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Strengths: Very quick PG who loves to run and finish in transition game...Very dangerous one-on-one
player in transition, has the speed, shiftiness, deceptive strength and great athleticism to finish and get around defenders...Loves
to run the fastbreak primarily by running in the wings, and throws down dunks easily even with his height...Very good finishing
around the basket. Has layups and floaters in his arsenal, both in transition and half-court sets...Acts as a double-utility
player playing at both paces of game. In half-court sets, possesses very good playmaking skills. Likes the paced game in the
sense that he can operate and see cracks in the defense to exploit opportunities for assists...Definitely has the innate passing
ability of a PG...When he puts his mind to it, can act as one of the best passers in the entire nation, getting everyone involved,
leading his teammates to places where they can score, etc. ...Very unselfish at half-court, always willing to relinquish the
ball for better or for worse...Can attack the basket at half-court sets equally as well as he does in transition, just doesn't
utilize that aspect enough...
Weaknesses: Has a set of weaknesses which may be hard to overcome in terms of the NBA...His disappearing
acts have become notorious in Illinois basketball. Tends to get lost within the shuffle of the game, which is a black mark
especially considering that he is the team's starting PG...Often finds himself unable to make an impact consistently over
the course of the game, this could be a mental problem, simply needs to assert himself more...Has solid ballhandling skills,
but it probably needs work for the next level; he often tries to masquerade his lack of superb ballhandling skills...This
shows in his inability to draw defenders. A smart passer, more or less, who possesses court vision but doesn't have the ability
to create for others off the dribble , but only search for others through running plays; however, when he is on a roll, he
starts improving in this area to his credit...Rarely passes in transition game, only acts as a finisher probably due to the
aforementioned ballhandling...Gets assists in bunches, sometimes botches out simple pick-and-roll passings among others when
he's not on top form...Lack of height is an issue, in the sense that he is also a subpar defender as well, so he can be a
real defensive liability in the NBA with his lack of height/lax defense, needs to put more effort in that area...Mediocre
wingspan doesn't help all that much...Horrible shooting form. Doesn't have much of a jumpshot, shot 15% from three pointers
as a junior and doesn't have much offensive polish or skill set besides the layup, needs to prove that he can hit those shots
to even be respectable offensively in the NBA...Tends to pass much open shots as well, can be an offensive liability in the
next level because transition is not always there for him...
Notes: Lack of height, defense, offense and streaky passing ability are really his biggest weaknesses,
but scouts will determine whether his athleticism, potentially good passing ability and transition game finishes make up for
that.
--Zev Kinnegan 7/12
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