Breaking Down Some of the Draft’s Interesting Swingmen
The 2017 Draft is just two days away and although the Wine & Gold have no picks
slated for Thursday night, we know that anything is possible as the day draws
near.
The NBA is a constantly-evolving league and, in its current incarnation, long
and lean wing players are highly coveted.
The Cavaliers got back into last year’s Draft and with some of the two-way wings
available, might turn to the college ranks once again.
The list of wings who might be available range from defensive specialists to
long-range marksmen. Where they wind up and how they perform when they get there
will determine their futures at the next level …
Wesley Iwundu dribbles the ball up court during the NBA Draft Combine at the
Quest Multisport Center on May 11, 2017 in Chicago, Illinois. Photo by Jeff
Haynes/NBAE via Getty Images
Tyler Dorsey – Oregon – So. – 6-4, 185
Not many players come into this year’s Draft with a more recently-impressive
resume than Tyler Dorsey, who completed his career at Oregon with eight straight
20-point performances, leading the Ducks to the Final Four and earning the
nickname “Mr. March”; has parlayed his NCAA run into strong workouts, reportedly
shooting the lights out, improving his stock after two up-and-down seasons in
Eugene; excellent scoring instincts; not great size for an NBA swingman –
measuring in at 6-4 with a 6-5 wingspan – and needs to pack muscle on a slight
185-pound frame; smart player who plays under control; can knock down the
three-ball consistently – shot 41 percent from deep at Oregon; plays well off
screens and in the pick-and-roll; didn’t run the offense on a regular basis, but
did play some point guard for the Ducks and proved to be a solid decision-maker;
shooting and offensive skill-set are a valuable commodity and might just push
Dorsey into the late First Round of Thursday’s Draft
PJ Dozier – South Carolina – So. – 6-6, 200
Though he doesn’t have a true NBA position carved out, the versatile Dozier –
who can play and defend against three positions – is one of the more intriguing
players in the Draft; boosted his stock tremendously, leading South Carolina to
an improbable Final Four run in 2017; measuring in at 6-6 with a 7-0 wingspan
and 8-5 standing reach; quick hands and feet on the defensive end; shot just 28
percent from long-range in college; has the build of a prototypical SG, but has
all the skills of a PG and is being viewed as a big point guard/secondary
ballhandler at the next level – drawing comparisons to Golden State’s Shaun
Livingston; not a completely polished ballhandler yet, but has good court vision
in transition and can see over defenders; needs to improve on free throw
shooting – shot just over 60 percent in two seasons at SC – and will likely have
to develop an overall offensive game at NBA level, but scouts love his potential
as a defender
Josh Hart – Villanova – Sr. – 6-5, 210
One of the most accomplished players in school history, Hart entered, then
withdrew from the 2016 Draft after winning the National Championship;
high-character, mature player (with a game to match) should have no problem
transitioning to the NBA; very good but not an elite athlete by NBA standards;
gets to the stripe often and converts on over 75 percent of free throws;
physically mature – measuring 6-5 with a 6-9 wingspan and weighing in 10 pounds
heavier than last year’s combine; can knock down the long-range shot and
improved throughout his career – shooting over 40 percent as a senior; lacks
ideal size and length for an NBA wing; at 22 years old, concerns about his
upside; not a flashy player, compensates for physical shortcomings with
intensity and intelligence; Hart’s true value at the next level will likely be
his ability to space the floor and play a jack-of-all-trades role as a backcourt
reserve
Left-Right: Wesley Iwundu, PJ Dozier, Semi Ojeleye, Josh Hart, Tyler Dorsey
Wesley Iwundu – Kansas State – Sr. – 6-7, 195
Versatile four-year player who improved throughout his college career and led
K-State to an NCAA berth as a senior; long and lean, Iwundu will need to pack
some pounds on and get stronger in the lower body to bang at NBA level; valuable
two-way player; good size and length for a wing (6-7 with a 7-1 wingspan and a
8-8 standing reach); carried much of the offensive load in college, but won’t be
a big NBA scoring threat; excellent quickness and leaping ability; not a great
shooter – gets most of his offense going in transition; was a strong defensive
player in a strong defensive system at Kansas State; improved his free throw
shooting throughout his career; also has the ability to create for teammates –
averaged 3.5 assists per contest; has the physical traits to defend SGs at the
next level, but will need to fill out to effectively check SFs at this stage;
decent but low-volume three-point shooter; with a valuable skill-set in today’s
NBA, Iwundu projects as a defensive-minded role player at the next level
Semi Ojeleye – SMU – Jr. – 6-7, 240
Duke transfer and physical beast, Ojeleye is viewed as one of the Draft’s true
sleepers; at 6-7 and a developed 240, already has NBA body and, already 22 years
old, might be ready to contribute immediately; has good handle for a big man,
can hit the spot-up or off-the-dribble three-pointer (shot 42 percent from deep
this year) and can create his own shot in the halfcourt; high IQ player, doesn’t
commit many turnovers; dangerous face-up post player; very nice footwork;
excellent motor; gets to the free throw line frequently due to his aggressive
and physical style; flew under the radar in a week AAC Conference; intelligent,
confident, coachable; uses size, physicality well on the glass – more so on the
offensive end, needs work on defensive end; outstanding athlete in space and
thunderous finisher at the rim; doesn’t have great length (6-10 wingspan);
doesn’t have a lot of experience guarding NBA-level wing players, but could be
an interesting mismatch player at the next level
Media Content: http://www.nba.com/cavaliers/news/features/draft-wings-170620
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