impression, if he is able to compensate for some of his weaknesses.
Nate Watson, Providence - Nate Watson is a traditional big, but unquestionably one of the most physically imposing players at this event. Look for him to continue his post dominance at the PIT. Watson thrives down low by battling for deep post position and sealing his man inside. Once he receives the ball, Watson is a dynamic back to the basket player, who can utilize a drop step and finish, or spin to either shoulder. He has quick feet and is ambidextrous, finishing inside with either hand on a half hook or a lay-in. Watson did a nice job coming off of screens in Providence's flex sets this season. Ultimately, where Watson will need to show some progress is in his pick and roll game. While he was often the main focus of most defenses this season, the game should open up for him to showcase his ability as the roll man. In terms of his perimeter shot, Watson can keep defenses honest from the midrange, but is most comfortable from the foul line extended. His shot has a considerable hitch and this might be something he considers changing at the next level. On the glass, Watson clears out space with the best of them, and is an excellent offensive rebounder. On the other end of the floor, Nate Watson is a good shot blocker, who plays fundamentally sound post defense. However, he must demonstrate to scouts that he can adequately defend the pick and roll, and also not give up easy shots in space when switched onto guards. Watson clears out space with the best of them, and is an excellent offensive rebounder.
Tyrese Martin, UConn - Martin is one of my pre-tournament picks to really standout and possibly earn all-tournament honors. Martin is a deadeye '3&D' weapon, who made strides from beyond the arc, connecting on 43.0% of his 3pt shot attempts this season, up from ~32.0% in every other season. He does an excellent job shooting off of screens and clearly has NBA range. In terms of the rest of his game, Martin has always been a dynamic slasher with the requisite athleticism to attack the rim, where he often draws fouls (3.5 fouls drawn per 40 mins). He finishes extremely well with either hand and employs a reliable floater. Tyrese Martin is also difficult to contain on the glass, as he finished top 15 in the Big East in both defensive rebounding % and offensive rebounding % (according to kenpom.com),despite playing alongside Adama Sanogo and Isaiah Whaley. He has a good nose for the ball, but is also physical boxing out and times his jumps. On the defensive end, Martin is a ball hawk, who was habitually tasked with covering the opposition's top wing. He is physical on this end of the floor and is good at contesting without fouling. In addition to his strengths on both ends of the floor, look for scouts to zero in on how he performs as a shot creator/playmaker. If he demonstrates even more strides in this area than shown on his UConn tape, this could really elevate him into a solid 2nd round draft pick.
RJ Cole, UConn - RJ Cole has improved dramatically during his time at UConn. He came in as an undersized combo guard who attacked the rim on every play and has transformed himself into a viable lead guard over his two years here. RJ Cole is a great slasher with excellent quickness and a strong handle. He is crafty finishing at the rim and has the basketball IQ/savvy to turn to his deadly quick-release floater in order to avoid meeting shot blockers at the basket. RJ Cole possesses great spatial awareness overall, and needs only a little bit of daylight in order get his shot off when coming off of screens. He can pullup from anywhere and score off the catch or the bounce. Scouts will be looking to see if his three point shot is serviceable enough to keep defenses honest at the next level. While he only connected on 33.9% of his 3pt attempts in 2021-22, the degree of difficulty on many of his attempts was considerable due to his increased usage this season. Cole is also a reliable midrange scorer and will employ a shot fake in order to find an open crease in the defense, before rising up and scoring on a high percentage (uncontested) shot. While RJ Cole can finish at the rim due to his strength and toughness, it will be interesting to see how he performs when covered by taller/longer guards. In terms of his playmaking, RJ has made considerable strides at UConn, making the right play inside to open teammates or finding someone along the perimeter. Will he thrive in the pick and roll with better spacing? I imagine so, due to his versatile offensive toolset. On the defensive end, Cole competes and has very good hands.He sometimes finds himself out of position or reaches when he shouldn't. He must show that he can physically compete against more athletic lead guards and limit their production. Ultimately, RJ Cole is an intriguing player with a chance to boost his stock at the PIT.
Isaiah Whaley, UConn - While Isaiah Whaley is one of the best shot blockers at the event, he could ultimately end up showcasing a more versatile offensive toolset than most had been accustomed to seeing from him during his time at UConn. Whaley is an active, mobile big with the potential to become more of a stretch option, despite only hitting 29.1% of his three point attempts a season ago. Whaley possesses good form on his shot and a decent release, which are also evident in his touch at the line (74.0% this season). Scouts will be looking to see if his range extends out to the NBA three point line. He is still most comfortable from the midrange, but if he is able to keep defenses honest from NBA 3, this should boost his stock considerably. Whaley is a good athlete with solid length and does a nice job cleaning up on the offensive glass.His back to the basket post up game is just average at this point, but he can face up and drive the lane. Whaley's strongest potential comes in the pick and roll game due to his speed/footwork getting downhill after setting a screen. While the lane was clogged a bit at UConn because they played Whaley alongside Sanogo, this should change for him at the next level, and we should expect to see him thrive as a roll man. Whaley is also quick out in transition and runs the floor very well. Look for him to thrive in this area. On the defensive end, Isaiah Whaley can change the game with his ability to block shots and defend out on the perimeter. He possesses good lateral quickness for a big. He is sometimes late to closeout three point shooters, but he does an excellent job blocking shots as a help man in the paint.Look for him to make a difference defensively at the PIT.
Alex O'Connell, Creighton - Alex O'Connell is an active, fundamentally sound wing with good potential on the defensive end. On offense, O'Connell does a great job moving without the ball to free himself on curl routes or basket cuts. When he slashes to the basket, O'Connell does a nice job of attacking rim protectors and drawing contact. Alex sports a good handle and is effective shooting off the dribble, particularly from the midrange coming off of curl routes. He has good bounce and elevation on his shot. While he is a very good three point shooter when he gets his feet set, O'Connell tends to rush his shot coming off of curl routes and struggles with his balance when squaring his body to the basket after rising up. Scouts will be paying attention to how he shoots the ball at this event. In terms of playmaking, O'Connell is unselfish and makes the right pass with the ball in his hands, regularly finding cutters and outside shooters. On the defensive end, O'Connell is extremely disciplined (1.9 fouls committed per 40 minutes, best in the Big East this year), and stays with his man, as he showed in his NCAA tournament matchup against Ochai Agbaji and eventual national champs, Kansas. He fights over the top of screens and displays good lateral quickness. O'Connell hustles to loose balls and does what he can to help his team win. It will be interesting to see how assertive he is at an event like the PIT.
Ryan Hawkins, Creighton - Ryan Hawkins is a winner. The former D2 National Champion earned a spot at this event with his gritty play down the stretch and deadeye shooting. While he only connected on 35.8% of his attempts this year, he is a better shooter than this figure indicates. Hawkins is an efficient marksman from beyond the arc and has incredible range on his stroke. He utilizes the threat of his outside shot to drive the lane. While his handle is passable at this stage, he does a decent job of shielding his body with the ball and taking it all the way to the rim. He does a nice job finishing with his right, but needs to show more going left at this event. Hawkins is a good back to the basket post option, and is crafty with his footwork in the lane. He is also a tough rebounder inside and fundamentally sound enough to use his size to jockey for position on the defensive glass. In terms of his decision making, Hawkins is extremely unselfish, in the same vein as former NW Missouri St teammate Trevor Hudgins. He makes the right passes and looks to shift the defense. His basketball IQ is probably one of the best at this event. He will need his elite IQ to overcome his athletic shortcomings, though. While Hawkins is a good team defender and provides good help and backline support, walling up opponents at the rim, he will have a difficult time staying in front of quicker guards along the perimeter. When a guard is inevitably switched onto him, scouts will be looking to see how he calls out help and rotates or challenges shots. He struggled when matched up with Kansas' smaller guards and needs to show that he can close out on much quicker players. With the increased spacing of the NBA, how he defends one on one at this event will be absolutely critical in determining if he has a shot. It should be noted that Hawkins still is adjusting to the quicker pace of play (from his NW Missouri St offense), which would accelerate exponentially at the NBA level. I anticipate that he will take a little time to acclimate himself to the pace of pro basketball, but should make the necessary adjustments within the next year or so.
Alex Morales, Wagner - Morales is the two time NEC player of the year. He is a lengthy 6'6 playmaking wing with the versatility to guard multiple positions. On offense, Morales is a dynamic threat in the open floor, due to his good handle and decent athleticism/hang time. He attacks the rim with reckless abandon, and is creative enough off the bounce to freeze his man before driving by him. In halfcourt sets, Morales does a good job of involving his teammates and moving the ball side to side, probing the D. He is very comfortable shooting a one or two dribble pullup coming off of a high ball screen. His 34.7% three point % was average, but he shot it decently well with his feet set off the catch. He tends to force the action off of ball screens and take some difficult three pointers. At the PIT, scouts will be looking to see how Morales functions in the pick and roll game. At Wagner, he was a bit predictable and almost always either pulled up for a jumper off a ball screen or drove it all the way to the rim. If he could add a floater, this would do wonders for his game. Importantly, while he has made some strides since a season ago, scouts will also be looking closely at Morales' play strength and ball security. He has a tendency to be disrupted by contact, and the PIT might expose this area of his game, as it is historically called very loosely. With that said, Alex fights hard on the glass, utilizing his length and nose for the ball to secure critical rebounds and push the tempo. On the defensive end, Morales possesses good length and decent enough hands to disrupt offensive players. He theoretically could guard 1-3 at the next level, which makes him an intriguing player. In terms of his weaknesses on this side of the ball, Morales tends to allow quicker guards too much space, believing he can close out quickly due to his superior length. All in all, Alex Morales will have a chance to make a name for himself if he plays under control and defends well.
Terrell Brown Jr., Washington - First team All Pac-12 performer, Terrell Brown Jr., is one of the most dynamic slashing guards at this event. He is relentless driving the ball to the rim and sports an excellent handle and a difficult-to-contain first step. Brown's crossover regularly leaves his defenders in the dust and his in between game really separates him from many of the players here. Importantly, Brown is able to stop on a dime and rise up for jumpers in the paint, from the midrange, or with a floater in the lane. He possesses good balance and a high release point on these shots, and does a nice job of avoiding shot blockers. This is the majority of his offense. Brown was a reluctant three point shooter this year, taking less than 2 per game on the season. He only connected on 20.0% of his attempts, which was way down from his 36.8% 3pt % as Arizona. More than likely, this disparity was due to the differing quality of shot he was getting functioning at times off the ball with the Wildcats. Ultimately, Brown's footwork, hangtime and quickness in the painted region make him one of the most difficult guards to slow down, and he should thrive in transition at the PIT. As a decision maker, Brown has made some strides and often makes the right play along the perimeter. However, he has a tendency to force it inside, or towards the basket in transition. Scouts will be looking to see if Brown can consistently keep defenses honest with the three, and if he is able to create for his teammates in pick and roll scenarios rather than driving the rim every time. On the defensive end, Brown is a bit undersized, but he fights hard running to closeouts. Washington played a decent amount of zone this year, but Brown did a nice job chasing down shooters and forcing more difficult shots. When in man, Brown needs to work harder fighting around screens, but his excellent hands (3.4% steals %, 3rd in the Pac-12) and hustle suggest that he could have a strong showing on this side of the floor as well.
Ryan Turell, Yeshiva - Ryan Turell is one of the most decorated Division III prospects of the last decade and is also one of the most highly skilled players in this event. At a lengthy 6'7, Turell handled point forward duties with his Yeshiva team and is clearly capable of running the show with the ball in his hands. He sports a serviceable handle, which he uses to exploit and probe the defense. He can take players off the bounce with a dribble spin move, shot fake and blow by his man, or stop and rise up from just about anywhere on the floor. Turell is exceptionally effective utilizing the dribble drive, before pulling up for an uncontested midrange jumper. He possesses excellent balance and consistency on his shots. Turell also has clear NBA range, and is effective fading to the corner off of screens. He is a significant threat both as a catch and shoot option or attacking off the dribble, connecting on 46.8% of his three point attempts this year. In terms of his playmaking, Turell makes the right pass and has underrated vision. It will be interesting to see how he functions in pick and roll sets at the PIT, as he typically looked to drive the rim or rise up for a jumper at Yeshiva whenever presented with a high ball screen. While he may not be as physically imposing as some of the wings at this event, it will be interesting to see how Turell's back to the basket game translates. Turell is a highly capable turnaround jump shooter and he does a nice job shielding the ball on fadeaway jumpers. Scouts will be looking to see how strong he is with the ball and if he is bothered by the quicker pace and physicality at the PIT. While this may take some adjusting, Turell has the offensive repertoire to stand out at this event. On the defensive end, Turell's quick feet enabled him to stay with most guards at the DIII level. It will be interesting to see how he accepts the challenge physically in one on one matchups. Turell is already a very good team defender, and does a nice job closing out on shooters and getting in the passing lanes. Every so often, he misses a switch and does not get a hand up, but those instances are few and far between. More often, Turell utilizes his length and good lateral quickness to stymie the opposing offense. Overall, Turell is an intriguing player with very good ball skills, and he could make a name for himself here.
Tommy Kuhse, Saint Mary's - The former walk-on, turned star point guard is a steady veteran player with a savvy basketball IQ, who will likely thrive running the show at the PIT. Kuhse does an excellent job probing the defense and he is highly capable of finishing at the rim or connecting with a runner in the lane. Kuhse has a decent first step when attacking the basket, but he also is fundamentally sound enough to use the threat of his shot to draw the defense in before attacking. Kuhse possesses good spatial awareness (as does everyone on that Saint Mary's squad), and he is patient with his drives. When he gets to the rim, Kuhse does a nice job shielding the ball and finishing, despite not being an elite athlete. Additionally, Kuhse had a remarkable year shooting the ball for Saint Mary's, connecting on 45.3% of his attempts from beyond the arc - an area he improved dramatically from years past. He was most effective shooting off of ball rotation and should be a veritable threat to knock down big shots, if his teammates drive and kick back out to him. His 6th best Assist Rate in the WCC (according to kenpom.com) probably understates his impact, to put this in perspective. Kuhse's greatest strength is in the pick and roll game, and he demonstrates excellent vision and timing on many of his passes. This should be in full display at the PIT, as I expect him to fit in seamlessly with Grant Golden and Silvio de Sousa. On the defensive end, Kuhse competes and has decent hands, disrupting slashers and driving them into the help defender. While he is typically fundamentally sound on closeouts, he does tend to help down more than he should, which opens the door for shooters along the perimeter. Ultimately, Kuhse is not an elite athlete, but is one of the more complete players at the PIT. Scouts will look to see if he can play at a faster pace in transition and how he runs the show against lengthy defenders.
Josh Carlton, Houston - Josh Carlton is one of the most dynamic offensive rebounders in the country, and this Houston team really got the most out of him this year. His 17.2% offensive rebounding % (according to kenpom.com) was the best in the American and 4th best nationally. Carlton's strength, nose for the ball, underrated quickness (relative to his size) and good athleticism enable him to clean up on the glass. He should thrive cleaning up missed shots at the PIT. Additionally, Carlton is a decent pick and roll option, though he needs to become more versatile slipping screens and having a quicker burst on the initial roll. As it stands now, he does a good job carving out space and clearing a clear path to the basket for himself. In the post, Carlton has shown some strides from his UConn days, implementing a more versatile array of moves. While he always had a decent back to the basket spin move, he has opened that up and is using this more deliberately to faceup. His drop step has looked good on occasion, and Carlton's right shoulder hook has always been effective. Importantly, he needs to dig deeper and fight harder with his lower body to obtain post position. Far too often, he is called for an offensive foul for trying to seal players high (which for some of these guys who are 3'' shorter, Carlton inadvertently hits them in the face). Carlton must demonstrate more range on his jumper - this is an area he will need to work on in the coming years. On the defensive end, Josh Carlton does a good job contesting in the post, he is mobile enough as a help defender, and his strength really helps him rim protect. Carlton is a good shot blocker, as his 7.3% blocks% indicates (according to kenpom.com). All in all, Carlton will have to demonstrate that he is a viable screen and roll weapon, who can step out and defend on switches for scouts to take notice.
Fabian White Jr., Houston - Carlton's teammate, Fabian White, is an even more dynamic prospect, despite having less size. White is similarly tenacious on the offensive glass, posting a 9.3% offensive rebounding %, which is understated because of Carlton. However, he is more versatile and skilled on the offensive side of the ball. The 6'8 230lb forward added a three point shot to his arsenal, and this has done wonders for his pro prospects. He connected on 37.1% of his 132 3pt attempts last season, which is up dramatically from 5 attempts the season before. White can keep defenses honest from the midrange as well. With that said, White needs to demonstrate more effectiveness in the pick and roll/pick and pop game, as he still hesitates to shoot from three point range at times, and does not operate going to the basket as much. This will be an area scouts are paying attention to, as his shooting out of pick and roll sets was worse than when he was stationary as a catch and shoot option. While I believe that he is worse than a 37% 3pt shooter, White has still made significant strides in this area, and has also developed his faceup game off the three point line. He is now attacking on straight line drives. At the PIT, he will have to demonstrate that he can be strong with the ball on the perimeter. Scouts will be evaluating his handle on the perimeter and assessing his potential as a pick and pop weapon. White is a good decision maker with the ball and regularly makes the right pass to open teammates. On the defensive end, White is a very good shot blocker and has quick hands defensively. His 6.7% blocks % and 2.3% steals% (according to kenpom.com) are impressive, and he was one of the best shot blockers in the American all year. With that said, scouts will be paying attention to how he closes out on the perimeter, as Villanova's forwards exposed him a bit closing out on the three point shot. Additionally, his lateral quickness is only average when defending on switches, though he fights very hard to stay in the play and compete. It will be interesting to see how versatile this fiery competitor is defending bigs and switching onto wings at the PIT.
DeVante' Jones, Michigan - As predicted in my previous report (LINK), Jones operated a ton in the pick and roll at Michigan. He did a decent job of facilitating for his teammates, finding them for easy pick and pop looks most of the time. On other occasions, he utilizes the high ball screen to get to the rim, changing pace and beating his defender off the bounce. As mentioned previously, Jones has an impressive toolset attacking the basket. He has good body control, and can opt for the floater when necessary. While his usage went down a bit from his days at Coastal Carolina, Jones tended to force the action at times driving to the basket, instead of kicking it back out on the perimeter. This led to many difficult attempts against longer shot blockers. Many of his Michigan teammates tended to hang around on the perimeter and did not always move to the rim with him, allowing for the defense to collapse without a counter. As such, Jones should show more as a playmaker at this event. DeVante' was about as effective a three point shooter as he was at Coastal, connecting on 34.2% of his attempts. He must demonstrate that he can knock this shot down both off the dribble pulling up and off the catch on ball movement. Most importantly, scouts will be paying attention to how DeVante' Jones functions as a decision maker. While he played within himself for most of the season, Jones had some careless turnovers trying to split double teams and losing the handle on his dribble during the NCAA tournament. He also was not 100% himself, playing through a concussion. We will see how Jones handles the ball and distributes for his teammates - this will be the most crucial aspect of his game that he will have to excel in in order to improve his stock at the PIT. Jones is still a very good defensive rebounder, but his numbers understandably dipped a bit playing alongside Hunter Dickinson against some of the top big men in the country. On the defensive side of the ball, it will be interesting to see how Jones defends lengthier wings. Much of what I said previously, still stands: he has very good hands with just average lateral quickness.
Paul Atkinson Jr., Notre Dame - Atkinson was one of the most underrated players in the country all season long, and was a big reason Notre Dame emerged as a NCAA tournament team (along with standout freshman Blake Wesley) this past season. While they say that post work is a lost art, Atkinson could be the best back to the basket post player at this event. He does a nice job sealing and calling for the ball, and he does this very quickly. When his teammates inevitably feed him down low, Atkinson does a tremendous job feeling the contact and using that to determine which direction he will maneuver, much like 'The Dream' has taught younger post players over the years. Atkinson has excellent footwork in the lane (great up and under etc) and his ball fake catches most defenders off guard, drawing them in the air rather easily and earning trips to the line. Relative to his touches, Atkinson's 4.1 fouls drawn per 40 minutes (according to kenpom.com) are impressive. Additionally, Atkinson flashes potential in the pick and roll game and does a nice job of reading defenses here. Scouts will be paying attention to this element of his game. Also, a big question mark will be whether or not he can succeed against considerable length at the next level. Alabama did a great job limiting him in the NCAA tournament. Moving forward, Paul Atkinson needs to develop his outside shot in order to properly space the floor and keep defenses honest. With that said, he was one of the more efficient low post scorers (59.5% from 2, top 200 in the nation) in the country this year, and he will be a handful for opposing bigs down low. Defensively, Atkinson is still very much a work in progress. While he does a decent job on help defense, switching, and walling up if his teammate is beat to the rim, Atkinson needs to improve in most other areas on this end of the floor. He struggled to defend in the post one on one a season ago, as he did not bump players off their spot and allowed them to comfortably get into their move. Atkinson was a bit slow on closeouts as well. Scouts will be looking to see how he defends the pick and roll and closes out on shooters.
Tyrn Flowers, Long Island - Flowers is the quintessential stretch 4. The 6'9 forward/wing will have a chance to stand out at the PIT with his skilled perimeter scoring. Beyond the three point line, Ty does a nice job utilizing his jab step to push his defender back before rising up for a perimeter shot. Flowers connected on 38.4% of his 3 point attempts this season and is a threat off the catch or the dribble. He can step in and hit shots from the midrange as well. Importantly, when he is overplayed, Flowers has a tight enough handle to shield his defender and drive it to the rim. The threat of his shot enables him to get some easy attempts driving the lane. As a result, Flowers was very efficient from the field this season, with a 57.1% eFG% in conference play, good for 4th best despite his high usage. Ultimately, scouts will be looking to see how he operates as a screen and fade option at this event. With these strengths in mind, Flowers must play stronger with the ball when he attacks the basket. He rarely draws fouls. He also struggled to obtain low post position this season and was moved off his spot by Alex Morales in their matchup in the NEC tournament. Tangentially, Flowers must work harder on the glass. In terms of his decision making, Flowers is a decent passer, but he occasionally has lapses on his post entry feeds. Can he create for teammates off the dribble and move the ball along the perimeter? We will find out at the PIT. On the defensive end, Flowers has very good mobility for his size and does an excellent job of moving his feet without fouling, with only 1.9 fouls committed per 40 minutes (6th best in conference according to kenpom.com).With that said, he was still productive on the defensive end this past season, posting a 5.0% blocks % and a 2.1% steals %. He does a nice job of walling up at the rim and closing out on perimeter shooters. He can switch 3-4 positions at the pro level and this will be critical for his professional prospects.
Savion Flagg, Sam Houston State - The Texas A&M transfer is one of the more underrated players at this event, due to his unique combination of rebounding, shooting, and defense. The 6'7 former prep standout is a forward/wing highly adept at attacking the basket, as he uses his strength and body control to draw contact at the rim, drawing 4.9 fouls per 40 minutes according to kenpom.com (top 200 nationally). When he gets there, he must shoot better than 51.5% at the line. While his first step is not blazingly fast, Flagg does a nice job of shielding the ball and attacking when his defender is off balance. This is due to the threat of his shot, as Flagg is capable shooting off the bounce both from beyond the arc or from the midrange on a one or two dribble pullup. While Flagg connected on 35.1% of his three point attempts this year, well above his percentages a year ago, he must show scouts that he can consistently knock down this shot on balance, within the flow of the offense. His shot is a bit streaky. In terms of his ability to set up his teammates, Flagg is a willing passer and possesses good spatial awareness, always moving to open gaps in the defense and spreading the floor. However, he has a tendency of forcing it driving to the rim when the help defender comes over. On the glass, Flagg is one of the best rebounding wings and is phenomenal on the defensive glass in particular, where his 21.0% defensive rebounding % (according to kenpom.com) ranked in the top 200 in the nation. Flagg utilizes his strong build and quick leaping ability to clean up on the boards. Importantly, this quick leaping ability is evident in Flagg's excellent closeout speed on the defensive end. He regularly makes plays on the ball, blocking and changing perimeter shots. Flagg puts himself in position as a help defender and does a nice job in his rotations. He is physical one on one, and moves players off their spot. Flagg is physical enough to defend bigs in the post as well. He has very good hands and commits only 2.1 fouls per 40 minutes (according to kenpom.com). He has some difficulty recovering when hit with a screen. As such, scouts will be looking to see whether he can defend in the pick and roll, or if he will gamble, poking at the ball from behind, as he so often loves to do.
Gaige Prim, Missouri State - Gaige Prim is an underrated big man with good potential in the pick and roll game. In terms of his strengths, Prim's excellent physicality on the block enables him to seal his man inside. This allows him to catch easy passes and obtain good position on the glass when shots are put up. This ability to carve out space is attested to by his 12.1% offensive rebounding %, good for 80th nationally according to kenpom.com. His 20.3% defensive rebounding % is not too shabby either. After sealing his man, Prim goes to work either turning and facing up, or backing his man down before drop stepping and finishing. When he is forced further out against a shot blocker, Prim has a reliable sky hook over either shoulder. He is extremely difficult to contain inside and draws 6.0 fouls per 40 minutes (according to kenpom.com), good for 40th best in the nation. Scouts will most look forward to seeing Prim's potential in the pick and roll game. Importantly, Prim utilizes every bit of his wide body when screening, and he has the basketball IQ/savvy to know exactly when to time his roll to the rim. Prim often slips screens (something you see more of at the NBA level), allowing himself an opportunity to get right to the rim. What he will have to work on is kicking the ball back outside when the help defender stationed on the wing comes down to challenge his shot. Ultimately, though, Gaige Prim has great promise as a more traditional screen and roll big. If Prim can extend his range (only 18 3pt attempts this season), he will become a very solid pro. In terms of his decision making, Prim is a very willing passer and he is certainly able to pass out of the post if his teammates move without the ball. On the defensive end, Prim does a nice job walling up against post players. His 4.6% block rate was very good (6th best in conference play). With that said, he is not a great vertical athlete and must work harder to close out on shooters. As such, scouts will be looking to see how he defends in the P&R at Portsmouth.
Brandon Horvath, Utah State - Horvath is another player who projects as a pick and pop specialist. At the PIT, he must demonstrate more consistency from beyond the arc, as his 30.5% from 3 point range is way below what you would expect from a shooter of his caliber. At the college level, Horvath was an opportunistic scorer, who could mix it up in the paint, especially on mismatches. He has a decent jump hook in his arsenal and is adept at drawing fouls inside, as evinced by his 4.3 fouls drawn per 40 minutes (12th best in conference according to kenpom.com). While Horvath's footwork and overall ability to back down and finish in the paint might suggest that he would be a good post player at the next level, this element of his game will likely not translate due to his poor lower body strength and inability to seal his man on the block. As it stands now, he regularly starts way out near the three point line before backing his man down. Horvath shows considerable promise in the pick and roll game, and is agile enough to slash to the rim for an easy basket or adept enough to flash on the wing. Importantly, both Horvath and teammate Justin Bean have excellent spatial awareness on the floor, which enables them to move into gaps in the defense. When he is able to duck in and catch a post pass, Horvath converts at a very high rate. He also moves well without the ball and can basket cut, though no where near as well as Bean. Horvath is also a good passer out of the post and will regularly reverse the ball, finding open shooters. In terms of rebounding, Horvath is a good rebounder relative to his frame, and often sneaks in for rebounds against much bigger players. This will likely not continue at the pro level, though, as he does not possess the lower body strength to jockey for position on the block. On the defensive end, Horvath does a nice job switching on the perimeter, due to his decent lateral quickness. He closes out on shooters and displays decent effort on this end of the floor. He might have some promise as a pick and roll defender within a team construct. With that said, he will struggle to defend much stronger players on the block, who are able to seal and score over him due to his slight build. Scouts will be looking to see whether or not he can hit his three point shots and how he handles the physicality at the PIT.
Justin Bean, Utah State - Bean was arguably the best cutter in the country last season. He thrives moving without the ball and creating easy lay-in opportunities. Like Brandon Horvath, Bean's high IQ enables him to space the floor well and he uses these opportunities to probe the defense, staying in motion or setting screens whenever he can. Bean also has one of the best pure strokes in the country, as he connected on 46.9% of his 98 3pt attempts this season, which was a significant improvement from years past. The main question mark will be whether or not his release point holds up against lengthy defenders, as he tends to shoot the ball out in front of his face, making it easier for defenders to recover onto him and disrupt his shot. Bean also possesses a decent handle, and uses it to create a rhythm, shooting midrange jumpers when he is run off the line. He is also effective taking the ball all the way to the basket, using his long strides and good length to beat his man to the rim. Bean can shoot off the bounce and has an excellent array of one on one moves to beat his man, including a reliable back down post game. He can operate in pick and roll sets, and does a nice job fading out for open 3pt looks. Taken altogether, Bean was remarkably efficient from the field for Utah State this season, posting a 58.9% eFG%, which was top 100 in the nation according to kenpom.com. Bean is a willing passer and will look for open cutters when going downhill, or simply kick it out for an open three. His spatial awareness is very impressive, and this is why he is so adept without the ball. On the glass, Bean is an opportunistic rebounder who uses his length to collect boards, posting a 24.2% defensive rebounding % this season, 60th best in the country. On the defensive end, Bean is a bit of a mixed bag. While he possesses good length and does a nice job angling his opponent away from the basket, he is not as laterally quick as most wings. As such, he tends to get beat, but then recovers for blocked shots. His 2.7% steals % despite only 2.2 fouls committed per 40 minutes (according to kenpom.com) attests to his disciplined D. Scouts will be curious how he defends when iso'd on switches, as well as in the post.
Abu Kigab, Boise State - Kigab is one of the most versatile offensive weapons at this event, and he has a good amount of pro upside left in his game. While Kigab's handle has come a long way since he came to Boise State, he still is most comfortable driving right. How will he respond when defenders take that away? Importantly, Kigab looks like a pro creating space. When he drives the lane and comes to a jump stop, he attacks the body of the defender before connecting on some difficult fadeaway jumpers. He is also highly capable backing down his man and either attacking him directly or fading for a balanced jumper. While his first step is just above average, Kigab is incredibly crafty and does a nice job of angling his body to the basket, while shielding the ball. He is physical and attacks his defender's body with reckless abandon, drawing 5.9 fouls per 40 minutes, good for 53rd best nationally according to kenpom.com. If he does not want to attack the shot blocker directly, Kigab also has a reliable floater in his arsenal. Additionally, Abu Kigab is a good rhythm shooter in the midrange and can also connect from three point range, albeit at a lower rate. Scouts will be looking to see if Kigab can shoot better than his 30.0% 3pt % from a season ago. Importantly, Kigab is an excellent transition scorer and one on one weapon. He has good body control attacking the basket and easily scores in one on one situations. In terms of passing, Kigab is a very good passing on the move and regularly finds open shooters. He swings the ball side to side and finds teammates cutting to the basket. Kigab uses high ball screens to attack the basket most of the time. At the next level, he will need to find open teammates on the screen and pop. The PIT would be a good place to demonstrate this skillset. On the glass, Kigab is very aggressive corralling defensive rebounds, posting a 20.0% defensive rebounding % (according to kenpom.com). Kigab is aggressive defensively and does a nice job closing out onto shooters. Though he is only average laterally, he compensates with length and very good hands, as evinced by his 2.6% steals % overall, 20th best in conference play. With that said, he at times gets caught up on screens, and must show scouts at the PIT that he can fight through them.
Trevor Hudgins, Northwest Missouri State - Trevor Hudgins is one of the most decorated D2 players of all time and won the prestigious Bevo Francis Award, which goes out to the top non-D1 college basketball player. Over his four years, he never missed a game, and his Northwest Missouri St. team was 131-8 - never losing in the NCAA tournament. With Ryan Hawkins' departure to Creighton, Hudgins had to carry a greater portion of the offensive workload this year, and he delivered. His 168 3pt field goals set a new single season record for D2, and he connected on an outstanding 41.5% of his attempts. Given the incredible usage and workload, it is more likely that Hudgins is closer to a 50.0% 3pt field goal shooter, as he hit 50.8% and 53.3% from long range in his prior two seasons. As such, it is clear that scouts will be looking to see how Hudgins shoots the ball against longer, more athletic defenders. While his size at 6'0 will certainly be a hurdle he will have to overcome at the next level, Hudgins possesses an elite handle, with a patented stop and go move and a deadly crossover. He uses both of these to create space, and if he picks his spots appropriately, Hudgins should have little trouble getting his shot off at the PIT. As he continues to develop, it will be interesting to see how much he opts to use a floater in the lane. In terms of his passing ability, Hudgins has one of the highest basketball IQs at this event, and should have no issue distributing the ball. He does a nice job of driving and kicking it back out along the perimeter. Interestingly, the PIT committee paired him with former teammate, Ryan Hawkins - a move which could enable him to thrive. While scouts will be looking to see how he operates in pick and roll sets with a legit big man, Hudgins should have no trouble adjusting to this landscape and functioning more as a facilitator. Importantly, he does not need the ball in his hands to be effective, and the threat of his three point shot should open up the lane. On the defensive end, Hudgins might struggle initially against superior size and length. While he does a nice job closing out on shooters, his size hinders him a bit in this respect, although he does have good quickness staying with his man. With that said, Hudgins has extremely quick hands and if the ball is lowered for a second, he will deflect it and push the ball ahead for an easy transition opportunity. Overall, with how fundamentally sound he is, Hudgins is reminiscent of a smaller Jalen Brunson, particularly with his use of the shot fake. It will be interesting to see how one of the highest IQ players at this event adapts against stronger competition.
Jimmy Boeheim, Syracuse - Cornell transfer Jimmy Boeheim, the eldest of Coach Boeheim's sons, is a polished 6'8 shooter/scorer, who could make a name for himself on the offensive end at the PIT. Boeheim shot 37.9% from 3pt range for Syracuse this year, and excelled making shots off the catch and out in transition before the defense could get set. He utilizes the threat of his shot to drive the lane, and he does a great job of getting the defender on his hip, before shielding the ball and finishing through contact. He is fearless driving against some of the top bigs of the ACC, and is versatile enough of a scorer to make them pay with his array of shot fakes and spin moves in the lane. When he has the size advantage inside, Boeheim is quick to exploit it by either shooting over the top of the defender, or by shot faking and driving it to the rim. Importantly, he can make some tough shots in the lane through contact, fading right or left. When the defense overplays him, Jimmy is also a rhythm shooter and can step in to an easy jumper in the midrange. Boeheim is a very good one on one scorer, and he is crafty enough to utilize whatever advantage he has against his opponent. He rarely turns the ball over and is also a willing passer, who will drive and kick the ball back out to an open shooter. Jimmy competes on the glass, employing his solid length, but this is not the strongest part of his game. On the defensive end, there are significant question marks due to Syracuse's zone scheme. While he definitely put in effort on closeouts, Boeheim was often slow to recognize open shooters when collapsing down in the post. While he does a nice job using his length to contest, he has a tendency to jump into or near the shooter. Against savvy veterans at a pro level, they would easily be able to draw a foul from beyond the arc. Boeheim does not have the best lateral quickness, but I imagine he might be effective switching on defense due to his good length and willingness to compete on this end of the floor. Ultimately, scouts will be looking to see how Boeheim shoots on screen and fade opportunities and how he defends one on one and on switches.
Cole Swider, Syracuse - Villanova transfer Cole Swider is one of the best pure shooters at this event. Standing at 6'9, Swider is difficult to contain when he gets his feet set. Just as he did at Villanova, Swider spaces the floor, and oftentimes becomes a screener in order to free himself for an open look. He has very deep range and he is very balanced on his shot. He is also capable from the midrange and occasionally he will back down as a post option. When this happens, he often gets double teamed and is a bit turnover prone. While he does not get to the line often (only ~2 FT attempts per game), Swider connected on 86.6% of his attempts from the charity stripe this season. While his handle is not overly complex at this point and he does not have great burst, Swider utilizes the threat of his shot to get in the lane and rise up for balanced midrange jumpers. He has a nice fadeaway out of the post too. If he is consistently overplayed, Swider will backdoor cut for an easy basket. On the defensive glass, Swider does a good job competing, though he is not a great rebounder relative to his size. In terms of his passing, Swider is unselfish and frequently looks for his teammates, moving the ball along the perimeter. In the vein of most Villanova players, Swider rarely forces plays, despite being given more of a free reign to shoot at Syracuse. While Swider has typically operated as a floor spacer in spread concepts, he is a good pick and pop option, and does a nice job of setting his feet. On the defensive end, it is difficult to glean much from his play this year in the 2-3, other than that he was probably not the ideal player to use in the middle of the zone, due to his poor closeout speed. As a one on one defender, Swider competes hard, dating back to his time at Villanova, and anticipates plays well. While he lacks the lateral quickness and athleticism to stay with elite athletes, he has experience in a switching scheme and was able to get by during his time at Villanova. Ultimately, scouts will be looking to see how he closes out on shooters and how he shoots the ball out of screen and fade opportunities.
Ty Gordon, Nichols State - Ty Gordon is probably the fastest player at this event not named JD Notae. He also has one of the best handles and an extremely quick first step, which will get just about anyone at this event off balance. Despite his size at 6'1, Gordon is a score-first lead guard who can shoot from just about anywhere on the floor. His handle enables him to split double teams, and he uses high ball screens to gain a step and attack the basket. For a player with his slashing ability, he surprisingly does not draw that many fouls, drawing 3.6 per 40 minutes according to kenpom.com. With this in mind, this means that Gordon has a great deal of untapped potential scoring the ball. As a shooter, Gordon hit 34.2% of his 3pt attempts, despite posting a 31.9% usage, good for 41st in the country according to kenpom.com. While these numbers do not jump out on paper, Gordon is an extremely twitchy athlete, who can get his shot off rather easily. When he does, though, he must stay on balance. Factoring in the degree of difficulty on many of his shots, Gordon is probably a 40%+ 3pt shooter if he was not responsible for such a lion's share of the offensive burden. In terms of his ability to get to the rim, Gordon has a decent stop and go dribble and his first step is one of the quickest at this event. When he gets to the rim, he does a good job finishing. Gordon must prove to scouts that he can run the show and involve his teammates, while not forcing drives to the basket. He has a tendency to blow by the initial defender, but then has difficulty averting the help, leading to charges. On the defensive side of the ball, Gordon has the lateral quickness to stay in front of most players, but he is not often physical enough cutting off their angle to the basket. Instead, he tends to react versus leading the ball handler away from a straight line drive. He does have fairly quick hands and can poke the ball away, but he only posted a pedestrian 2.2% steals %, 18th best in the Southland conference. Finally, Gordon will have to demonstrate to scouts that he can do a better job disrupting shooters on closeouts and not get hung up on ball screens.
Rocky Kreuser, North Dakota State - Kreuser is a 6'10 stretch big with the ability to straight line drive it to the rim if the defense overplays. Importantly, he got much of his offense off of pick and pop opportunities, and he does a nice job of fading far enough away to get an open shot. He connected on 37.3% of his 3pt attempts, on 27.3% usage, according to kenpom.com. This is excellent for a stretch big. While his handle is only functional at this point, it gets him to where he wants to go on the court, as Kreuser possesses a good understanding of angles. He does a nice job of driving one way and then cutting towards the basket at the last moment. He often catches his defender off guard. He also employs a jab step when attacking and beats his man due to the threat of his shot. While he does not finish well through contact when going downhill, he is able to draw fouls, as evinced by his 5.2 fouls drawn per 40 minutes, third best in the Summit League according to kenpom.com. Despite not being an elite vertical athlete, Kreuser is often in "cruise control" when attacking the rim, due to his willingness to finish through contact while shielding the ball. In terms of his decision making, Kreuser is a willing passer along the perimeter and will kick the ball out on his drives. He does a nice job of moving without the ball in order to help rotate the defense and keep them off balance. In the post, Kreuser almost always faces up before trying to drive it to the basket. He must diversify his game down low a bit. On the defensive end, despite his average lateral quickness, Kreuser does a decent job defending in pick and roll scenarios, playing in space before looking to jump the passing lanes. He competes in the post, though he will struggle against lengthier bigs with a stronger base. Most importantly, though, scouts will look to see how Kreuser closes out when defending pick and pop opportunities, as he does not have great recovery speed.
Charlie Moore, Miami (Fl.) - Moore is a 5'11 floor general who has steadily improved his decision making and three point shooting over the years. With the Hurricanes, Moore connected on 36.4% of his perimeter jumpers overall and was better in conference play. Much of his shot selection was from well beyond NBA range, so he should have no problem adjusting at the PIT. While he does not have a blazingly quick first, Moore's good handles and overall speed enable him to attack the basket opportunistically and finish at the rim. Importantly, he shot 50.7% from two point range, indicating that he has been way more efficient than in years past. This is likely because he moved off ball at times for Miami (Fl), whereas he was responsible for most of the shot creating at Depaul. When attacking the basket, Moore can now stop on a dime and turnaround for a fading midrange jumper. He connects on this shot pretty consistently, as it is very difficult to defend. Moore is a very good passer, and he frequently plays within himself, moving the ball around the perimeter, and probing the defense when necessary. Scouts will look to see how he performs in pick and roll sets, and I don't expect him to disappoint in this regard. In transition, Moore does a nice job of pushing pace, and he is tenacious fighting for loose balls. While he has cut down on turnovers, he still attempts to make flashy passes and occasionally drives into double teams. He must prove to scouts that he can play under control and run the show for a pro club. On the defensive end, Moore's size is a great disadvantage, but he does compensate with incredibly quick hands. His 3.7% steals % was the top mark in the ACC and top 70 in the nation. He uses these steals to push in transition, leading to easy buckets for his teammates. With that said, Moore does have a tendency to gamble on the perimeter, which can put his defense at a disadvantage. He closes out hard on shooters, but most guys can shoot over the top of him. Ultimately, scouts will be looking at how he runs the show, his pick and roll effectiveness, and his ability to create turnovers.
Alex Barcello, BYU - Barcello is one of the best pure shooters at this event. While he is not the best vertical athlete, the 6'2 lead guard is capable of getting his shot anytime he wants. Barcello sports an impressive handle, which he uses to get defenders off balance, before stepping back for fadeaway threes. He connects on a high percentage of these difficult shots and shot 41.3% from 3pt range, with a notable degree of difficulty on his shot selection. Barcello's stroke is extremely impressive. If defenses overplay him, he can step through into the midrange and connect on a jumper or take the ball all the way to the rim. When attacking the basket, Barcello sports a very reliable floater, or he takes the ball all the way to the rim, employing good body control to shield the ball. While Barcello's crossover gets defenders off balance, he is just as effective moving without the ball. Barcello does a nice job of curling to open spots on the floor, faking his man out and enabling him to get easy 3pt looks. He will basket cut and then abruptly retreat back to the 3pt line on in bounds plays, for example. Barcello has good hangtime and craftiness at the rim, though he will likely struggle to produce the same results against lengthy, physical athletes. All in all, though, Barcello drew 4.5 fouls per 40 minutes (according to kenpom.com) and was aggressive when going downhill. Despite his average first step, Barcello projects as a good pick and roll option at the next level, due to the threat of his shot and his willingness to feed teammates. Barcello does a nice job running the show and teams will examine how he operates in pick and roll sets. On the defensive end, Barcello does a decent job closing out on shooters, though his length is not particularly disruptive. While his lateral quickness is okay, Barcello struggles to defend quicker players, as he is not physical enough moving players off their driving angle. Scouts will be looking to see how Barcello shoots, distributes, and defends.
Jamaree Bouyea, San Francisco - Bouyea is probably the best NBA prospect at this event, and he has a chance to secure a late first round selection if he is able to impress here and at the G League Elite/Combine. The lengthy, 6'2 lead guard has made considerable strides as a shooter, connecting on 35.6% of his 3pt attempts. The degree of difficulty on his shots was probably the highest of any player at the PIT, though. He does a nice job of staying on balance on his long range attempts. Most significant is his ability to create space like a pro, leading into his shot. Bouyea possesses a good first step and an elite change of pace/change of direction capability. He can finish with either hand at the 'cup', or opt for a floater in the lane. Bouyea's step back 3pt jumper is extremely deadly and practically unguardable at the college level. Bouyea thrives out in transition, where he is easily able to blow by one or two men and get to the basket. He also is a capable distributor, looking to teammates along the perimeter for easy looks or feeding the ball inside. With that said, when Bouyea decides he is going to go downhill and attack the rim, he does at times settle for some bad shots when defenses inevitably converge on him. With better spacing, it will be difficult to contain Bouyea off the bounce. Scouts will be looking to see how he executes half court P&R sets, and whether or not he can hit a high percentage of his three point attempts on better shot selection. Bouyea is also a really good rebounding guard, and he turns these boards on the defensive glass into transition opportunities. On the defensive end, Bouyea has some of the quickest hands, and does a nice job of contesting without fouling. His 2.9% steals % ranked 5th in the WCC and his 1.6 fouls committed per 40 minutes were the least in conference according to kenpom.com. Bouyea also demonstrated an ability to block shots at the guard spot, despite his size. Ultimately, scouts will look to see if Bouyea can do a better job creating contact, minimizing turnovers, and not get hung up on ball screens defending in pick and roll sets.
Lucas Williamson, Loyola (Chicago) - Williamson is a prototypical 3 & D prospect with a strong slashing ability. Williamson is extremely fundamentally sound, as he moves well without the ball, and makes himself available cutting to the rim. He does a nice job of finding holes in the defense and exploiting them, either flashing out on the perimeter or darting to the hoop. When he gets the ball, Williamson utilizes the threat of his shot to keep defenders off balance. He connected on 38.7% of his three point attempts this season, and he has shown notable progression creating separation for a stepback shot, despite the fact that he is still most efficient with his feet set coming off the catch or pulling up on balance. Williamson is an opportunistic scorer and will step in and connect from the midrange when he is run off the line. Importantly, though his first step is not blazingly quick, Williamson is a very good slasher, who does an excellent job finishing through contact at the rim or shooting on the move. He is adept driving either right or left and also will back down his man before connecting on a fadeaway or kicking back out to a teammate. In terms of his passing ability, Williamson does not force the action and regularly drives and kicks to open teammates along the perimeter. Scouts will look to see if he can operate with a big up top in pick and roll situations. On the defensive end, Williamson is a ball hawk who can physically compete with bigger players. He does a nice job of stepping in front of his man and directing him away from the basket. Given his aggressive defensive play, his 2.6 fouls committed per 40 mins (according to kenpom.com) is actually rather impressive. Williamson is laterally quick and disruptive in the passing lanes. He also has excellent hands, as attested to by his 2.6% steals % (15th best in the Missouri Valley). Scouts will look to see how well he competes attacking the basket and defending against lengthier wings at the PIT.
Taz Sherman, West Virginia - Taz Sherman is a rhythm shooter who utilizes his advanced handle to shake his defender and score on three levels. Importantly, while he does not have a blazing first step, Sherman has nimble feet and the handle to get anywhere he wants to on the floor, stopping and raising up at his discretion. Sherman is predominantly a rhythm jump shooter, who dribbles into his shot either from the midrange or beyond the 3pt arc. His favorite move is a dribble step back into a leaning fadeaway jumper, and this move is very difficult to defend. Sherman is also a streaky, but effective three point shooter, who connected on 34.6% of his attempts this past season. Sherman's range extends well beyond NBA range, and he attempted some difficult long range shots, as many Big 12 defenses were geared towards slowing him down. When he drives the ball to the rim, Sherman employs a nice runner or attacks the rim, doing a nice job of drawing contact, with 4.8 fouls drawn per 40 minutes according to kenpom.com. While he is not the best vertical athlete, he can hang in the air and finish through contact, an inevitability for a Bob Huggins coached player. Sherman also became more of a facilitator this season, driving and kicking the ball to open teammates on the wing or just inside the arc. He moved the ball well at times and shows some promise in this area. However, Sherman must cut down on his turnovers, particularly in transition, where he often looks to go 1-on-3 and score before the defense gets set. Scouts will be evaluating his decision making and his efficiency from beyond the arc. On the defensive end, Sherman has decent lateral quickness and good hands, but he has a tendency to get hung up on ball screens, leading to uncontested three pointers. Overall, Sherman competes on this end and will look to demonstrate that he can slow down the more talented wings at the PIT.
