Photo: AP/Julie Jacobson
Name: Anthony Marshall Age: 22 School: UNLV
Height: 6’3 Weight: 200 Projected Position: PG/SG
2012-13 Stats:
10.4 ppg, 4.1 rpg, 5.8 apg, 1.3 spg, 2.7 tpg (33.9 minutes per game)
47.2 FG%, 67.4 FT%, 36.9 3FG%, 2.1:1 A/TO
57.9 TS%, 54.7 eFG%, 17.1 USG%, 32.9 AST%
SKILLS & ATHLETIC BREAKDOWN
Offense
Perimeter Shooting
Marshall is an average perimeter shooter. Most of the time, he does a good job getting square to the basket, but his release point can be low. This can cause him to not get ideal arc on his shot. He can hit from long-range when he has space, but the low release point means he needs a good amount of time and space to get the shot off. He is much better when he can use a dribble or two to get into his shot. He uses screens well as a ballhandler to create room for his shot, but he needs to watch rushing the shot or falling away from the basket. He moves well without the ball, but he needs to come tighter off of screens ready to shoot. He uses his dribble well to create space and if you backpedal on him, he will shoot. I would like to see him look to use this ability more in the mid-range area. Shot selection has improved and he doesn’t force many bad jumpers, but because he takes extra time from long-range, defenders can close quicker on him, forcing him to try and adjust.
Penetration/Post Play
Marshall doesn’t have a very quick first step, but he uses his dribble well to create space and get defenders off-balance. He does a good job going to both his left and his right, though he will still look to finish around the basket with his left hand on both sides of the rim. He does a good job keeping his head up as he tries to weave through the defense and he has improved his ability to find open teammates if help comes to stop him. He is creative in finding ways to get shots off around the rim, though the results are not always pretty. He is uses his strength well to make room for his shot. A key area he needs to work on his getting a consistent floater/short jumper so he doesn’t end up getting stuck if the help defense is ready to stop him.
Marshall uses his strength well to isolate and post-up smaller guards and he is able to create close shots or create space for his teammates. He is able to do this on either side of the basket and he is creative in finding space for his shot.
Ballhandling
Marshall is an above-average ballhandler, able to use both hands well and doing a very good job protecting the ball. He has a good crossover and a decent change of pace dribble which allow him to create space and get defenders off-balance. He has improved how he handles pressure and is quick to get the ball out of potential traps. Marshall needs to remember to keep control and to anticipate where he will be able to go off the dribble and what potential options should open up if he looks to penetrate.
Passing Skills
Marshall has above-average court vision and can be a good passer. Marshall keeps his head up, especially when going to the basket, and he is able to find teammates, usually around the basket, if the help converges. He has to watch over-penetrating in the lane and getting caught without a good passing option. He needs to do a better job making reads when coming off of screens. UNLV didn’t feature the pick-and-roll often, if at all, most nights, so seeing whether Marshall can find the balance between making the right read and keeping his aggressiveness will be important to his development. One other area Marshall needs to improve is in finding his teammates quicker. He will often recognize openings on the court, but he needs to get the ball out sooner.
Free Throw Shooting
Marshall is an average free throw shooter with a consistent routine at the line. He stops for a split second at the top of his motion before he releases the ball, but it doesn’t seem to affect his shot much. The release point is low, as with his jumper, so it could have a “line drive” effect. Marshall does a good job getting to the line in relation to the amount of shots he takes. His key will be to convert more often.
Defense
Perimeter Defense (On/Off Ball)
Marshall does a good job positioning himself well on the ballhandler, but he needs to improve his lateral movement. He can be slow to anticipate and ends up chasing instead of moving with the ball. He is capable of pressuring the ballhandler, and he can be a very physical defender if necessary. Marshall needs to do a better job reading and getting over the top of screens against shooters. Also, Marshall needs to work on being able to position himself in ways that he can direct the ballhandler’s action. Off the ball, Marshall generally positions himself well, though he can get caught watching the ball too much and this can get him turned around and unable to stay with his man or help if needed. He does a good job looking to jump or disrupt passing lanes but needs to watch falling for pass fakes. He also needs to work on navigating through screens off the ball, making sure not to let his man get a lot of room and finding ways to get through screens in the lane area. He picks his spots well when he looks to step into the lane and help or to double-team in certain instances. His defensive awareness needs improvement, especially reading the whole court on the defensive end. He closes well on shooters, but he needs to do a better job not falling for shot fakes.
Rebounding
Marshall rebounds well for his size, doing a strong job anticipating missed shots and looking to beat people to the spot, though he isn’t afraid to get in among the bigger players to try and get the ball. Marshall’s ability to rebound the ball allows him to start the team in transition quickly.
Transition
Marshall can be very good in transition, both pushing the ball up court himself and running the wings. As the ballhandler on the break, Marshall gets the ball up court quickly, and looks to get space to get to the basket. One area he can improve is his ability to draw the defense and find open teammates. If he gets the ball on the wing, he is good at being aggressive and going straight to the basket.
Intangibles/Summary
Marshall did a very good job taking over the point guard duties full-time this season, but his greatest strength is still as a scorer. He is strong and creative in the lane area, and his ability to draw fouls would be a benefit if he hit more of his free throws. Defensively, he has to tighten up, both on and off the ball, but he has the ability to be a good physical defender if he improves his lateral movement and awareness. He understands how to run in transition effectively and he still has some room to grow as a point guard
Draft Value: Late 2nd – #52-60 to Undrafted
Marshall has very good physical tools, but he needs to still develop some key parts to his game. He showed a lot by handling his point guards duties well this year and there will certainly be teams interested in seeing how he matches up against others in his class. Even if he isn’t drafted, I wouldn’t count him out
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