Justin Jackson NBA Draft Profile

Justin Jackson was one of the most improved players in the nation from his sophomore to junior season. Jackson was named ACC Player of the Year and was a key piece in getting North Carolina back to the championship game to earn redemption from their defeat the previous season. He tested the NBA Draft waters last year and returned to school after being informed of what needed to be refined within his game. Jackson made a substantial leap offensively, scoring 18.3 points per game, up from 12.2 the year before. He also elevated his three-point shooting from 29% as a sophomore to 37% on seven attempts per game this season. Jackson isn’t a great athlete and has a thin frame relative to his height, but his skill level and basketball IQ help outweigh his shortcomings. Standing 6-8 with a 6-11 wingspan, Jackson has good measurables for a small forward, but he needs to add bulk to his 200 lb. frame. With his impressive feel for the game and experience at age 22, Jackson should be able to contribute right away in the NBA.

Where Jackson will be relied on the most is with his outside shooting. He shot just 29.7% from three on 212 attempts in his first two seasons at North Carolina. This season though, Jackson shot an efficient 37% on 284 attempts. Jackson is an especially skilled shooter off the catch, using his quick release and sound footwork. He works hard off the ball, running around screens and relocating himself to create open shot opportunities. He has legitimate NBA range on his threes, but there is reason to question if his shooting surge will continue to the next level. Teams won’t forget his shooting struggles during his first two collegiate seasons, and he still had stretches of cold shooting as a junior. Jackson only shot 30% from three throughout March and April, including going 0-for-9 in the championship game.

A major area where Jackson needs to improve upon is his ability to create offense for himself. He is capable of hitting a pull-up jumper in a pick-and-roll scenario, but he isn’t very adept at scoring in one-on-one situations. Jackson has a relatively poor handle and a slow first step, limiting his ability to get to the rim. The best way North Carolina was able to get him inside was by coming off screens and catching passes as he curled into the paint. Once he does get into the paint, Jackson avoids contact at almost any cost. Most times, Jackson is forced to rely on floaters and tough mid-range pull-ups. He is an expert with his floater, hitting them at a high rate using either hand. However, that shot will be much tougher to hit consistently against the length of NBA big men.

Despite his flaws, Jackson should still be a solid contributor in the NBA thanks to his high basketball IQ. He moves the ball well within an offense and doesn’t make many mistakes, as he had 312 assists to just 164 turnovers in his college career. He uses his height to see over the defense and makes impressive passes with ease. Jackson also has improved defensively quite a bit. He doesn’t have great lateral quickness, but he’s consistently dialed in defending the perimeter and uses his length to contest jumpers. He will need to add strength to be able to check the bigger forwards in the NBA. Jackson is a poor defensive rebounder, grabbing just 3.2 boards per game on the defensive end. He’ll need to mix it up a bit more in the paint to be an impactful defender.

Justin Jackson certainly improved his stock as an NBA prospect during his junior season. Jackson still has numerous questions about his game at the next level, but his feel for the game should help him have a sustained NBA career. The improvement of his jump shot needs to carry over for him to have a useful role offensively. He also needs to add some strength to survive against NBA forwards. Jackson has the size at 6-8 to be used as a stretch four, but he won’t be much of a factor there without some added bulk. Jackson has a relatively safe floor as long as his jumper translates, but his lack of high upside may keep him in the back half of the first round.

Bam Adebayo NBA Draft Profile

Edrice “Bam” Adebayo had a highly productive season at Kentucky, scoring 13 points per game on 60% shooting from the field. Adebayo is a raw prospect who is slightly undersized as a true center at just 6-10. He does have good length with a 7-3 wingspan and a beastly physical profile at nearly 250 lbs. NBA teams will likely see him as a high energy reserve big man that can play a role in the league on limited minutes.

Adebayo’s offensive production wasn’t diversified at Kentucky. He scores essentially all of his field goals at the rim, most of which come on emphatic dunks. He’s mobile for a center and the Kentucky guards were always looking to throw him lobs in transition. Adebayo can be used as a roll man on screens, where he’s quick off the floor for easy finishes. Another large chunk of his production comes from his work on the offensive glass, which may be his best NBA trait. He grabbed 3.1 offensive boards per game, often tipping the ball back in on his first jump. Adebayo isn’t as skilled at grabbing the ball and coming down with it. He doesn’t have good touch on follow-up shots and was subject to bringing the ball down, leading to turnovers.

With Adebayo being undersized at 6-10, teams will have to consider how his game will translate to the bigger, faster NBA. He relied mostly on his strength in college, scoring on dunks and getting to the free-throw line. However, when facing NBA centers he likely won’t be able to simply over-power his way to the rim. He has a low skill level and his feel for the game isn’t very refined. His post-game is extremely raw. He has poor footwork and no touch on his hook shots. He wants to do nothing except turn to his left shoulder and throw up a right-hand shot and defenses can easily sit on that. Where he does show some promise is with his jump shot, which isn’t completely broken. He didn’t display any ability to hit jumpers at Kentucky, but he did shoot a decent 65.3% from the free-throw line. Developing into a mid-range shooter would be huge for his offensive output at the next level.

Adebayo has potential to be a useful defender in the NBA, but he needs to become more focused and improve his motor on that end of the floor. He has the strength to defend post players and is also mobile enough to contain the perimeter. He does have the length to possibly be a rim protector, but his reach is average and he will need better awareness to be a reliable shot blocker. He also lacks the awareness to be a strong defensive rebounder, which could cost him playing time. He only grabbed 4.9 defensive rebounds per game, which is one of the worst numbers among big men in the draft.

Bam Adebayo likely projects as nothing more than a high-energy big man off the bench in the NBA. His offense doesn’t have many aspects to it and his reliance on his strength won’t work as well at the next level. Adebayo is a raw player who lacks a degree of skill that’s necessary to last in the NBA. If he’s able to add some consistency and awareness to his game, then he could be able to use his strong frame to his advantage. He should be able to immediately contribute with his offensive rebounding, but needs to improve his touch around the rim. Adebayo’s lack of height could restrict his upside and he’ll likely be a second round selection that a team will hope to further develop.

Lauri Markkanen NBA Draft Profile

Lauri Markkanen could have been a relatively unknown international prospect a year ago but decided to attend Arizona to showcase his skills. His choice to play college basketball payed off as he grew into a top ten NBA Draft prospect. The Finland native is a unique seven-footer who is fluid on his feet and has a beautiful shooting stroke. At just 20 years old, Markkanen already has an excellent understanding for the game and should be able to immediately contribute offensively. NBA teams will love Markkanen’s potential as a stretch four at the next level.

Markkanen’s superb offensive game begins and ends with his jump shot. He hit 42.3% of his threes on 4.4 attempts per game. Markkanen has a textbook shooting stroke, getting his shot off quickly with no wasted motion. Much more than just a stand-still shooter, he can get his jumper off in just about every area of the game. He’s at his best when shooting off the catch, but is capable of dribbling into a pull-up. Markkanen is excellent at moving off-ball, positioning himself for easy, open shots. He can also be used in ball screens as a pick and pop weapon. Markkanen is comfortable attacking closeouts as well, where he can put the ball on the floor and dribble into a mid-range fade-away. He isn’t a polished playmaker with less than one assist per game, but he’s a smart player within an offense and doesn’t turn it over at high rate.

For as lethal as Markkanen can be as a jump shooter, he will need to improve his offensive versatility. He’s a decent athlete but lacks NBA-caliber strength and explosiveness. He will need to improve his toughness and quickness so he can spend some time playing in the mid-to-low post. He does have some face-up potential, but he’s best at getting to the rim when he already has a head of steam. His lack of length shows up around the rim as he doesn’t finish well in traffic. There is a concern that he plays too much like a guard in a seven-footer’s body. College defenses would often be content switching smaller players onto Markkanen as he doesn’t thrive in one-on-one situations and doesn’t have the post-game to make them pay. He did snag 2.4 offensive rebounds per game and averaged 4.4 FTA per game, so he does show potential to contribute in different ways on offense.

Defensively, Markkanen has a bit more work to do to make an impact at the next level. Being seven feet tall, Markkanen will be expected to protect the rim, which he isn’t capable of yet. He has average length and isn’t a great leaper which compromises his potential to be a rim protector and also dampers his ability to rebound well. He does have solid footwork and instincts to hold his own on the perimeter which will be necessary as he projects to play a lot of power forward. He lacks the strength to defend the post and gives up a lot of space in the paint, which will impede his ability to play as a stretch center.

Lauri Markkanen is a seven-footer with rare shooting ability who should fit perfectly in an NBA offense. He has a strong understanding of the game and is polished for someone his age. Markkanen will need to expand his game to avoid becoming a one-dimensional player. He will draw comparisons to Dirk Nowitzki, but he must develop his mid-post game to even come close to playing at that level. Markkanen will also need to make an impact defensively to stay on the floor. He has the game of a stretch power forward, but at seven-feet tall, teams will want him to spend some time at center. He needs to add strength to his frame to survive in the post at the next level. In any event, Markkanen should have the shooting ability to stick in the league for a long time.

Zach Collins NBA Draft Profile

Zach Collins used a strong NCAA Tournament performance to solidify himself as a lottery-caliber draft prospect. As part of a crowded and experienced front-court at Gonzaga, he didn’t start a single game and averaged just 17.3 minutes per game. Despite the limited playing time, Collins still had outstanding per-40 minute numbers. Standing seven feet tall, he has excellent size for a power forward and could easily slide to center once he adds some more bulk to his frame. Collins is still a raw player, but has potential to be a versatile asset in the NBA on both ends of the floor.

Collins’ size and athleticism is what established him as an NBA prospect. He is a legitimate seven-footer and has impressive mobility for his size. He runs the floor well and can finish above the rim in the open floor. In the half-court, Collins isn’t advanced in any one area but shows potential in just about every aspect of the game. He compiles most of his offensive production on easy buckets at the rim. He gets behind the defense in transition, rolls off of screens and positions himself for lob opportunities. He’s a quick leaper and has reliable hands which helped him finish 67.2% of his field goals inside the arc.

Where Collins can become a significant weapon is with his offensive versatility. He’s not a reliable jump shooter yet, but he did go 10-21 from three at Gonzaga. He also shot a modest 74.3% from the free-throw line, displaying a promising shooting stroke. He will need to work on speeding up his release and gaining more confidence in his shot. With his size, Collins will also be expected to do some work in the post, where he showed flashes. He was able to get to his spots and hit simple post shots, but scouts will be concerned about the level of his competition. In order for him to become a consistent big man in the NBA, Collins will need to add strength to survive in the paint. He has just average length for his size as well, which can make it difficult for him to score over the top. It would also be beneficial for Collins to improve his decision making. With his reduced playing time, he lacks maturity and is still developing his feel for the game, as he had just 16 assists compared to 60 turnovers.

Where Collins can also make his presence felt is on the defensive end of the floor. He averaged 1.8 blocks per game, which translates to 4.1 per 40 minutes. He doesn’t have elite length for his size but with 18 total blocks in the NCAA Tournament, he showcased his ability to protect the rim. Collins will need to add strength to defend the post, especially if he is used as a center. Collins does have the mobility to step out and defend ball screens, a key skill in today’s perimeter-oriented NBA. He was a tremendous rebounder at Gonzaga as well. He grabbed 13.6 boards per 40 minutes, displaying the ability to box out and chase down loose balls. He is still quite undisciplined on defense, consistently getting in foul trouble. This really hurt the Zags in the championship game, as he fouled out in just 14 minutes played.

Zach Collins has unquestionable potential on both ends of the floor, but he still lacks seasoning and experience. He possesses serious size for an NBA big and his ability to stretch the floor is highly coveted in the league today. Collins didn’t shoot many deep jumpers, but his shot will unlock his full potential on offense. Defensively, Collins has the versatility to protect the rim while also being able to slide his feet along the perimeter. With Gonzaga playing in the West Coast Conference, teams will have to determine if Collins’ productivity in limited playing time will translate against NBA athletes. His strong showings in the Final Four will be valuable for Collins, and he may hear his name called in the lottery on draft night.

Jordan Bell NBA Draft Profile

Jordan Bell soared up draft boards following his excellent performance in the NCAA Tournament. Bell averaged 12.6 points, 13.2 rebounds and 3.2 blocks during Oregon’s run to the Final Four. His biggest strength is his outstanding defense, as he was named Pac-12 Defensive Player of the Year. Bell is undersized for a center at just 6-9, which will likely hurt his draft stock. Teams today are always looking for the next Draymond Green, and Bell might just fit that profile as a versatile defender that can be found later in the draft.

Bell makes up for his lack of ideal size with his athleticism, instincts and high motor. He always seems to put himself in the right position to make a play on shot attempts around the rim. He rotates extremely well and uses his 7-foot wingspan to collect blocks with his help-side defense. Bell has valuable defensive versatility with his ability to defend the perimeter as well. He has good lateral quickness for a big man and can switch screens, which is a key skill in today’s NBA. Bell projects best as a small-ball center, but he has an average frame for a center and can be bullied in the post by bigger NBA players. He’s a tremendous rebounder and is always active on the glass, but his size can hinder his rebounding ability. This really showed up as he missed two crucial defensive box-outs on free throws in the Final Four contest against North Carolina.

Offensively, Bell doesn’t have as much to offer yet from an NBA perspective. He is mobile and athletic for a center, which makes him a weapon in transition. In the half-court, he mostly just hangs around the baseline, always ready for a back cut or an alley-oop opportunity. Bell is extremely efficient finishing at the rim, as displayed with his 63.6% shooting from the field. He’s also aggressive going for offensive rebounds and is always a threat for a put-back dunk. At the next level, teams will hope to use Bell in screens as a roll man. He projects as a solid finisher off of dives to the rim with his good hands and quick leaping ability. He’s also a solid passer and can make quick decisions on the catch to pass out to shooters.

Bell could become an exceptional player at the next level by expanding his offense. He’s not yet capable of creating his own offense, mostly just scoring off passes to him around the rim. He isn’t a weapon in the post because of his size and lack of advanced post moves. He struggles against legitimate length and doesn’t absorb contact well, averaging only 3.0 FTA per game. He had a high turnover rate, mostly due to his inability to create on the drive or in the post. He does have a decent handle for a big man and has a solid first step that he can use to get to the rim. Bell only made three career threes at Oregon, but did shoot a respectable 70.1% from the foul line. Becoming a mid-range shooting threat would be very beneficial to his game.

Jordan Bell can bring value to the NBA right away with his defensive prowess. Teams will love his ability to protect the rim and also step out and defend the perimeter. Offensively, Bell still has some work to do. He can already score around the rim on opportunities created by others. His size will likely always be a limitation in the low-post, but he can step out and use his quickness as a weapon in the mid-post. If Bell wants to become a legitimate threat in the NBA, he should look to improve his mid-range shooting and driving ability. There will probably never be another Draymond, but Jordan Bell could play a similar role in the NBA.

T.J. Leaf NBA Draft Profile

T.J. Leaf was a well-known high school recruit coming into UCLA along with Lonzo Ball. Leaf wasn’t supposed to be a top NBA prospect as a freshman, but exceeded expectations in his lone season for the Bruins. NBA teams will love Leaf’s ability to stretch the floor as a power forward. Standing 6-10 with a 220 lb. frame, his body might not be ready for the NBA right away, but he already displays a high level of athleticism. He thrived in UCLA’s up-tempo offense and will play a similar role at the next level.

Leaf can be used as a versatile weapon in an NBA offense. He’s a good athlete for his size and runs the floor well. He’s dangerous in transition as he can make himself available for easy buckets at the rim, trail the play for a pull-up three or he can even lead the fast-break himself. His handle isn’t overly advanced, but he has better dribbling ability than most big men his size. He also has impressive vision, notching 2.4 assists per game at UCLA. In the half-court, Leaf is mostly used to space the floor. He is capable of scoring in the post, but needs quite a bit of work to survive down low in the NBA. He’s an efficient scorer, shooting 64.4% from inside the arc. He finishes at the rim with finesse, using his footwork and soft touch. He does struggle against defensive length and inside contact. He will need to add some muscle to his frame to withstand the rigor of the NBA.

Leaf’s most important skill that he will need to carry over to the next level is his outside shooting ability. He hit an impressive 46.6% from downtown at UCLA, but on just 1.7 attempts per game. He only shot 67.9% from the free-throw line, which will be alarming to NBA teams as free-throw shooting removes outside factors from the shooting stroke. If his shot translates, he can used in a variety of ways in an NBA offense. He can hit spot-up threes in transition or off penetration. He can be used in ball screens and fade out for pick and pop opportunities. He’s also capable of attacking closeouts and making a jumper off the dribble. Due to his average strength, it will be crucial for Leaf to stretch the floor with his perimeter game at the power forward position.

Where Leaf will find the hardest time staying on the floor in the NBA is on defense. His lack of strength comes into play here as well, as he is easily scored on in the post. He did average just over one block per game, but with a mediocre 6-11 wingspan, he isn’t likely to be much of a rim protector.  Where teams will expose Leaf the most is in pick and roll defense. He has very poor lateral quickness and is a major liability when forced to defend the perimeter. Leaf was a solid rebounder in college with 8.2 boards per game, but he used his instincts and athleticism more so than physicality or technique which won’t work at the next level. His lack of defensive ability makes it all the more important that he is effective on offense or he will be unplayable.

T.J. Leaf is an exciting prospect in today’s NBA from an offensive perspective. He can run the floor, stretch defenses with his shooting and has good dribbling and passing ability for his size. If Leaf is able to add some strength, he can be of great value as a stretch power forward. However, for as useful as Leaf can be offensively, he can be just as ineffective on the defensive end. If he can prove to be a consistent weapon on offense, then teams will be willing to hide him on defense. However, if Leaf’s jump shot and perimeter game doesn’t carry over to the NBA, he will have a hard time lasting in the league.

John Collins NBA Draft Profile

After a rather anonymous freshman season at Wake Forest, John Collins exploded onto NBA Draft radars early in his sophomore campaign. Collins nearly tripled his scoring average, going from 7.3 points per game all the way to 19.2 per game as a sophomore. His numbers were excellent across the board, shooting 62% from the field while also grabbing 9.8 boards per game and tallying 1.6 blocks per game. His productivity can’t be overstated, as he actually led the entire nation in Player Efficiency Rating. Despite having such an effective season, Collins doesn’t have ideal NBA size and his role at the next level is still to be determined.

Collins’ most polished area of his game is his post-up ability. He has a wide array of moves and excellent footwork that makes him a tough cover once he gets to the low block. Collins can turn over either shoulder to put up a quick hook shot or a short turnaround jumper. He’s at his best with his back to the basket, where he can back down defenders to turn and score over them. He also has a developing face-up game where he’s capable of using jab steps and shot fakes to get to the rim. He does have a limited handle, which makes it tough for him to create his own shot. With the NBA becoming so perimeter oriented, it will be vital for Collins to continue to extend his game away from the post.

One concern NBA teams will have about Collins is deciding what position he plays at the next level. Standing just under 6-10 with an average 6-11 wingspan and 225 lb. frame, Collins doesn’t have great size or length for an NBA center. In two games against North Carolina and Florida State, teams with NBA-caliber length, Collins went a combined 4-11 from the field with just eight total points. He is mobile for a big man, which can be useful as a center in smaller NBA line-ups. He runs the floor well in transition and is a good roll man out of the pick and roll. He finishes at a high rate around the rim with his soft touch. He’s also a quick leaper and finishes through contact, getting to the free throw line 6.7 times per game. He also provides offense with his activity on the offensive boards. Collins is built more like a traditional power forward, but he doesn’t possess the perimeter skills necessary to be a high-impact forward in today’s NBA. He has shown some flashes of a mid-range jumper and shot a promising 74.5% from the free-throw line. Collins will also need to grow as a playmaker for others. He isn’t always willing to pass out of double teams and isn’t a sound decision maker with just 24 career assists in 64 games.

Where Collins struggled the most at Wake Forest was on the defensive end. He displayed poor awareness, consistently getting lost playing off-ball defense. He has poor lateral quickness to defend the perimeter and also lacks the size and length to defend true centers. He can be foul prone at times, often getting over-matched in the post. Despite getting blocks in college with his athleticism, his average length may affect his rim protection ability at the next level against top-notch athletes. Where he should have value defensively is with his work on the glass. He’s active seeking out bodies to box out and aggressive tracking down rebounds outside his area.

John Collins was remarkably efficient during his sophomore season, but it’s not a forgone conclusion that his game will translate to the NBA. He’s seen as a “tweener,” with his game being something between that of a forward or center. He doesn’t have ideal size or length for a center, but it’ll be tough for teams to play him as a power forward if he doesn’t expand his offense or show the ability to defend the perimeter. He will need to develop his game in a few areas – most notably his shooting, passing and defense. Collins improved his game significantly in his second college season, so teams will hope he can continue to improve into the NBA.

Harry Giles NBA Draft Profile

Harry Giles enters the NBA Draft as possibly the biggest mystery as a prospect. Giles has a lengthy and well-known history of leg injuries. He tore his ACL, MCL and meniscus in 2013, tore his other ACL in 2015 and had a third knee surgery in late 2016 which delayed his debut at Duke until mid-December. When he did finally suit up for the Blue Devils, he was very limited with just 11.5 minutes per game. Standing 6-11 with a 7-3 wingspan and a solid 230 lb. frame, Giles certainly has an NBA-caliber profile. However, he may never regain the athleticism that he once possessed to go with that size.

Giles’ best chance at sticking in the NBA is as a high energy center. The best trait that he was able to consistently display at Duke was his high motor. He runs the floor well and makes himself available for transition baskets by running rim-to-rim. His motor showed up the most with his effort on the glass, averaging a whopping 13.3 rebounds per 40 minutes. He’s aggressive seeking out loose balls and is a quick leaper on the boards.

Giles’ energy showed on the defensive end of the floor as well. He was very active on defense and can guard stretch power forwards along with centers. He shows some potential as a rim protector with 2.3 blocks per 40 minutes. If Giles is able to fully regain his agility, he also could be able to hedge or switch on ball screens along the perimeter. However, he still has quite a ways to go with his discipline and defensive fundamentals. Giles was ridiculously foul prone, committing 7.7 fouls per 40 minutes which contributed to his lack of playing time.

On offense may be where Giles has the longest way to go to make an impact at the next level. He was a solid roll man off of ball screens and has the reach to finish above the rim with ease. Giles isn’t able to generate any offense on his own though. The majority of his 45 career college field goals came off passes or rebounds. His basketball IQ isn’t very high due to injuries keeping him off the court. He has sloppy footwork in the post, no ball-handling skills to create his shot and isn’t comfortable making passes. He also doesn’t show much potential to develop a shooting stroke, going just 12-24 from the free-throw line.

Harry Giles will be an incredibly risky draft pick. His lengthy history of leg injuries will certainly scare off many teams. If a team decides to roll the dice on him, they are doing so with the hope that he regains his athleticism from his high school career. Giles does have the size and energy to be a center in the NBA. Even if he is limited to rim running, catching lobs and gathering rebounds, he can be of use at the next level. However, Giles’ ceiling as a pro may always be a mystery if he is never able to stay healthy or become the same player he once was.

Monte Morris NBA Draft Profile

After an exceptional four year career at Iowa State, Monte Morris is headed to the NBA. Morris conducted the Cyclone offense beautifully, leading them to a top 12 offensive efficiency rating and a top five seed in the NCAA Tournament in each of his four seasons. He led the entire NCAA in assist to turnover ratio in three out of four years, is familiar with an NBA-style offense and has solid size for a point guard at 6-3. Morris should be an excellent option for teams looking for a reliable back-up point guard.

Morris’ best skill is his all-around basketball intelligence. He doesn’t have top-notch athleticism and is a thin 175 lbs, but his feel for the game compensates his shortcomings. Morris is a tremendous floor general in constant control of the offense. He creates opportunities for his teammates in all areas of the game. He can manipulate the defense in transition, getting the ball ahead for easy scoring opportunities at the rim. Morris always knows where his teammates will be and can make passes all around court. Out of the pick and roll, Morris can make pocket passes on dives to the rim, pinpoint lobs or whip passes to shooters in the corner. Iowa State ran an NBA-style, fast-paced offense which should help Morris seamlessly convert his game to the next level.

As excellent as he is creating offense for others, Morris will need to become more proficient at creating scoring chances for himself. He’s more crafty than quick and often times is forced to settle for difficult mid-range shots. Despite his 6-3 height, Morris lacks explosiveness and plays mostly below the rim. Once he does get to the rim, he’s easily affected by length and fails to absorb contact, averaging just 2.6 FTA in his college career. With his inability to consistently finish around the rim, it will be crucial for Morris to continue to develop his floater. If he doesn’t develop as a scorer, his playmaking ability could be easily negated by NBA defenses.

Where Morris can become a very valuable pro is with his jump shooting and defense. He has adequate shooting numbers, with a career 38.1% mark from deep. However, he doesn’t take many threes and his shot form needs some work. He cocks the ball back a bit on his follow through and doesn’t always land on balance. He was a good pull-up shooter from mid-range in college, but will need to extend that range in the NBA. Defensively, Morris plays much like he does on offense. He’s more smart than skilled as he used his instincts to tally 1.6 steals per game over his career. However, his average lateral quickness and lack of strength could hamper his defensive potential.

Monte Morris should easily be able to find work in the NBA with his first-class playmaking skills and great instincts. He’s not necessarily an NBA-caliber athlete, but his savviness and all-around basketball IQ will help him at the next level. Being able to develop his scoring ability could be the key to unlocking his full potential. If defenses are forced to respect Morris as a scorer, it will provide him more room to create for others, which he does so well. Morris is a prototypical back-up point guard and could become a reliable starter if he expands his game.

Ivan Rabb NBA Draft Profile

Ivan Rabb’s decision to return to California for his sophomore year did not go as he had hoped. After his freshman season, Rabb was projected as a possible lottery selection. Now, he will likely go closer to the end of the first round, if not later. His points, rebounds and assists totals slightly rose in his return to Cal, but his efficiency decreased considerably. His field goal percentage went from an impressive 61.5% to a disappointing 48.4%. Rabb’s regressions as a sophomore will alarm scouts and his role in today’s NBA is unknown.

Rabb’s most likely use at the next level is as a small-ball center. Standing at 6-10, Rabb has good, but not great size for a center. He has an average frame that he should look to bulk up, as he gets bullied by bigger players in the post. Rabb does have the mobility to be a useful big man at the next level. He’s a good roll man off of screens with great hands to gather passes and creativity to finish around the rim. His mobility also shows up in transition as he runs out ahead of the pack and gets himself easy baskets.

In offensive sets, Rabb spends most of his time in the post. At California, Rabb wasn’t able to play in an NBA-style offense, often playing alongside a seven footer which clogged the paint. Rabb shows good footwork in the post, but lacks the strength and explosiveness necessary to finish at a high rate in the NBA. He does absorb contact well, with six FTA per game. Rabb isn’t much of a jump shooter, but does show some potential to extend his range. He went 8-20 on threes as a sophomore and hit a respectable 66.3% of his free throws. He has a bit of a hitch in his shot and shoots line drives at the rim. To be an offensive threat at the next level, Rabb needs to make defenses respect his shot, at least in the mid-range, to open up the floor for him.

Defensively, Rabb has a ways to go to make an impact in the NBA. His lack of strength shows up in his post defense. Rabb struggles on the perimeter with poor lateral quickness and will be limited to defending centers who can bully him down low. He doesn’t project as a rim protector due to his lack of explosiveness. He does have solid instincts and is a good off-ball defender who is always in the right place. His best skill is his rebounding ability, as he averaged 10.5 boards per game. He actively seeks out loose balls and has the reach to grab rebounds in a wide radius.

Ivan Rabb may have a hard time sticking in the NBA as it’s played today. Many teams have abandoned having two big men on the floor at the same time and are playing smaller. Today’s power forwards can shoot the ball and have defensive versatility. Rabb is built like a traditional power forward, but doesn’t have the perimeter skills to survive as a forward at the next level. He will likely have to play a lot of minutes at center, but he isn’t strong enough to hold his own against NBA big men. If Rabb doesn’t develop as a shooter and defender or doesn’t become stronger in the paint, he may not be able to find a lasting role in the NBA.