Ming Sun-Yop

Strengths: Has a world of talent especially for a 1987 prospect...A 7-footer with a beautiful outside stroke. And unlike most three point shooters, he does not tend to drift around three point territory; likes to move off the ball and free himself for open looks, making use of screens and double teams...Never seems to get nervous. A very lax player, in his case for the better, with good concentration and never really gets fazed by defenses, hits every shot with the same release point and stroke...Decent athleticism, great for a Chinese player but fairly strong for the NBA level as well. Possesses decent ballhandling skills, mobility, and a solid first step which can beat most big men to the basket...Capable of finishing strong once he attacks the basket...Solid but underutilized post game, has some jump hooks and back-down moves which can beat some post defenses...Great anticipation skills. Seems to play wing players better than big men, as he possessses good hands to swipe the ball away from others leading to steals...Solid off-the-ball defender and decent on-the-ball perimeter defender...Has many potential guard skills which is rare to see in a big man, including footspeed, mobility, ballhandling, shooting etc...May be a solid triple-threat player and a potential two-way player at the next level with his polished offensive game and good skill set...Great potential...

Weaknesses: Offensive game is a bit mechanical. He always seems to go to the same moves, mostly spotting up from three point land with a small chance of attacking the basket...Most of his game looks paced, he certainly is not the fastest player and he is rather mechanical in his ballhandling ability, dribbling at the same rate and not really being tested to use his weaker left hand or change his dribble...Abuses the three point shot currently. Has developed his post game and attack-the-basket game but rarely defers to them, needs to use them more and diversify his offense...Not an athletic freak, but has more than enough and is especially decent for a 7-footer...Has been chastised for being "soft" in the past because he refuses to bang in the paint...One of his major weaknesses is his lack of strength and weight. That affects every part of his game and gives doubts to many people about his effectiveness at the center position. He will get abused by NBA centers in the low post if he moves there, and his post defense and big-man defense is below average...Also affects his rebounding. Not a good rebounder at all, preferring to hang around the perimeter rather than bang in the paint...Has good mechanics and stroke on his three pointer, but only shoots around 36% from the area although he has great potential to improve...Does not seem to play like a big man which may spur problems to give him a defined position at the next level...Not much of an intimidator (poor shotblocking skills) or lockdown defender, more of a pesky "rover" type...People have complained that he also has a lax work ethic, but he has shown solid improvement and that is just a part of his paced style...

Notes: One of China's best young prospects to come ever since Yao Ming. People have lauded the shooting touch of China's bigs, but many have said that Ming Sun-Yop's athleticism and three point shooting ability may make him a more versatile prospect than Yao. Ho Mingzong, Sun-Yop's basketball coach, does not want Ming to leave, but he understands that Ming needs better competition and is willing to accept it.

Strengths: A big man with marvelous range and shooting ability...Loves the three point shot...However, the rest of his game should not be underestimated especially with his decent attack the basket skills and solid nifty moves from the post...Good at wreaking havoc in the perimeter at the defensive end...Possesses good versatility...Game comes naturally to him, never really forces anything and gets things done effortlessly...

Weaknesses: Has been chastised as a soft player which spurs from his lack of weight and his reluctance to go anywhere near the painted area at times...Rarely block shots, grabs rebounds, etc., rather is a big man who prefers facing the basket...Needs to use his decent athleticism more often...Good at self-improvement, but because of his seemingly calm demeanor he may have trouble being coached by coaches...Takes too many three point shots...A bit robust, mechanical in his game, very fluid, but not explosive...

Ming Sun-Yop has decent shooting skills and a solid offensive game which is on par with many players in the NBA. He always seems relaxed, never forces anything, and the game looks so easy to him. Seems to know his spots on the floor and spot-up with his fluid mechanics at the ready. Although he's a poor rebounder and plays more like a shooting guard than a big man, it's rare to see these qualities in bigs anyhow and that will certainly draw the attention of NBA scouts. He may be a bit undeveloped and soft at this stage, but he will be given many chances to improve. He will definitely have his chance at the NBA.