Post by Admin on Jun 23, 2022 11:54:21 GMT -5
PG's:
Hugo Besson
6'5"196 lbs NZ Breakers
7 POS RK
41 OVR RK
Pre-Draft Analysis
April 29, 2021: (Intriguing long-term prospects) -- While we saw Besson's worst game of the season from a productivity standpoint (5 point on 9 shots in 30 minutes), he still caught my eye with his improved floor game, confidence and competitiveness as a 6-4 combo guard who can score it at all 3 levels. Besson has been a revelation this season in his first full year at the pro level. He ranks second in all of France's second division in scoring at 16.9 points in just 28.4 minutes while shooting 60% from 2 and 35% from 3 and moonlighting as a point guard for stretches, averaging 3.9 assists per 40 minutes.
He topped 25 points in four games this season, most recently dropping 27 on Blois while knocking down 6-of-9 3s. Although on the streaky side when sprinting off screens, he's shown the ability to shoot the ball on the move, is capable of pulling up off the bounce, and is converting a remarkable 67% of his shots at the rim, impressive when you consider his average physical profile at 6-4, 196 pounds. Often earning comparisons to Nando De Colo in France, Besson's ability to play on or off the ball and go for 20 on any given night should make him attractive to NBA teams as he climbs up the ranks in Europe.
He still needs to improve as a defender, turn himself into a knockdown shooter, and take his ball screen reads to the next level. But with the success of microwave scorers ranging from Tyler Herro to Jordan Clarkson in today's NBA, scouts would be wise to get familiar with Besson because of his confident shot-making ability and rapidly improving game at just 20 years old. Still unknown to most scouts as he was never invited to the French junior national team, Besson's peak draft stock should come in 2022, especially since he's garnering interest from clubs all over Europe and beyond for next season. -- Mike Schmitz
April 29, 2021: (Intriguing long-term prospects) -- While we saw Besson's worst game of the season from a productivity standpoint (5 point on 9 shots in 30 minutes), he still caught my eye with his improved floor game, confidence and competitiveness as a 6-4 combo guard who can score it at all 3 levels. Besson has been a revelation this season in his first full year at the pro level. He ranks second in all of France's second division in scoring at 16.9 points in just 28.4 minutes while shooting 60% from 2 and 35% from 3 and moonlighting as a point guard for stretches, averaging 3.9 assists per 40 minutes.
He topped 25 points in four games this season, most recently dropping 27 on Blois while knocking down 6-of-9 3s. Although on the streaky side when sprinting off screens, he's shown the ability to shoot the ball on the move, is capable of pulling up off the bounce, and is converting a remarkable 67% of his shots at the rim, impressive when you consider his average physical profile at 6-4, 196 pounds. Often earning comparisons to Nando De Colo in France, Besson's ability to play on or off the ball and go for 20 on any given night should make him attractive to NBA teams as he climbs up the ranks in Europe.
He still needs to improve as a defender, turn himself into a knockdown shooter, and take his ball screen reads to the next level. But with the success of microwave scorers ranging from Tyler Herro to Jordan Clarkson in today's NBA, scouts would be wise to get familiar with Besson because of his confident shot-making ability and rapidly improving game at just 20 years old. Still unknown to most scouts as he was never invited to the French junior national team, Besson's peak draft stock should come in 2022, especially since he's garnering interest from clubs all over Europe and beyond for next season. -- Mike Schmitz
JD Davison
6'3"195 lbs Alabama
6'3"195 lbs Alabama
8 POS RK
50 OVR RK
Pre-Draft Analysis
March 15, 2022: (2022 NBA mock draft: Drafting players competing in the NCAA tournament) -- Davison entered the college game known as a YouTube sensation thanks to his explosive dunking ability, but quickly showed there's more to his game, showing impressive feel as a passer and real grit defensively. He has an excellent physical profile for a guard, which has allowed him to play on and off the ball for Alabama, who has beaten some of the best teams in college while racking up plenty of confusing losses. Offense has been a major struggle at times for Davison, who isn't a polished ball-handler or a consistent shooter. It's clear that Davison's struggles as a scorer and concerningly high turnover rate make him more of a long-term prospect, which has allowed more productive guards to jump ahead of him as the season has moved on. Finishing on a strong note will be important considering the way Davison's productivity has fluctuated, something that may make returning for another season in college appealing (or necessary) depending on how his season ends. -- Jonathan Givony
March 9, 2022: (Stock Watch) -- Alabama has been one of the more confusing teams in college basketball this season, posting wins over several Final Four contenders such as Gonzaga, Baylor, Houston, Tennessee, LSU, Arkansas, while losing to the likes of Missouri, Georgia, Iona, Davidson, and Texas A&M.
Davison has been equally inconsistent, alternating between starting, coming off the bench and playing a limited role at different points in the season, while posting scintillating performances at times or going scoreless in others.
Freshmen like Davison, who hails from the small town of Letohatchee, Alabama, and played at a very low level in high school were particularly hurt by the opportunities eliminated by the pandemic, at least from an experience standpoint.
Davison's 28% turnover percentage will be the highest of any player drafted in the past decade, as being thrown straight into the gauntlet of SEC defenses has been a definite learning experience.
Offense has been somewhat of a challenge for Davison, whose 12.7 points per-40 is the second-lowest of any college player currently projected to be drafted. His ball-handling ability is a major work in progress, as he's struggled considerably to generate efficient shots for himself in pick and roll and one on one situations this season, clearly not looking ready to be a primary creator at this level of competition. That's compounded by Davison's struggles shooting off the dribble, as he's hit just 24% (8-for-34) of his pull-up jumpers this season according to Synergy Sports Technology.
Davison has had plenty of outstanding moments this season that hint at great things to come down the road for a team willing to be patient with his development. He's a highly unselfish, creative passer who uses his size effectively to pick apart defenses driving and dishing in a variety of situations, but especially in the open court. He's one of the best rebounding guards in this draft and regularly busts out off the defensive glass and finds teammates off a live dribble. There aren't many guards in the college game who show the flashes he does changing gears out of hesitation moves, absorbing contact in the lane and finishing explosively at the rim, something that can hopefully be developed further in time.
Playing alongside two ball-dominant, upperclassmen guards in Jahvon Quinerly and Jaden Shackelford, Davison has been forced to take a backseat and play on the wing much more than he likely expected, which has allowed him to show some better-than-expected ability to hit spot-up jumpers, converting 37% of his attempts on the season with his feet set.
Defensively, Davison checks anyone from point guard to power forwards in Alabama's switch-heavy scheme, bringing a level of physicality the team has sorely lacked at times this season, while proving to be a real playmaker by getting in passing lanes, blocking jump-shots and crashing the glass effectively. He's far from perfect on this end of the floor, at times getting caught losing his focus or flat-footed off the ball, but has been able to stay on the floor through his offensive struggles in no small part due to the versatility and effectiveness he brings here.
Davison's standing has dropped somewhat relative to where he started the season as more productive college guards have eclipsed him. A strong finish to the season, starting in the SEC tournament, which will be packed with NBA talent evaluators, and then the NCAA tournament, would certainly help. Taking the Jaden Ivey route, a player he's at times compared to by NBA executives, could have some merit. The Purdue guard was considered a potential late first-round pick at the end of his freshman season but is now likely to be picked in the top-5 after a breakout sophomore season. There are advantages to both strategies and Davison will have a decision to make in the next month or so on which route he'll elect to take. -- Mike Schmitz
March 15, 2022: (2022 NBA mock draft: Drafting players competing in the NCAA tournament) -- Davison entered the college game known as a YouTube sensation thanks to his explosive dunking ability, but quickly showed there's more to his game, showing impressive feel as a passer and real grit defensively. He has an excellent physical profile for a guard, which has allowed him to play on and off the ball for Alabama, who has beaten some of the best teams in college while racking up plenty of confusing losses. Offense has been a major struggle at times for Davison, who isn't a polished ball-handler or a consistent shooter. It's clear that Davison's struggles as a scorer and concerningly high turnover rate make him more of a long-term prospect, which has allowed more productive guards to jump ahead of him as the season has moved on. Finishing on a strong note will be important considering the way Davison's productivity has fluctuated, something that may make returning for another season in college appealing (or necessary) depending on how his season ends. -- Jonathan Givony
March 9, 2022: (Stock Watch) -- Alabama has been one of the more confusing teams in college basketball this season, posting wins over several Final Four contenders such as Gonzaga, Baylor, Houston, Tennessee, LSU, Arkansas, while losing to the likes of Missouri, Georgia, Iona, Davidson, and Texas A&M.
Davison has been equally inconsistent, alternating between starting, coming off the bench and playing a limited role at different points in the season, while posting scintillating performances at times or going scoreless in others.
Freshmen like Davison, who hails from the small town of Letohatchee, Alabama, and played at a very low level in high school were particularly hurt by the opportunities eliminated by the pandemic, at least from an experience standpoint.
Davison's 28% turnover percentage will be the highest of any player drafted in the past decade, as being thrown straight into the gauntlet of SEC defenses has been a definite learning experience.
Offense has been somewhat of a challenge for Davison, whose 12.7 points per-40 is the second-lowest of any college player currently projected to be drafted. His ball-handling ability is a major work in progress, as he's struggled considerably to generate efficient shots for himself in pick and roll and one on one situations this season, clearly not looking ready to be a primary creator at this level of competition. That's compounded by Davison's struggles shooting off the dribble, as he's hit just 24% (8-for-34) of his pull-up jumpers this season according to Synergy Sports Technology.
Davison has had plenty of outstanding moments this season that hint at great things to come down the road for a team willing to be patient with his development. He's a highly unselfish, creative passer who uses his size effectively to pick apart defenses driving and dishing in a variety of situations, but especially in the open court. He's one of the best rebounding guards in this draft and regularly busts out off the defensive glass and finds teammates off a live dribble. There aren't many guards in the college game who show the flashes he does changing gears out of hesitation moves, absorbing contact in the lane and finishing explosively at the rim, something that can hopefully be developed further in time.
Playing alongside two ball-dominant, upperclassmen guards in Jahvon Quinerly and Jaden Shackelford, Davison has been forced to take a backseat and play on the wing much more than he likely expected, which has allowed him to show some better-than-expected ability to hit spot-up jumpers, converting 37% of his attempts on the season with his feet set.
Defensively, Davison checks anyone from point guard to power forwards in Alabama's switch-heavy scheme, bringing a level of physicality the team has sorely lacked at times this season, while proving to be a real playmaker by getting in passing lanes, blocking jump-shots and crashing the glass effectively. He's far from perfect on this end of the floor, at times getting caught losing his focus or flat-footed off the ball, but has been able to stay on the floor through his offensive struggles in no small part due to the versatility and effectiveness he brings here.
Davison's standing has dropped somewhat relative to where he started the season as more productive college guards have eclipsed him. A strong finish to the season, starting in the SEC tournament, which will be packed with NBA talent evaluators, and then the NCAA tournament, would certainly help. Taking the Jaden Ivey route, a player he's at times compared to by NBA executives, could have some merit. The Purdue guard was considered a potential late first-round pick at the end of his freshman season but is now likely to be picked in the top-5 after a breakout sophomore season. There are advantages to both strategies and Davison will have a decision to make in the next month or so on which route he'll elect to take. -- Mike Schmitz
Jean Montero
6'2"172 lbs Overtime Elite
9 POS RK
52 OVR RK
Pre-Draft Analysis
Nov. 11, 2021: (Mock Draft) -- Montero's move to OTE has allowed NBA teams to see a different side of the Dominican guard's game, as he's playing with a level of freedom and confidence an 18-year-old can never expect to find with his previous club, Gran Canaria of the Spanish ACB.
Always known for his scoring prowess, Montero's passing creativity and overall unselfishness have stood out the most thus far. On a team with several scoring options, he sets the tone by passing ahead, making the right play and operating with a level of maturity and poise that's impressive to see from an 18-year-old, often lifting up teammates after mistakes. While Montero is not immune to getting caught up in the highlight-reel nature of OTE's games, he has had some really impressive moments rejecting screens, snaking, probing and surveying the court out of pick-and-roll, and putting quite a bit of pressure on opposing defenses with his handle, footwork, shiftiness and natural pace. The fact that he can pull up off the dribble from deep vantage points makes him difficult to plan for, especially with the way he can find teammates on the move using both sides of the floor, as well as score inside the arc in a variety of ways.
Montero's defense, always considered a concern given his size (6-2, 172 pounds with a 6-4 wingspan), has been inconsistent with OTE, as has his ability to finish through contact around the rim in traffic. His intensity level really fluctuates, although some of that has to do with the environment he's playing in, as Montero showed more fight in his team's highly competitive game against a well-coached Combine Academy than he did in some of their other all-star-type exhibitions.
While some will criticize Montero for leaving a high-level ACB team in Gran Canaria to play significantly lower-level competition versus mostly high school opponents, it's important to note that he's essentially the same age or younger than many of the top high school seniors in the U.S., who aren't eligible for the draft until 2023. He does often look like a graduate student playing with 12th graders at OTE, but that reality has allowed him to show different parts of his game in a very different setting. How exactly NBA teams view OTE's schedule is still a question mark, but Montero is doing what he can to ease any concerns by putting his outstanding talent and how easily the game comes to him on full display. -- Jonathan Givony
Nov. 11, 2021: (Mock Draft) -- Montero's move to OTE has allowed NBA teams to see a different side of the Dominican guard's game, as he's playing with a level of freedom and confidence an 18-year-old can never expect to find with his previous club, Gran Canaria of the Spanish ACB.
Always known for his scoring prowess, Montero's passing creativity and overall unselfishness have stood out the most thus far. On a team with several scoring options, he sets the tone by passing ahead, making the right play and operating with a level of maturity and poise that's impressive to see from an 18-year-old, often lifting up teammates after mistakes. While Montero is not immune to getting caught up in the highlight-reel nature of OTE's games, he has had some really impressive moments rejecting screens, snaking, probing and surveying the court out of pick-and-roll, and putting quite a bit of pressure on opposing defenses with his handle, footwork, shiftiness and natural pace. The fact that he can pull up off the dribble from deep vantage points makes him difficult to plan for, especially with the way he can find teammates on the move using both sides of the floor, as well as score inside the arc in a variety of ways.
Montero's defense, always considered a concern given his size (6-2, 172 pounds with a 6-4 wingspan), has been inconsistent with OTE, as has his ability to finish through contact around the rim in traffic. His intensity level really fluctuates, although some of that has to do with the environment he's playing in, as Montero showed more fight in his team's highly competitive game against a well-coached Combine Academy than he did in some of their other all-star-type exhibitions.
While some will criticize Montero for leaving a high-level ACB team in Gran Canaria to play significantly lower-level competition versus mostly high school opponents, it's important to note that he's essentially the same age or younger than many of the top high school seniors in the U.S., who aren't eligible for the draft until 2023. He does often look like a graduate student playing with 12th graders at OTE, but that reality has allowed him to show different parts of his game in a very different setting. How exactly NBA teams view OTE's schedule is still a question mark, but Montero is doing what he can to ease any concerns by putting his outstanding talent and how easily the game comes to him on full display. -- Jonathan Givony
Ziga Samar
6'5"185 lbs Fuenlabrada
10 POS RK
54 OVR RK
Pre-Draft Analysis
February 22, 2022: (Mock Draft and Top 100 update) -- Samar has been a long-time fixture on the international youth circuit, helping Slovenia to a surprise third-place finish at the FIBA U18 European Championship in 2019, where he was named to the All-Tournament team alongside eventual first-round picks Santi Aldama, Usman Garuba and Alperen Sengun, and ahead of the likes of Franz Wagner and Aleksej Pokusevski. He won back to back ANGT championships with Real Madrid in 2018 and 2019, but was not offered a professional contract by the Euroleague powerhouse upon turning 18, leading him to sign with ACB team Fuenlabrada in suburban Madrid, where he's now in the third season of a four year deal.
Now 21, Samar has blossomed into one of the most promising point guard prospects in European basketball, starting and playing significant minutes in the most competitive domestic league in the world outside the NBA, helping his team win plenty of games in the process, despite being severely overmatched talentwise.
Despite standing 6-foot-6, Samar ranks top-5 in the ACB in assists and No. 1 in the league in pure point rating, thanks in part to his sparkling 3.3 to 1 assist-to-turnover ratio. He's one of the most creative passers in this draft class off a live dribble, an absolute maestro in pick and roll with tremendous pace, ball-handling ability and vision who gets anywhere he wants on the floor despite not possessing blazing quickness, patiently surveying the court and making impressive reads with a variety of passes using both sides of the floor.
Samar has also significantly improved his perimeter shooting, once considered a weakness of his game (career 27% 3-point shooting on 350 attempts). He's hitting half of his attempts this season from beyond the arc, as well as 77% of his free throw attempts, allowing him to see minutes off the ball as well alongside a diminutive guard in Jovan Novak who also ranks among the ACB leaders in assists. He's been deadly with his feet set but also fairly effective shooting off the dribble, an important development for his NBA projection, but will need to continue to make shots consistently to prove that this recent uptick is not a fluke.
While his feel for the game and passing creativity is notable, what's allowed Samar to get and stay on the floor at the high level at which he competes is the toughness and intelligence he brings defensively. He regularly presses up on opposing guards the length of the floor, denies off the ball, and has the size and physicality to switch onto bigger players and hold his own and not get taken advantage of. He lacks a degree of lateral quickness matching up with smaller, more explosive guards, but has been very effective for the most part even against Euroleague players, ranking top-10 in the ACB in steals.
While Samar isn't exactly a prototype for what the NBA is looking for at the guard spot, with his slow-it down game, average length, explosiveness and just-decent finishing and overall scoring ability, it's become increasingly difficult to ignore his tremendous feel for the game and productivity at the highest levels of competition. His size, IQ and versatility should allow him to fit into different lineup configurations, and his comfortable contractual situation should make him one of the more attractive "stash" options for teams with multiple picks who aren't looking to roster all of their draft choices, making him a real candidate to hear his name called on draft night. - Jonathan Givony
February 22, 2022: (Mock Draft and Top 100 update) -- Samar has been a long-time fixture on the international youth circuit, helping Slovenia to a surprise third-place finish at the FIBA U18 European Championship in 2019, where he was named to the All-Tournament team alongside eventual first-round picks Santi Aldama, Usman Garuba and Alperen Sengun, and ahead of the likes of Franz Wagner and Aleksej Pokusevski. He won back to back ANGT championships with Real Madrid in 2018 and 2019, but was not offered a professional contract by the Euroleague powerhouse upon turning 18, leading him to sign with ACB team Fuenlabrada in suburban Madrid, where he's now in the third season of a four year deal.
Now 21, Samar has blossomed into one of the most promising point guard prospects in European basketball, starting and playing significant minutes in the most competitive domestic league in the world outside the NBA, helping his team win plenty of games in the process, despite being severely overmatched talentwise.
Despite standing 6-foot-6, Samar ranks top-5 in the ACB in assists and No. 1 in the league in pure point rating, thanks in part to his sparkling 3.3 to 1 assist-to-turnover ratio. He's one of the most creative passers in this draft class off a live dribble, an absolute maestro in pick and roll with tremendous pace, ball-handling ability and vision who gets anywhere he wants on the floor despite not possessing blazing quickness, patiently surveying the court and making impressive reads with a variety of passes using both sides of the floor.
Samar has also significantly improved his perimeter shooting, once considered a weakness of his game (career 27% 3-point shooting on 350 attempts). He's hitting half of his attempts this season from beyond the arc, as well as 77% of his free throw attempts, allowing him to see minutes off the ball as well alongside a diminutive guard in Jovan Novak who also ranks among the ACB leaders in assists. He's been deadly with his feet set but also fairly effective shooting off the dribble, an important development for his NBA projection, but will need to continue to make shots consistently to prove that this recent uptick is not a fluke.
While his feel for the game and passing creativity is notable, what's allowed Samar to get and stay on the floor at the high level at which he competes is the toughness and intelligence he brings defensively. He regularly presses up on opposing guards the length of the floor, denies off the ball, and has the size and physicality to switch onto bigger players and hold his own and not get taken advantage of. He lacks a degree of lateral quickness matching up with smaller, more explosive guards, but has been very effective for the most part even against Euroleague players, ranking top-10 in the ACB in steals.
While Samar isn't exactly a prototype for what the NBA is looking for at the guard spot, with his slow-it down game, average length, explosiveness and just-decent finishing and overall scoring ability, it's become increasingly difficult to ignore his tremendous feel for the game and productivity at the highest levels of competition. His size, IQ and versatility should allow him to fit into different lineup configurations, and his comfortable contractual situation should make him one of the more attractive "stash" options for teams with multiple picks who aren't looking to roster all of their draft choices, making him a real candidate to hear his name called on draft night. - Jonathan Givony
Matteo Spagnolo
6'5"180 lbs Cremona
12 POS RK
60 OVR RK
Pre-Draft Analysis
January 26, 2022: (Top 100) -- Few international prospects have improved their respective draft stock more than 19-year-old Italian Matteo Spagnolo (No. 43), who is in the midst of a breakout season with Cremona in the Italian first division and is in the running for the best European lead guard in this class. On loan from Spanish powerhouse Real Madrid, Spagnolo is one of only five teenagers in all of high-level Europe playing at least 25 minutes per game, leading that group in scoring (12.0 PPG) and 3-point percentage (48.6%). We evaluated Spagnolo during a home game against Sassari and conducted an hour-long film session with him after, getting a better feel for how he sees the game and his approach, which coaches and evaluators have long raved about.
In his first real professional season, Spagnolo has dazzled with his off-the-dribble shooting, creativity in pick-and-roll and flashes of ball screen brilliance. More comfortable with his patented crossover, mid-range pull-up than long-range 3s coming into this season, Spagnolo is starting to knock down step-back triples with more regularity, even pulling from NBA range with teams darting under screens. Calm and even keel on the floor, he's able to use his 6-5, 198-pound frame to keep his defender on his hip before making an off-the-dribble pass to an open teammate or re-accelerating to the rim into a finesse finish. Although more wired to score than facilitate, he snakes ball screens like a veteran, crediting hours studying guards such as Luka Doncic, Milos Teodosic and Trae Young, while picking up little things from practicing with Facundo Campazzo during his time in Madrid. Like many of the aforementioned guards, he's not afraid to try and fit passes into tight windows or take big shots down the stretch of important games, which have been key traits for successful international guards before him.
Italy isn't known as the most athletic league, however, and Spagnolo's finishing struggles (46% at the rim) and lack of blow-by speed figure to be even more pronounced as the level of competition rises. Cremona is also toward the bottom of the Italian League standings, fighting to avoid relegation to the second division, so his production does come with a caveat. Spagnolo has a long way to go on the defensive end of the floor, as he doesn't always play with the necessary energy and discipline to overcome his average foot speed and limited overall range, both on and off the ball.
>But, like we saw with Lithuanian guard Rokas Jokubaitis last draft (No. 34 to the New York Knicks), there's clear draft-and-stash value in an international guard with positional size, shooting touch, creativity, feel and confidence. With Spagnolo under contract with Real Madrid for two additional seasons, whoever drafts him wouldn't have to use a roster spot on the Brindisi native until he's almost 22 years old, giving him the time and in-game reps to continue improving as a defender, finisher, and spot-up shooter (he's made only three catch-and-shoot jumpers all season). Should Spagnolo make a run at the NBA as a 21-year-old, there's a better chance he'd be able to have an Austin Reaves type of impact as a rookie.
Spagnolo -- an Italian national team mainstay -- has firmly planted himself on the NBA radar this season, and will remain a player team executives study closely as he continues to produce in Italy. -- Mike Schmitz
January 26, 2022: (Top 100) -- Few international prospects have improved their respective draft stock more than 19-year-old Italian Matteo Spagnolo (No. 43), who is in the midst of a breakout season with Cremona in the Italian first division and is in the running for the best European lead guard in this class. On loan from Spanish powerhouse Real Madrid, Spagnolo is one of only five teenagers in all of high-level Europe playing at least 25 minutes per game, leading that group in scoring (12.0 PPG) and 3-point percentage (48.6%). We evaluated Spagnolo during a home game against Sassari and conducted an hour-long film session with him after, getting a better feel for how he sees the game and his approach, which coaches and evaluators have long raved about.
In his first real professional season, Spagnolo has dazzled with his off-the-dribble shooting, creativity in pick-and-roll and flashes of ball screen brilliance. More comfortable with his patented crossover, mid-range pull-up than long-range 3s coming into this season, Spagnolo is starting to knock down step-back triples with more regularity, even pulling from NBA range with teams darting under screens. Calm and even keel on the floor, he's able to use his 6-5, 198-pound frame to keep his defender on his hip before making an off-the-dribble pass to an open teammate or re-accelerating to the rim into a finesse finish. Although more wired to score than facilitate, he snakes ball screens like a veteran, crediting hours studying guards such as Luka Doncic, Milos Teodosic and Trae Young, while picking up little things from practicing with Facundo Campazzo during his time in Madrid. Like many of the aforementioned guards, he's not afraid to try and fit passes into tight windows or take big shots down the stretch of important games, which have been key traits for successful international guards before him.
Italy isn't known as the most athletic league, however, and Spagnolo's finishing struggles (46% at the rim) and lack of blow-by speed figure to be even more pronounced as the level of competition rises. Cremona is also toward the bottom of the Italian League standings, fighting to avoid relegation to the second division, so his production does come with a caveat. Spagnolo has a long way to go on the defensive end of the floor, as he doesn't always play with the necessary energy and discipline to overcome his average foot speed and limited overall range, both on and off the ball.
>But, like we saw with Lithuanian guard Rokas Jokubaitis last draft (No. 34 to the New York Knicks), there's clear draft-and-stash value in an international guard with positional size, shooting touch, creativity, feel and confidence. With Spagnolo under contract with Real Madrid for two additional seasons, whoever drafts him wouldn't have to use a roster spot on the Brindisi native until he's almost 22 years old, giving him the time and in-game reps to continue improving as a defender, finisher, and spot-up shooter (he's made only three catch-and-shoot jumpers all season). Should Spagnolo make a run at the NBA as a 21-year-old, there's a better chance he'd be able to have an Austin Reaves type of impact as a rookie.
Spagnolo -- an Italian national team mainstay -- has firmly planted himself on the NBA radar this season, and will remain a player team executives study closely as he continues to produce in Italy. -- Mike Schmitz
Collin Gillespie
6'3"195 lbs Villanova
6'3"195 lbs Villanova
13 POS RK
62 OVR RK
Pre-Draft Analysis
April 6, 2022: (2022 NBA mock draft: Where they rank following the Final Four) -- Gillespie did all he could to try and shoulder the load with teammate Justin Moore out, making 5-of-8 from 3 on his way to 17 points in 39 minutes, yet it wasn't enough to hang with high-powered Kansas. Gillespie finishes his five-year career as one of the most decorated players in Villanova history, scoring over 1,800 pounds to go along with 449 rebounds and 482 assists in 156 career games. Despite battling injury, Gillespie has been a stabilizing force for coach Jay Wright as a four-year starter, and he finished his senior season as the second-most efficient half-court scorer in college basketball behind only Iowa's Keegan Murray.
Gillespie isn't dynamic with the ball, which doesn't take long to notice as Villanova played with the 347th fastest pace in the country according to Kenpom.com. He plays a relatively methodical and calculated style, even operating out of the post like Jalen Brunson did in college. While a sound passer, he's not a special facilitator. He's limited around the rim as a finisher, mostly ground-bound without a floater in his arsenal (he attempted just one all season). He's far from a physical outlier at around 6-2, 195 with a 6-3 wingspan, similar measurements to former Wildcats such as Ryan Arcidiacono and Brunson, and former Oregon standout Payton Pritchard, which is bound to lead to questions marks about his defensive versatility despite clear toughness and feel on that end.
But the 22-year-old guard is a career 39% 3-point shooter on almost 900 attempts and brings a level of competitiveness and experience to the floor. From Brunson to Arcidiacono to Josh Hart to Donte DiVincenzo, Villanova guards always seem to find a way to stick as a result of their winning habits, and Gillespie could be next in line, in large part due to his shooting. Of the 14 players to take at least 300 jump shots this season, no player was more efficient than Gillespie, who also shot 90% from the free throw line. With his steady NCAA career now in the books, Gillespie will have a chance to prove himself outside of the Villanova system, either at the NBA combine (if he were to land an invite) or the Portsmouth Invitational in a couple weeks. Even if Gillespie doesn't get drafted, he shares some of the intangible qualities we've seen from undrafted success stories ranging from T.J. McConnell to Fred VanVleet. -- Mike Schmitz
April 6, 2022: (2022 NBA mock draft: Where they rank following the Final Four) -- Gillespie did all he could to try and shoulder the load with teammate Justin Moore out, making 5-of-8 from 3 on his way to 17 points in 39 minutes, yet it wasn't enough to hang with high-powered Kansas. Gillespie finishes his five-year career as one of the most decorated players in Villanova history, scoring over 1,800 pounds to go along with 449 rebounds and 482 assists in 156 career games. Despite battling injury, Gillespie has been a stabilizing force for coach Jay Wright as a four-year starter, and he finished his senior season as the second-most efficient half-court scorer in college basketball behind only Iowa's Keegan Murray.
Gillespie isn't dynamic with the ball, which doesn't take long to notice as Villanova played with the 347th fastest pace in the country according to Kenpom.com. He plays a relatively methodical and calculated style, even operating out of the post like Jalen Brunson did in college. While a sound passer, he's not a special facilitator. He's limited around the rim as a finisher, mostly ground-bound without a floater in his arsenal (he attempted just one all season). He's far from a physical outlier at around 6-2, 195 with a 6-3 wingspan, similar measurements to former Wildcats such as Ryan Arcidiacono and Brunson, and former Oregon standout Payton Pritchard, which is bound to lead to questions marks about his defensive versatility despite clear toughness and feel on that end.
But the 22-year-old guard is a career 39% 3-point shooter on almost 900 attempts and brings a level of competitiveness and experience to the floor. From Brunson to Arcidiacono to Josh Hart to Donte DiVincenzo, Villanova guards always seem to find a way to stick as a result of their winning habits, and Gillespie could be next in line, in large part due to his shooting. Of the 14 players to take at least 300 jump shots this season, no player was more efficient than Gillespie, who also shot 90% from the free throw line. With his steady NCAA career now in the books, Gillespie will have a chance to prove himself outside of the Villanova system, either at the NBA combine (if he were to land an invite) or the Portsmouth Invitational in a couple weeks. Even if Gillespie doesn't get drafted, he shares some of the intangible qualities we've seen from undrafted success stories ranging from T.J. McConnell to Fred VanVleet. -- Mike Schmitz
Pippen Jr was next but he's too short at 6'2" ... Mohammed (Georgetown) ranked 73rd overall and 15th in PGs could be there as undrafted has size at 6'5" ...
Next up: Wings then Bigs