Timothe Luwawu, Mega Leks
Measurements
Height: 6-7, Weight: 205, Age: 21
Season Stats
31.2 mpg 15.3 ppg 4.7 rpg 2.7 apg 1.9 spg 0.3 bpg 2.9 tpg 3.7 fpg .410 FG% .381 3P%, .709 FT%
Luwawu, a French native currently playing in Serbia, has all the tools to be an excellent 3-and-D wing player, with the upside for more. Luwawu is a smooth, coordinated player that has the vertical and horizontal athleticism to be a plus defender of both 2s and 3s, though big 3s might give him trouble. He is an opportunistic defender who gets a lot of steals, occasionally at the expense of solid defense. Offensively, he has improved his shooting this year, though his low release might cap his upside shooting off the dribble or in contested situations. He can handle the ball when given space and is an explosive finisher at the rim, though he requires some polish when it comes to contested finishes. His best role in the NBA is spotting up for threes, cutting to the basket, and attacking close-outs off the dribble. He has shown solid vision and the ability to find teammates, which would be bonus once the defense is rotating, after Luwawu attacks a close out.
Projected Draft Range: 10-20
Taurean Prince, Baylor
Measurements
Height: 6-8, Weight: 217, Wingspan: 6-11.5, Reach: 8-10.5 Age: 21
Season Stats
30.4 mpg 15.0 ppg 5.6 rpg 2.3 apg 1.5 spg, 0.7 bpg 2.7 tpg 2.3 fpg .427 FG% .351 3P% .830 FT%
Prince, who is young for a Senior, was off the radar his first two seasons at Baylor, but broke out as a Junior, showing a nice outside shot and toughness. His three-point percentage is down this season, to a more averag 35%, but he is converting free throws at a much higher rate, giving hope he can shoot more in the 37-40% range from three long term. Another aspect Prince has shown offensively this season is improvement as a playmaker, it is not at a level that you want him creating much offense yet, but he can be a positive ball-mover. Prince has shown toughness as a finisher and some off the dribble prowess, again not something you ask him to do often, but he can attack close-outs at the worst.
Defensively, Prince is very exciting. He plays in a zone at Baylor, but in academies and international tournaments he has played man-to-man and showed a fluidity and toughness defensively that makes you think, with his length and frame, that he could defend some 4s in a small-ball lineup.
Projected Draft Range: 15-30
Paul Zipser, Bayern Muenchen
Measurements
Height: 6-8, Weight: 210, Age: 21
Season Stats
17.5 mpg 6.9 ppg 3.8 rpg 1.37 apg 0.5 spg 0.6 bpg 0.9 tpg 2.3 fpg .511 FG% .405 3P% .839 FT%
A native of Germany, Paul Zipser plays limited minutes in his home country but could develop into NBA rotation player. Zipser is an excellent athlete, a very good leader comfortable playing at full speed. He doesn't appear to have tremendous length, which might hold him back on the defensive end some, but he plays very hard on that end and is able to make a spectacular block or two.
Offensively, he has been at least a 40% three point shooter the last several seasons, so there can be confidence he will at least be league average shooting the ball. Zipser's athletic ability comes into play, he is a bouncy slasher attacking the basket and you would hope that would translate to cutting and attack off of close-outs in the NBA. Zipser's years of playing in advanced schemes against men and professionals cannot be understated, it is a distinct advantage over most rookies and should help him be more ready to play early on.
Projected Draft Range: 20-40
Jarrod Uthoff, Iowa
Measurements
Height: 6-9.5, Weight: 216, Age: 23
Season Stats
30.7 mpg 18.8 ppg 6.5 rpg 1.1 apg 0.7 spg 2.9 bpg 1.1 tpg 1.7 fpg .457 FG% .416 3P% .817 FT%
Uthoff has really taken off this year, improving in every area despite playing just about the same minutes per game. Uthoff is a skilled player who can really shoot the ball, even some off the dribble, and handle the ball well. He has flashed passing ability, but it isn't something he does a whole lot of yet. From Uthoff, you'll want him to be a floor spacer that can make an occasional play off the bounce. His size will help him get his shot off, and he might even be able to play a little 4 in certain match ups, though you would be sacrificing post defense and rebounding.
Defensively, Uthoff might struggle. He lacks strength and isn't particularly long or a great athlete, though he flashes some explosiveness and had a knack for blocking shots. it might be an uphill battle for Uthoff the make a roster, but his shooting and IQ is attractive, if the defense can sort itself out.
Projected Draft Range: Second round to undrafted
Dorian Finney-Smith, Florida
Measurement
Height: 6-7.5 Weight: 214 Wingspan: 6-11 Age: 23
Season Stats
31.8 mpg 14.9 ppg 8.4 rpg 2.1 apg 0.8 spg 0.8 bpg 2.0 tpg 2.0 fpg .452 FG% .382 3P% .748 FT%
After a season at Virginia Tech, Finney-Smith transferred to Florida where he has averaged twenty-five minutes a game or more for three seasons. The last two, Finney-Smith has really found his shooting stroke, making 40% of 259 three point attempts. At his size, that is an excellent number and bodes well for his chances in the NBA, particularly if he can play some small ball 4. He isn't a great slasher, but can take an open lane and finish powerfully at the rim.
Finney-Smith has a strong frame and good athletic ability to project as at least an average NBA defender, despite so-so length. If his shooting continues and he can develop into a good defender, Finney-Smith could be a classic 3-and-D wing role player who can also add some value on the glass. At 23, Finney-Smith might lack much upside, but the hope is he could carve out a role in the NBA by maximizing his strengths.
Projected Draft Range: Second round to undrafted
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