2016 NBA Draft Watch List: Denzel Valentine

Denzel Valentine, Senior, Michigan State, Guard, 6’5, 220

(2014-15, 33.2 mpg) 14.5 ppg, 6.3 rpg, 4.3 apg, 0.9 spg, 2.4 tpg

44.3 FG%, 82.6 FT%, 41.6 3FG%, 58.4 TS%, 55.7 eFG%

24.2 USG%, 17.6 DREB%, 11.2 TRB%, 26.9 AST%, 1.7 STL%

DOB: 11/16/1993 (21)

2015 Third Team All-Big Ten

2015 Pan American Games

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Valentine had to take on a more prominent role for the Spartans last season, and he more than delivered. With Branden Dawson and Travis Trice now graduated, Valentine will need to take his game up one last time for Coach Tom Izzo. Valentine continued to show improvement as a perimeter shooter, both mid- and long-range. He is a good long-range spot shooter, and he uses his dribble and screens well to hit his mid-range jumper. Valentine has great court awareness and he sees the floor very well. He is an effective passer from the perimeter, high post, or off the dribble, though he still needs to work on knowing when it’s a good idea to hold back on a pass. He’s not very quick, but he is an above-average ballhandler, and he uses his dribble and strength well to get into the defense, or to create in isolation. He also has the ability to lead the Spartans in transition, getting the ball up the floor quickly and making good decisions, or running one of the wings and spotting up behind the arc. Defensively, Valentine positions himself well, and though not very quick, he moves his feet well. His ability to guard multiple positions, sometimes three or four per game, allows Izzo some versatility with his lineups. Valentine plays bigger than he actually is, using his body well to guard bigger opponents. He closes well on shooters, and he does a good job tracking shots and getting in position to rebound.

What he needs to show this season: Valentine proved last year that he can be a leader, but it was easier with seniors Dawson and Trice. The Spartans are his team this year, and if they are going to make another run towards the Final Four, it will be on Valentine’s back. He is very vocal both on the floor and when he is on the bench. Valentine has started to rely more and more on his jumper, not using his strength to try and get to the basket, where he can be an effective scorer. It helps that he can use either hand around the basket, but he needs to work on initiating and scoring through contact. Defensively, Valentine guards multiple positions, but at the next level, he will be need to be able to contain wings better on the perimeter, which means working on getting quicker and reacting better. Also, he can have some trouble when trying to get over or through screens, so he needs to work on finding angles when chasing off the ball, though he did show some improvement last season.

Where he fits at the next level: Valentine may not excel in any one area right now, but he does so much for the team when he is on the floor, somewhat in the way that Dawson and Draymond Green have for the Spartans in the past. Becoming a better long-range shooter helps his case for the next level, and it’s easy to see in his play why Coach Izzo isn’t afraid to use him in multiple roles. The term “plays the game the right way” is often overused, but it describes Valentine perfectly, and he may be one of the most underrated players in the NCAA right now. As long as his offense continues to develop, and he keeps up his defensive intensity, the NBA should be in his future.

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