Clive Verring

Strengths: Verring has dramatically made a vast improvement in his court demeanor and overall game from the transition of his sophomore to junior year. In his junior year now, Verring is starting to take more of an aggressive stance, making fine use of his body to put good pressure on his man but at the same time exploiting opportunities using his length and aggressiveness to get steals. He has that nice ability to stay in front of his man, with good footwork, decent footspeed and long arms to risk gambles and still recover in time defensively. Defense will probably be his calling card to the NBA, as he has the prototypical NBA wing body and is physically developed the way he is now. Offensively, he relies on a relatively okay jumpshot and has moved some of his game to the post, taking advantage of smaller shooting guards and bullying his way to the basket with his strength. Maintains his balance well, never knocked down much with his good physique. Can be capable of some rebounding explosions with his decent motor and hustle--he has also improved this area of his game from previous years. His improvement is obviously one of his biggest strengths.

Weaknesses: He is a little erratic offensively, not knowing how to exploit the best of situations the way he does defensively, resulting in some bad shots and explaining why he is currently around 42% in shooting percentage. Seems to lack NBA three point range, as he is shooting around 27% from college three on a limited number of attempts. Offensive awareness is well below that of an average NBA player, and his post game probably would not translate well in the NBA given that he is probably a wing combo. His post touch isn't as great as a big man's, it's decent but he misses a lot of chippies. Mid-range shot is relatively inconsistent, he's not a super shooter or anything of the sort. Can pick up fouls from being overaggressive. Overall game needs some polish. Court vision, ballhandling skills and passing ability are all below average, and he looks awkward taking the ball to the basket at times. Has lost some of his smoothness, not necessarily a bad thing, in being a more aggressive player.

Strengths: Decent all-around player with some two-way punch...Smooth offensive player, runs the floor like a deer...Never seems to lose his balance, always stands upright even with the ball in his hands...Above average first step, can get to the basket...Rarely forces the issue, not too turnover prone...Decent mid-range shooter, with a smooth stroke and solid mechanics...Hard working defensive player, uses lateral quickness to stick with his man...Has a decent frame for the NBA SG position already...

Weaknesses: Not a particularly talented player on offense, misses his fair share of open jumpshots for every one that he makes per game...Inconsistent jumpshooter despite his good release...Not a confident player. Sometimes drifts within the game and needs to make some sort of good play to get an energy boost...Play exponentially gets worse if he misses shots...Can get down at himself at times for bad play, had huge defensive lapses in the final minute in a key game against Notre Dame...Lacks good ball skills, a bit mechanical, cannot take anyone off the dribble...Rarely looks to handle the ball and make plays, and so his court vision (or lack thereof) is often not utilized...Doesn't look to pursue rebounds much although he certainly has the talent to get them...Decent defensive player, but probably won't be a stopper...Seems to have hit his peak already at college, it's unlikely he will improve from this point onwards...

Notes: Has a chance to make it to the league, but if he doesn't, a good comparison would be Kelenna Azubuike...both are so alike in demeanor and game. Anyhow, Memphis is a fairly deep team with a good star player in Willy Andersley. Verring averaged 20.4 points, 6.8 rebounds, 4.6 assists, and 3.6 steals out of high school, despite not being a top 100 HS recruit.