When we're talking about elite level scorers, we usually want them to be very versatile, as the more options you have, the more ways you can consistently punish a defense. When discussing these kinds of versatile scorers that can kill from just about anywhere on the floor, a term three-level scoring has been used, referring to those who shoot threes, those who shoot mid rangers, and those who get to the rim. It's true that if you do all three of these things, you're likely to be a pretty dang good player. But when evaluating NBA draft prospects, I don't think we should be labeling guys three-level scorers, because the three areas we've just mentioned are not actually the only way to score points.

Credit to HoopStudy (which is a basketball training Youtube channel) for enlightening me on this. In modern basketball, there are about six levels of scoring.

The first is straight at the rim scoring (think Ja Morant or Zion Williamson penetrating and dunking).

The second is outside of the restricted area, in the paint area but not quite at the rim. These are the places guys usually shoot short mid range jumpers, floaters, runners, touch kind of shots. Think of a smaller guard who maybe can't get all the way to the rim due to size so has to shoot a floater in a pick and roll situation, like Trae Young.

The third level of scoring is straight mid rangers. Maybe the most inefficient shot in basketball, but if mastered, can be pretty dang lethal (see Chris Paul).

The fourth level is three point shooting, right on the line. Involves catch and shoot, shooting off of pick and rolls, shooting off of movement, etc. If you can get good at this it's obviously one of the most efficient shots in basketball.

The fifth level of scoring is deep range three point shots, or four pointers. A rare skill but one that is captivating and can really boost your team if you're efficient shooting those shots (Dame, Steph, Caitlin Clark).

And then the sixth is one that should have been implemented to three-level scoring all this time, free throws. Free throws are singlehandedly the most efficient shot in basketball. If you get two free throws and you're an 80% free throw shooter, that's 1.6 points per possession, which is significantly more efficient than any shot you will get (besides wide open ones). Guys who can draw fouls easily add points to their scoring resumes.

Now, when thinking about this in draft terms, it really depends on the prospect which shots to master. Maybe you want a guy like Tyler Kolek mastering that second level, and then hitting the fourth and sixth levels enough to be a scoring threat. Or you want a guy like Jakobe Walter to learn how to generate more rim pressure. It depends on the player. But when dissecting if a prospect is truly a versatile scorer, you have to look at whether he can score at all six levels.