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Strengths: Combo guard with a unique set of strengths...A sharpshooter. Possesses unlimited range
and the aggressiveness to look for his three point shot, as well as the consistency to hit them even with a hand in his face...Not
a self-made shooter, but a natural one. For all of his shot selection(see below), still manages to rack up 44% 3FGs at the
high school level on a high level of attempts...Pulls up unexpectedly as well and can hit mid-range jumpshots by squaring
up, getting his body in control quickly as well as his feet under him...Possesses very good ballhandling skills already for
someone his age. Not a wizard with the ball at this point in time, but transitions cleanly from dribbling to pulling up making
his offense very unpredictable. Very good at selling defenders with jab steps and subtle changes of direction...Possesses
great offensive savvy. Around the basket game is diversified with a very solid floater as well as his good first step which
allows him to get to the basket and finish...Surprisingly good athlete. Has a 38.5'' inch vertical which is most prevalent
in his ability to finish around the basket. Particularly in the open court, uses his extra gear well to end plays in dramatic
fashion for a person of his stature...Tough defensive player. It is difficult to find players that offensively talented yet
still that committed to playing defense, and he possesses height, great lateral quickness and the requisite speed and
tenacity (offshoot of his confidence) to hound his man, never reaches for steals excessively....Excellent potential....Can
be a good two-way player in the NBA...
Weaknesses: Point guard skills are severely undeveloped. Despite his good ballhandling skills and
his ability to use them to his offensive advantage, he suffers from tunnel vision at times in which he seems to ignore his
teammates and solely focus on shooting the three (albeit he does very well), pulling up from midrange and using subtle
direction changes to attack the basket...Most combo guards tend to make the play for the assist a la kickout or drive and
dish, yet he does not even have that down...Has a real scorer's mentality just like the typical shooting guard in the NBA...Routinely
runs into brick walls offensively, playing at a different speed from everyone else and forcing up a tough jumpshot or layup,
or racking up turnovers...Rarely seems to create his own shot. Either pulls up, spots up, or attacks, though....An example
where too much confidence contributes to erratic play...Plays shooting guard at high school and doesn't show flashes of running
an offense very well...A little underweight, may need to add more pounds to handle stronger guards....A poor rebounder and
passer for someone of his talent at the high school level....Suffers from a very poor wingspan (6'4") despite all his athleticism,
which is why he does not get too many steals (only 1.2 spg in high school in much playing time)....In off the ball situations,
doesn't always have his head in the game. Tends to drift and spot up for three point shots when that happens...May be a headache
for coaches. Doesn't seem overly coachable, had free rein in high school....Has the skill set and the potential combination,
but just needs to harness them properly with time and experience....
Notes: If he can tapped into, McCool has pure shooter type potential (not the shot selection though),
very good athleticism and all defensive team type potential. How many players are of that mold in the NBA? As a 6'3" scorer
lacking conscience in his shot, though, he'll need to overcome those problems before any of his potential can be realized.
A combination of Jordan Farmar and Louis Williams at this stage in time seems like an apt comparison.
--Ester Laud 2/11
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