Big Board Rankings

Strengths

• "Elite physical profile and ideal defensive versatility. Has the strength (234 pounds) and standing reach (9-1.5) to slide all the way up to the center spot in small lineups. Explosive above the rim in space. Light on his feet. Long arms (7-2 wingspan)

• big hands. Has the tools to check either forward spot in the NBA while also switching onto the perimeter."

• "Pick-and-roll upside: He can roll and finish with athleticism or put the ball on the floor and get to the rim."

• "Active rim runner in transition. He can also pull down rebounds and sprint ahead with the ball himself."

• "Good rebounder

• and he’s especially active on the offensive glass."

• "Athletic defender who makes plays in the passing lanes as a mobile helper. With his length and strength

• he could develop into a rim protector in smaller lineups."

• "High defensive potential thanks to his physical measurements and quickness

• but his fundamentals and discipline must improve."

• "Strong presence around the rim as a shot-blocker and rim-runner; capable of finishing around the rim with soft touch and boundless athleticism as a lob-finisher"

• "Versatile defender with high IQ; can defend multiple positions and has good mobility and effort

• allowing him to guard in the paint all the way out to the perimeter"

• "Good rebounder; ranked top five among AAC players in league play in both offensive rebounding and defensive rebounding rate"

Areas to Improve

• "Feel for the game is a major work in progress. Tunnel vision with the ball in his hands. Can handle in space but rigid with the ball in traffic. Settles for contested midrange jumpers. Finished the season with 30 assists and 87 turnovers. Has improved but didn''t always want to accept his role as an energy defender."

• "Turnover prone: He doesn’t read defenses well and often forces shots or drives into a sea of defenders. In the pick-and-roll

• he needs to master the short roll pass."

• "Poor shooting touch: He shot 60 percent from the line

• 26 percent on floaters

• and 30 percent on jumpers. With shaky lower-body mechanics

• there’s a lot of work to be done to make him passable at the pro level."

• "Struggles with inconsistency as a defender. His footwork hinders his ability to slide and stay in front of quicker players

• but it’s fixable."

• "Average shooter with concerns about how his offense will develop and translate in the NBA; shot just 60% from the free throw line and 32.5% from 3 at Memphis"

• "One-dimensional offensive player because of his shooting

• and he struggles with the ball in his hands as a dribbler and decision-maker (averaged 2.8 turnovers to 1.0 assists in college)"

Traits

Scouting Sources

"Mike Schmitz", "Kevin O''Conner", "CBS Sports"