NBA Draft 2013: Providence’s Ricky Ledo Player Profile

With the NBA Draft scant hours away, HoopsHabit.com continues its previews with a look at some of the top prospects, including:

SG Ricky Ledo, Providence, 6’6”, 197 lbs

2012-13 stats: Did not play, academically ineligible

The Skinny

Perhaps the biggest wild card in the draft, Ricky Ledo left Providence after one year and did not play in a single game for the Friars after becoming academically ineligible. However, the 20-year-old was a McDonald’s All-American as a high-school senior at South Kent School in South Kent, Conn., so he is not a complete unknown.

Strengths

Ledo has great size for a 2 and has great scoring instincts. He has great ball-handling skills—he was used as a point guard often in high school—and can create separation off the dribble, creating his own shot from all over the court and is adept at changing speeds. He is a willing passer who sees the floor well, again because of his time at the point, and can play multiple positions on either end of the court. He finishes well with either hand, making him even tougher to defend.

Here is some video from Ledo’s draft workouts in Houston with former NBA player and coach John Lucas:

Weaknesses

He’s used to playing with the ball in his hands and may struggle to adjust playing off it. He can have trouble with contact because he lacks upper-body strength. His shooting mechanics are inconsistent and his shot selection can also be spotty at times. He lacks experience against top-notch college competition and hasn’t played in game conditions in more than a year. He’s used to being the No. 1 option and some scouts are concerned whether or not he can adapt to a role or to a team setting.

Here’s Ledo’s work at the NBA Draft Combine:

Potential Landing Spots

Ledo’s talent dictates a higher selection, but the red flags and the fact he didn’t play at all last season will likely drive him to the end of the first round or perhaps the early second round on draft night.

Teams That Make Sense

Oklahoma City Thunder: The Thunder have been looking for an elite-level shooting guard—Thabo Sefolosha isn’t one—and Ledo has the raw talent to fill the bill. Oklahoma City might take a flyer on Ledo and work with him in the D-League early on.

Phoenix Suns: The Suns desperately need offense and might decide to take a risk on Ledo, deciding that his upside outweighs the concerns many scouts have. A project as part of a rebuild isn’t the worst idea in the world.

Indiana Pacers: For a team looking to upgrade its scoring punch off the bench, Ledo might prove to be a risk worth taking. Indiana’s second unit got exposed repeatedly during the playoffs; Ledo might help that group at least hold its own.