2022 NBA DRAFT Positional Breakdown: SHOOTERS

 



SHOOTERS

Shooting is at a premium in today’s NBA. Even role players that can space the floor and hit big shots are getting paid like stars. As far as the team building process goes, many GM’s look for a sharpshooter as soon as they have found two young building blocks.

TEAMS with biggest need of shooters: OKC, DET, ORL, POR, WAS

FIRST ROUND LOCKS: 

A.J. Griffin-SF-Duke
6'6''/222/7'0''
10.4 PTS       3.9 REB         44.7%-3PT    79.2%-FT
Fr./18.8
Hometown: White Plains, NY
NBA Comparison: Corey Maggette/Justise Winslow
ROLE: 3 and D Starting Wing with high scoring potential
BEST TOOLS: Long Range Shooting/Versatility/Power

AJ Griffin had a great season from beyond the arc and has potential to be a versatile scorer. He is one of the youngest prospects in the draft yet already has an NBA ready frame. I compare him to two fellow Duke one a done players in Maggette and Winslow. He could turn into a 16-20 ppg guy like Maggette but I think it is more likely he ends up a very good role player like Winslow.

 


Shaedon Sharpe -SG-Kentucky (Did not play)         
6'5''/198/6'11.5''
NO STATS
Fr./19.0
Hometown: Toronto
NBA Comparison: Devin Booker/Nick Young/JR Smith  
ROLE: Starting Shooting Guard
BEST TOOLS: Scoring/Length/Athletic Ability

Sharpe is the mystery man of the 2022 NBA Draft as he did not play last year at Kentucky after reclassifying in high school. The track record of mystery guys that are drafted off potential has not been good as of late (Killian Hayes, Emmanuel Mudiay and Dante Exum). Sharpe is a much better athlete than those guys though.

Here are what the scouting reports say:

Bleacher Report: “There are still lingering questions around the NBA about what else Sharpe brings to the table, as he isn’t much of a playmaker in the halfcourt, settles for a lot of jumpers and tends to float a bit on the defensive end.”

The Ringer: “He can drain jumpers out of isolation using a variety of moves. Off the ball, he can relocate or run off a handoff then launch. Shot selection can be an issue. He’s a streaky shooter who too often falls in love with his jumper”

I see these scouting reports and the videos on YouTube and see that if everything went right, he could be like Booker. However, I read this and see a Nick Young or JR Smith type of solid role player. The team that takes him will need a long-term plan for success.  


Ochai Agbaji-SG/SF-Kansas
6'6''/217/6'10.25''
18.8 PTS       5.1 REB         40.7%-3PT   
Sr./22.2
Hometown: Kansas City
NBA Comparison: Josh Hart/Arron Afflalo
ROLE: Starting Wing Sharpshooter
BEST TOOLS: Long Range Shooting/Defense/Hustle

Agbaji was the Most Outstanding Player of the Final Four as he led Kansas to a National Title. Unlike Griffin and Sharpe, scouts and GM’s know exactly what they are getting with him. He has the size to play either wing spot. He really improved his shooting this past season and it led to a jump in scoring and efficiency. He will likely be drafted by a team that is looking to compete right now.



Malaki Branham-SF/SG-Ohio St
6'6''/194/6'10''                       
Fr./19.1
13.7 PTS       3.6 REB         41.6%-3PT    83.3%-FT                  
Hometown: Columbus, OH
NBA Comparison: Malik Beasley/Gary Harris
ROLE: Starting Wing Sharpshooter
BEST TOOLS: Shooting/Hustle/Defense  

Branham is another one and done prospect that is a very good shooter. He is not the biggest or greatest athlete, but he has a very good skill set. There is very little bust potential for Branham as he knows his role and knows when to pick his spots.


Jalen Williams-SG/SF-Santa Clara
6'6''/209/7'2.25''
18.0 PTS       4.4 REB         4.2 AST          39.6%-3PT    80.9%-FT      
Jr./21.2
Hometown: Gilbert, AZ
NBA Comparison: Doug Christie/Taurean Prince
ROLE: High End 6th/7th Man/Low End Starting Forward
BEST TOOLS: Shooting/Length/Defense

No one has improved their stock in the pre-draft process more than Williams. He measured well with an insane wingspan. He also tested very well athletically.  I had to compare him to another West Coast Conference legend in Doug Christie. Like Christie, Williams can use his length and versatility to become a good defender and role player.


FIRST ROUND BORDERLINE:


Wendell Moore-SF-Duke
6'6''/217/7'0.75''
13.4 PTS       5.3 REB         4.4 AST          41.3%-3PT    80.5%-FT
Jr./20.7
Hometown: Charlotte
NBA Comparison: Alec Burks/Gerald Henderson Jr.
ROLE: 3 and D Bench Wing
BEST TOOLS: Long Range Shooting/Playmaking/Defense

Moore has a large range on where he might get picked. I have seen him mocked in the late lottery all the way to the mid second round. He broke out his Junior year as improved dramatically as a playmaker and scorer. He should be a very good role player like Burks and Henderson.

 


Christian Braun-SG/SF-Kansas
6'7''/209/6'6.5''
14.1 PTS       6.5 REB         2.8 AST          38.3%-3PT   
Jr./21.1
Hometown: Burlington, KS
NBA Comparison: Chase Budinger/Pat Connaughton
ROLE: 3 and D Bench Wing
BEST TOOLS: Athleticism/Defense/Long Range Shooting

Braun tested very well at the combine posting a 41-inch vertical and a top 10 time in the sprint. He was the second-best player on Kansas’ title team. The hope is he lands with a contender like Connaughton where he can be a serviceable bench player.


Jake LaRavia-CF-Wake Forest
6'8''/227/6'9''
14.6 PTS       6.6 REB         3.7 AST          1.7 STL          38.3%-3PT   
Jr./20.6
Hometown: Indianapolis
NBA Comparison: Luke Walton/Jared Dudley
ROLE: 3 and D Bench Wing
BEST TOOLS: Versatility/Defense/Long Range Shooting

LaRiva transferred from Indiana State to Wake Forest and actually had better stats in the ACC. He is just a good all-around player that provides physical hard nosed defense, passing and shooting. Like Walton and Dudley he will never be an All Star but he as a chance to stick around in the league for a long time.


Caleb Houstan-SF-Michigan
6'8''/205         
10.0 PTS       4.0 REB         35.5%-3PT    78.3%-FT
Fr./19.4
Hometown: Mississauga, ON
NBA Comparison: Malachi Richardson/James Young
BEST TOOLS: Long Range Shooting/Leadership/ Basketball IQ

There is a chance that Houstan can outplay his two comparisons but the track record for slender one and done shooters is not great. It also should not be an insult to him as both Richardson and Young had better college production that Houstan.

 

Gabriele Procida-SG/SF-Italy/Bologna
6'8”/193/6'8''                                                                    
Italian League:   7.0 PTS      3.0 REB       38.3%-3PT    78.4%-FT
INT./20.1                  
Hometown: Como, Italy                                           
NBA Comparison: Marco Belinelli                                                             
BEST TOOLS:  Shooting/Athleticism/Versatility

Procida had solid production in very limited minutes last year. He is likely a draft and stash prospect that can one day be a solid NBA contributor. 


GETTING DRAFTED BORDERLINE:

Keon Ellis-SG-Alabama                     
6'5''/167/6'8.5''                                                                                              
12.1 PTS       6.1 REB         1.9 STL          36.6%-3PT    88.1%-FT
Sr./22.5                     
Hometown: Eustis, FL                                                       
NBA Comparison:  Jordan McRae                                                                                 
BEST TOOLS: Toughness/Shooting


Matteo Spagnolo-CG-Italy/Cremona
6'6”/196/6'8''                                                                    
Italian League:   12.2 PTS        3.5 REB        44.1%-3PT         86.1%-FT
INT./19.7                  
Hometown: Brindisi, Italy                                           
BEST TOOLS:  Shooting/Playmaking    

Johnny Juzang-SG/SF-UCLA
6'7''/209/6'11
15.6 PTS       4.7 REB         36.0%-3PT    83.5%-FT
Jr./21.3
Hometown: Los Angeles
BEST TOOLS: Shooting/Versatility


Vince Williams-SF-VCU
6'6''/203.7'0''  Sr./21.8
14.1 PTS       6.0 REB         38.7%-3PT    81.4%-FT
Sr./21.8
Hometown: Toledo
BEST TOOLS: Shooting/Playmaking


Bryson Williams-PF-TX Tech
6'9''/237/7′2.25”
14.1 PTS       4.2 REB         41.7%-3PT   
Sr./24.2
Hometown: Fresno, CA
BEST TOOLS: Versatility/Shooting/Power 

 

G-League Potential/Summer League Invite:

Hyunjung Lee-SF-Davidson
6'8''/204/6'9.75''
15.8 PTS       6.0 REB         38.1 %-3PT   89.4%-FT     
Jr./21.7
Hometown: Yongin City, Republic of Korea
BEST TOOLS: Shooting/Defense

 

Brady Manek-PF-UNC     
6'9''/218/7′1.25”
15.1 PTS       6.1 REB         40.3 %-3PT              
Sr./23.8
Hometown: Harrah, OK
BEST TOOLS: Long Range Shooting/Size


Gabe Brown-SF-Michigan St.    
6'8''/207/7'0'' 
11.6 PTS       3.8 REB         38.2%-3PT    89.4%-FT     
Sr./22.3
Hometown: Ypsilanti, MI
BEST TOOLS: Versatility/Playmaking/Defense


Kellan Grady-SG-Kentucky        
6'6''/204/6'8''
11.4 PTS       2.1 REB         41.5%-3PT               
Sr./24.8
Hometown: Boston

BEST TOOLS: Length/Playmaking/Mid-Range Shooting


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