Darryn Peterson
- Off-ball scoring: Combined 66-of-129 (51%) between spot-ups/off-screen offense/handoffs
- -This is a good sign that he’s able to score in so many ways without needing a high-volume creation workload. Suggests he should be able to fit in quickly and alongside any type of point guard.
- Rim pressure: 53 total attempts at rim, just 53.8 percent on layups and he’s missed 3-of-11 dunks
- Injury related? Spacing related? Over-confidence in perimeter shotmaking? Regardless, he’s making 1.68 shots at the rim this year. In comparison Dybantsa makes between 4-5, Anthony Edwards averaged 3.0.
AJ Dybantsa
- Strong two-point scoring efficiency/volume: 4.7 FGM at rim, 36 dunks, 40% floaters, 52% mid-range jumpers
- Consistently earns himself high-percentage looks on drives, post-ups, ISOs
- Super low defensive playmaking rates relative to tools/athleticism: 1.8 STL&, 1.2 BLK%
- Ugly list of wing prospects who finished below 2.0 in both STL, BLKs. Best players on it: Barrett, Harrison Barnes, Braun and shooters Trey Murphy, Herro, Grimes, Bane, Hardaway, Jamal Murray
Cam Boozer
- 40% on 109 3PTA, 78% FTs
- Shooting exceeded expectations. He went from showing shooting potential to being a reliable shooter from age 16 to 18. Not that he needs a life jacket but the shooting keeps him afloat and valuable even if the other stuff doesn’t translate as well
- 2.2 BLK%
- Really the only stat that’s below standard. Will probably measure closer to 6-8 in socks and scare some team worried about size for a player who likes to use his body inside
Caleb Wilson
- 18% AST and 19 possessions as a transition ball-handler
- Obviously the athleticism and high dunk rate are Wilson’s signatures but I love the flashes of passing and handling. Can create for himself in open floor or use dribble/vision to create for others.
- 17-48 on drives, 53% on layups
- Hasn’t shown great feel or touch finishing self-created drives in traffic. Could be problematic when projecting upside if he remains a below-average 3PT shooter
Kingston Flemings
- 44% two-point jumpers on high volume
- Mid-range is a bad shot if you’re not great at it. Very valuable shot if you can consistent create and make it. Flemings has easy ability to separate around the key where he’s actually shooting 48% on jumpers inside 17 feet
- .288 Free-throw rate, only 2 made floaters, 56% at rim
- Questionable burst exploding to rim mixed with no floater game could be problematic. One of the reasons he takes so many 2PT pull-ups
Keaton Wagler
- 37 pullup 3s, 36 spot-up 3s, both over 40%
- Diverse shotmaker with deep range, efficient execution over the course of the season. Makes him interchangeable
- 1 dunk attempt, 39% FG on drives
- Lack of explosion biggest reason why teams may be hesitant. Uses body well but still no real blow-by jets or verticality.
Mikel Brown
- 30% AST
- Brown can be reckless and erratic with his shot selection and scoring so it’s comforting to see a high playmaking rate.
- Nine games under 35% FG + 2-11 on floaters for the season
- I like the 14.6 3PA/per 100 possessions, but relying so heavily on deep ball has made him hit or miss this season. Not the most diverse/versatility shot bag
- Rare to find an elite PG who has no float game
Darius Acuff Jr.
- 32 %AST to 9.9% TO
- Thought he was mostly a scoring ball-handler at IMG. Comforting to know he has the right mindset/IQ to run offense, set the table
- 1.2 %STL, 5% REB,
- List of PGs or combo ball-handlers drafted with a STL% as low as Acuff’s: Brandon Knight, Reggie Jackson. He will struggle defensively, but the bigger fear is the lack of D-playmaking highlights physical/athletic limitations that will really restrict him offensively as well
Labaron Philon
- 30 made pull-ups 3s (36%), 47% FG floaters, 67% layups
- Much better this year converting off his own dribble from 3 levels. Gets to spots around the paint, but now also has the pull-up to keep defenders honest
- 31% FG out of spot-ups, 22% catch-and-shoot when guard
- He’s a scoring, ball-dominant handler who doesn’t offer much value off ball.
Christian Anderson
- 43% pullup 3s, 43% catch-shoot 3s, 80% FT
- Very convincing shooting prospect, important for a 178-pound ball-handler
- 87 rim attempts, .28 FTR
- Lacks size, strength, explosion for earning easy baskets and FT attempts. Projected top freshmen PGs (minus Mikel) got to the rim 150-220 times
Nate Ament
- 40% pull-ups
- Not the cleanest shot-creator, but the height and shotmaking skill to just rise up whenever he wants for uncontested looks is an advantage creator. Good to see him make these at a promising rate
- 46% on layups, 40% FG on drives
- Minimal explosion, both turning corner and at the rim. Buckles against tough challenges. Will really need to be a plus/reliable shotmaker if this issue continues
Aday Mara
- Rare combo stat: 12% BLK, 19% AST, 50+ dunks
- 3 areas that should be translatable and create unique value from the 5 position
- 19% TO on 22.5% Usage + 53% FT
- Aside from being switchable, the clumsiness/decision-making and brutal FT shooting could make Mara difficult to play against certain lineups or in late-game situations
Karim Lopez
- 12PPG, 6 RPG, 2 APG 1 BLG, 1 SPG
- Production! Consistent contributor at 18 years old in pro league. The flashes of ball-handling and shotmaking tease upside, but the production in the NBL (for a strong 6-9 forward) suggests high floor
- 16 driving attempts, 9-of-27 on pull-up jumpers
- Not explosive attacking, not a real threat to make shots off his own dribble. Shows flashes,
Koa Peat
- 18% AST + 41 dunks
- IQ shows on passing and positioning. Not really a playmaker or explosive athlete, but manages to pick up assists and easy baskets. Think time to adjust vision of Peat as more of a glue guy/high-end role player rather than go-to scoring option
- 16-42 2PT jumpers, 6-19 3PT
- Loves mid-range but isn’t too efficient there. Clearly limited shooting range. Potential issue if he winds up measuring around 6’7″
jwscouting.com 