Russ Smith Scouting Report

After winning a National Championship with Louisville and leading his team in scoring at 18.7 points per game, Russ Smith has declared for the NBA draft, forgoing his eligibility for the Cardinals. But how does this flashy, college scorer translate to the NBA?

Strengths: First off, Russ Smith is as quick as they come, most college defenders were unable to keep him in front of them in the half court. Smith is an advanced ballhandler and can use a variety of moves, though most of the time his quickness will get him by at the college level. In transition, Smith is a nightmare, blazing, one-man-fastbreak who will run the ball down opponents backs in the open floor. Smith is a good leaper who can get off the ground quickly and hang in the air, able to contort his body well. There's no denying that Smith can get his own shot and get open looks when he wants. He is a streaky shooter who can get hot from deep and hit several in a row. Smith also has a knack for picking up steals (2.1 a game) and is a willing defender who will pressure the ball. He can draw fouls a high rate as well. Smith is extremely well liked by his teammates and a leader on his team.

Weaknesses: To begin with Smith is severely undersized for his position of 2 guard, listed 6-1, he's more
likely 6-0 or 5-11 as well as being around 160-170 range in weight, that's Kemba Walker range for size (though Walker is a little taller), and Walker has had trouble finishing at the NBA level, as will Smith at that size, especially since he already struggles at the college level. Walker went 9th overall in 2011, but he's a point guard, Smith is far from that. He thinks shoot first, second, and third and hasn't shown much ability create for teammates. I don't think he's a selfish player, so much as scoring is what he is good at, therefore that's what he does. Smith's shot selection at times is also pretty poor, he can get hot from 3, but overall shot  it at just 33% from deep, yet he still took 189 threes over the course of the season. Overall, the shot selection problem led to an efficiency problem, as Smith only shot it at 41% on the year, and that's not going to go up in the NBA. The other issue regarding Smith's size is his defense, he will be physically overmatched defensively against NBA point guards, let alone NBA two guards, his natural position. Can be turnover prone as well, will force things.

Overall: Smith is a very undersized, somewhat one-dimensional scorer who needs to either become a much, much better shooter or improve his point guard skills and shot selection because undersized, low-effieciency 2 guards don't last. He'll need to make himself into a Jason Terry-type of player if he wants to make it in this league. I think Smith gets drafted in the second round and makes it on an NBA roster, but where he goes from there will be to him.