2015 NBA Draft Watch List: Sophomores, Part Five

The college basketball season has started and the road to the 2015 NBA Draft has begun.  I’ll continue to take early looks at players who are already on the NBA’s radar, or have enough skill or potential to break through this season.

The sophomore class is strong, with many prospective NBA players who chose to come back for an additional year of school.

These are not meant to replace scouting reports, which will come out later in the season.  These are not all-inclusive and just meant as a brief primer for those who want to track draft prospects throughout the season.  These are also not in any particular order other than who I choose to write about each post.

Jordan Mickey, Louisiana State, Forward, 6’8, 235

(2013-14, 32.8 mpg) 12.8 ppg, 7.9 rpg, 1.1 apg, 3.1 bpg

53.4 FG%, 69.5 FT%, 56.6 TS%, 53.4 eFG%

19.9 USG%, 7.5 OREB%, 18.0 DREB%, 12.8 REB%, 9.2 BLK%

Last season, Hickey joined with fellow freshman Jarrell Martin and 2014 NBA draftee Johnny O’Bryant to form one of the SEC’s best frontcourts. The season culminated with Mickey being named to the All-SEC Second Team, as well as the All-SEC defensive team. Mickey has good length and high athleticism, which help him on both ends of the court. Defensively, he handles himself well in the post, even against taller opponents, and his length and leaping ability make him on of the country’s best rim protectors. Even if he’s not blocking shots, he has the ability to alter them in the lane and on the perimeter. Hickey also uses his athleticism well to get to rebounds quickly on both ends of the floor, often getting out to the perimeter to chase long rebounds. On offense, Mickey is quick to get shots off of offensive rebounds, though he can be a bit out of control at times. He is also very good at running the floor, where his ability to finish at the rim makes him a great target for ballhandlers.  Mickey has the ability to take his man off the dribble, though only to his right and only a couple of dribbles.

What he needs to show this season: Mickey was still very raw last season, especially on the offensive end of the floor. His post moves can be slow and awkward, and since he likes to shoot with his right hand as much as possible, he sometimes brings the ball closer to his defender. Also, he needs to have a better sense of the defense before he makes his move, seeing the floor and knowing where the help could be coming from. Being able to finish with his left hand around the basket will be important, and though he has good body control, he should look to draw and finish through contact more often. Getting stronger should come as he matures, and he already looks like he has added some muscle before this season. Mickey has shown some ability to step out and hit mid-range jumpers, though he needs to be more consistent, especially with his motion. On defense, he prefers to play with his upper body on the defender in the post, as many shot blockers do, but this gives him balance problems against stronger offensive players. He needs to learn to use his lower body to defend more on the block. When guarding on the perimeter, he seems to do everything right, though his reaction to his man’s movements is slow, and he ends up chasing them from behind.  Mickey’s ability to disrupt on the defensive end will be his ticket to the next level, but the rest of his game is still catching up. With O’Bryant now in the NBA, Mickey should have the opportunities to work on the parts of his game he needs this season.

Jabari Bird, California, Guard, 6’6, 198

(2013-14, 20.0 mpg) 8.3 ppg, 2.0 rpg, 1.1 apg

42.5 FG%, 80.4 FT% 32.3 3FG%, 52.8 TS%, 49.3 eFG%

23.2 USG%, 10.7 AST%, 1.2 STL%

There were high expectations for Bird coming into the California program, coming off being named a McDonald’s All-American.  Long and athletic, Bird can be a match-up problem at the shooting guard position. He is a good long-range shooter, especially if he has time to get his feet set. He has a quick, consistent motion and release, and range out to the NBA three-point line. Bird moves well off the ball, though he has to continue improving his ability to come off of screens tighter and ready to shoot. He is an average ballhandler, able to attack the basket left or right, and with the ability to finish strong at the rim. Bird is a good option in transition, able to push the ball himself up the floor, or running one of the wings, where he can take the ball off the dribble to the rim, or spot up behind the arc. Defensively, Bird uses his length well to disrupt passing lanes, and having the awareness and instincts to close off gaps quickly.

What he needs to show this season: Bird’s offense was inconsistent last season, which isn’t unusual for a freshman. Shot selection, especially behind the arc, was an issue at times. Even with Bird’s quick release, he would force jumpers when well covered. Also, he has some problems shooting jumpers off the dribble, letting his body drift in the direction of his dribble and causing shots to be off. While he doesn’t have a great first step, Bird uses long strides to get to the basket, and it’s a weapon he should use more often. At times, it seemed like he pulled up short on his dribble drive for no reason, even if he could get into the lane. Bird is a very good free throw shooter, and being able to attack the basket and draw contact would add up to easy points. Defensively, he positions himself well, but his lateral movement and foot speed is inconsistent, and he has some problems against aggressive players who like to attack off the dribble. Physically, Bird needs to work on getting stronger, but that should come in time. He has the tools to make it to the NBA, he just needs to continue to work on putting his physical abilities, skills, and the mental part of the game together.

Rysheed Jordan, St. John’s, Guard, 6’4, 193

(2013-14, 26.2 mpg) 9.7 ppg, 3.1 rpg, 3.0 apg, 1.2 spg

41.7 FG%, 66.3 FT%, 27.9 3FG%, 49.1 TS%, 45.2 eFG%

23.4 USG%, 1.4:1 A/TO, 22.5 AST%, 2.8 STL%,

There was a lot of excitement when Jordan chose to attend St. John’s, and he showed at times last season what all the hype was about. Jordan has good size at the point guard position, with a first step which may be one of the best in college basketball. He is a strong ballhandler, with the ability to attack the basket with either hand. His strength is getting into the lane and to the basket, where he uses his speed and size to weave his way through the defense. Jordan also has the ability to create space for his jumper off the dribble, and though inconsistent last season, his ability to get off the floor quickly makes his shot tough to stop. He has good court vision, though he can become fixated on certain targets, and his passes are strong, but erratic at times.  Jordan is extremely quick in transition, with the ability to get to the basket, or pull up for the mid-range jumper. Defensively, Jordan positions himself well on the ball, and has good lateral movement. He can pick the ball up full court if needed, and his quick hands can be a problem for sloppy ballhandlers.

What he needs to show this season:  Jordan’s freshman season had the normal highs and lows, but it was during the low moments where you saw just how much work he needed before he thinks about the next level. His decision making in general is questionable, whether it’s shot selection, getting stuck in the defense, or forcing bad passes. Shot selection was a problem for most of the St. John’s team last year, but Jordan would often settle for quick shots, especially long jumpers, before the offense could even get set. His speed allows him to get into the lane easily, but that same speed often puts him in bad situations with teams that help well defensively. While a good passer, he can make some bad decisions or get lazy with his passes. At times, the best thing he can do to improve is slow himself, and the game, down a bit to get a better read on his options. Defensively, he has similar lapses, where he will defend well for 10 or 15 seconds, and just have a letdown, where his man gets by him easily. Jordan also needs to work on some basics, such as getting over screens, and learning to play angles to force his man into the help. Jordan has a bright future, with the physical gifts and skills to be a special player. He just needs to focus more on learning the game and making the right reads and decisions.