I’ll try to do these every 2-3 days on a player I focused on during a game or 2. This was not completely typed by me I had the ideas and wrote out about 7 paragraphs of awful writing and has chat gpt give me a layout. Hope you enjoy!
Brice Sensabaugh is a bucket getter, plain and simple. At 6’6” and 235 pounds, he brings a powerful frame and a smooth scoring touch to the wing position. He can score from pretty much anywhere at the rim, in the midrange, and beyond the arc. Back in college, he shot an efficient 48% from the field, 40% from deep, and 83% from the line while putting up 16.3 points per game. That scoring knack translated to the G League too, where he averaged 19.1 points with 47.2% shooting overall and 37.7% from three. His offensive profile draws natural comparisons to Norman Powel a reliable, versatile scorer who thrives as a second or third option.
Elite Catch and Shoot Ability
One of the standout parts of Sensabaugh’s game is how deadly he is spotting up. He’s not just a one on one scorer he’s one of the best catch and shoot threats in his class. During Summer League, he hovered around 40% from three, showing real promise as an off-ball weapon. If he wants to carve out a Powell like role in the NBA, this kind of floor-spacing is key.
Self-Creation is There, But Playmaking Isn’t
He has enough handle and strength to create shots for himself, especially when matched up against smaller defenders. That said, passing isn’t a big part of his game. He typically averages 1 3 assists but also turns the ball over 3 4 times a night. Like Powell, he’s more of a scorer than a playmaker and that’s fine, as long as he embraces that role.
Big Build, Big Presence
Sensabaugh’s thick frame lets him hold his own in traffic and punish smaller wings in the post. He doesn’t rely on finesse he uses his body to create space and finish plays. This physicality helps him score in the midrange and around the basket, and it’s a big part of why the Powell comparison fits so well.
Defensive Concerns Are Real
Here’s where the red flags come in. Sensabaugh’s defense has been spotty, to say the least. He struggles with foot speed, especially on closeouts and off ball rotations. In Summer League, he was often called a non-factor defensively and at times, even a liability. If he can’t become at least an average defender, he risks slipping into Jarrett Culver territory: a talented offensive player who couldn’t stick due to defensive flaws.
Encouraging Shooting Growth
One major positive? His three point shooting took a real leap this season. After the All-Star break, he was hitting 42% of his threes, taking most of them off the catch. Fans and scouts alike noticed the change it was enough to make people rethink what his long term potential might be. He’s not just a theoretical scorer anymore he’s putting the results on tape.
Best Case Scenario: Norman Powell
If Sensabaugh can tighten up on defense and take care of the ball, he could become a true 3 and D wing with scoring punch off the bench exactly the kind of player Powell became. Someone who can hit threes, attack closeouts, and provide a scoring boost in the right matchups. That’s a valuable piece on any team.
Worst-Case Scenario: Jarrett Culver
But if the defense never comes around, and if he keeps coughing the ball up when asked to create, the downside is real. Like Culver, he could struggle to find a consistent role, especially if his offense isn’t strong enough to outweigh his defensive lapses.
What He Needs to Improve
To hit his ceiling, Sensabaugh has to commit to a role change. Scouts say he needs to stop trying to be a ball dominant scorer and instead focus on being a movement shooter and capable defender. That means cutting down the midrange isolations, upping his defensive motor, and improving his lateral quickness. If he buys into that, he’ll have a clear NBA path.
Final Takeaway
Brice Sensabaugh has the scoring chops, size, and shooting touch to stick in the league. His recent jump in three point efficiency is especially promising. But unless he shores up his defense and starts playing within a defined role, he’ll always be closer to Jarrett Culver than Norman Powell. His future depends on how willing he is to adapt.
Bottom Line: Sensabaugh is a gifted scorer with real offensive upside. If he can round out the rest of his game, especially on defense, he has a chance to be a steady 3 and D wing in the mold of Norman Powell. But if not, he risks fading out like so many talented scorers who couldn’t figure out the other side of the ball.