Chris Arlo

Size: In the NBA, will certainly be an undersized shooting guard and very undersized for a SF. However, smallish wing forwards such as Adrian Griffin and Greg Buckner have gotten away with being SFs by being defensive stoppers. Chris can be the same breed of player, perhaps even more. However, his strength and athleticism more than make up for it--just ask Dwyane Wade. The NBA has a history of undersized shooting guards making it into the NBA.

Wingspan/Hands: Very nice physical tools. Wingspan is simply marvelous and allows him to play bigger than his body; for a 6'4" guy, he has a 6'10" wingspan. Gets a lot of blocked shots not only because of his wingspan but because of his aggressive mentality and determination. Hands are very good as well, catches most passes, rarely fumbles the ball and looks fluid dribbling the ball, although ballhandling skills may need some minor work. Palms the ball very easily, anticipates well and deflects many passes with his large hands. Actually a better shotblocker than stealer, but he's a decent stealer so that attests a lot to his shotblocking.

Overall Offense: A fair weakness right here, at least when it translates to the NBA; one of the primary scorers for his young Florida team but his moves simply won't translate to the NBA. Always got to the basket and to the line at will against poor teams but never showed up against the top competition. Has the great first step to get to the hole, but draws so much attention that he only finishes his shots about 75% of the time. Has a nice post game in the college level, but at 6'4" will never be able to utilize it in the NBA. Very shaky mid-range shot, misses more than hits even when he is open. Has college three point range, only barely, and simply can't hit from NBA three. Not a good perimeter shooter whether static or off the dribble. Makes his move quickly, very electric, but sometimes can be prone to losing the ball or making careless mistakes with the ball ipn his hands. Only NBA offensive attribute currently, is really, slashing to the hoop. Hopefully he becomes more offensively rounded if he comes back senior year.

Overall Defense: An excellent defender in the college level and can become a lockdown defender in the NBA. This part of his game is really like Dwyane Wade rather than the aforementioned comparison of Tony Allen; blocks a lot of shots, deflects a lot of passes, simply seems to be all over the place. Runs very quickly on defense and plays as well off-the-ball as on-the-ball (plays both of them well). Likes to wreak havoc on the opponent's offensive schemes, one of the primary reasons why Florida was such a good defensive team last year. Got 1.4 blocks per game last year as a sophomore, and 0.8 steals per game. His combination of wingspan/physical tools as well as his determination to succeed on defense really helps his cause. Plays bigger than his body; initially may have trouble guarding bigger NBA wings, but his weight won't let him get pushed around and his wingspan will more than help.

Athleticism: Very athletic player, comparable to Tony Allen in this respect. Did not dunk much last year as he always got hacked to the basket, but from the limited dunks we have seen he has been quite impressive. Power dunker, his combination of speed, explosiveness, first step, etc., makes him a very good transition player and often gets one-hand dunks. Has the physical tools and abilities and that really helps his cause in the NBA. Jumps off the floor well, reacts and also has good reflexes. All in all, quite a good motor. If he really pursues dunking he can be a future Dunk-contest participant.

Experience: Has played two years for the SEC Florida team so far, and has experienced winning records for both seasons. He has had experience, but his game doesn't seem to react well against the more "experienced" competition, as he often has off-nights. This is quite a huge concern for the NBA; he doesn't play like a JUCO player, but most of his good games come against weaker competition. On the plus side, he always plays hard and his defense is equally well both agaisnt poor/good competition. Was named to the SEC Freshman team as a freshman, so he has had some accolades.

Versatility: Not exactly a versatile player right now for the NBA; actually has more of a SF's game because he doesn't have much court vision and just likes to wreak havoc attacking the basket, waiting for the ball to come for him. Likes to get closer to the basket and does not linger around the perimeter too long, because that simply isn't his game. Lacks passing skills, Florida has Calvin Chryss running the point to perfection he just needs to wait for the ball. Seemingly positionless right now, sort of like what was initially thought of Dwyane Wade when he jumped into the NBA, because he lacks smooth point/shooting guard skills and is more like a SF trapped in a small SG's body. He'll have to prove his position in the NBA, but most likely it is SG.

Effort: Puts full effort on both ends of the floor, although it does not necessarily translate to results. Defense is where he is most effective with his effort; wreaks havoc, intercepts passes, blocks shots, etc., and his effort really helps him, along with his gifted physical abilities, on defense. On offense, he puts effort trying to slash to the hole and has improved his ballhandling (for his slashing) a bit. Still needs to round out his offensive game though. Although it must be noted that he never seems to be lazy in plays, always seems to be active and plays with heart. Plays like his life depends upon it.

Intangibles: In terms of intangibles, tries hard and even hustles to the ground to chase loose balls but simply doesn't have too high a basketball IQ. Questionable decision-making, seems to always go full-steam to the basket when the ball is in his hands and that can be too predictable for the opposition at times. Does realize that his jumpshot is shaky, so tries to masquerade it by driving to the hoop more (whether for good or bad in terms of the NBA, as he'll need to develop it). Smart defender, moves his feet well and has the speed, length, hands, and determination to knock off the opposing players, but sometimes plays too aggressively and picks up cheap fouls. Doesn't look to be a patient player, sometimes rushes things, tries to do too much at times.

Injury Concerns: Older than the average junior because he had to redshirt his freshman season after a lingering back injury, but it has healed by then and he didn't miss a game in his sophomore year. Anyway, never seems to let injuries take a toll on his game; very tough player, plays through injuries and still puts up the same numbers, and utilizes the same sort of explosion and athleticism regardless. Apart from that, no major problems to report, should be a healthy player in the NBA barring any unforeseen accidents.

Bottom Line: Arlo will eventually play in the NBA. Has raw offense and may not play in the NBA immediately, but he should develop into a nice role player and perhaps even a star if he gathers his game together this season or even in the NBA. He has his combination of determination and physical tools down pat and all he needs to do is to tone it down a bit and let his offensive game come to him. Hasn't improved his game much from his freshman season but he seems to have shown a newfound dedication to improving his jumpshot, although that hasn't shown yet. Plays bigger than his height and with his tools, his height shouldn't be a detriment to the NBA. Dwyane Wade has become a star and Tony Allen a very solid role player, and because Chris is so much like them, he should really have a place in this league.