Hoops Habit
Fansided

2014 NBA Draft: Cincinnati’s Sean Kilpatrick Player Profile

By Nathan Giese

Jan 26, 2014; Philadelphia, PA, USA; Cincinnati Bearcats guard Sean Kilpatrick (23) brings the ball up court during the first half against the Temple Owls at the Liacouras Center. Cincinnati defeated Temple 80-76. Mandatory Credit: Howard Smith-USA TODAY Sports
Jan 26, 2014; Philadelphia, PA, USA; Cincinnati Bearcats guard Sean Kilpatrick (23) brings the ball up court during the first half against the Temple Owls at the Liacouras Center. Cincinnati defeated Temple 80-76. Mandatory Credit: Howard Smith-USA TODAY Sports /
facebooktwitterreddit
Prev
2 of 5
Next

Strengths: 

One of Kilpatrick’s best qualities is not measured in stats: it’s his intensity, that fire he plays with each and every game. He works at such a high level it makes up for his lack of pure athleticism. He outworks his opponents on every possession. That’s what his edge is and that’s his biggest attribute. It’s immeasurable  and it’s something few other players have in this draft class.

But what about something you can sink your teeth into? Kilpatrick works great in transition. He finished 54 percent of his shot attempts on the fast break. Not fantastic, but he often looked to pass to open teammates in those cases as well, assisting 18 percent of the time on the run. He connected on 64 percent of his shot attempts off of cuts to the ball and to the basket. Kilpatrick is a good spot-up shooter and likes having the ball in his hands, working on pick-and-roll plays as the ball handler over 18 percent of the time on offense.

On defense, Sean fights through screens harder than most 6’4″ guards. He held opponents to 26 percent on shot attempts off of screens. He held jump shooters to an average of 29 percent shooting from the field on the season. He’s aggressive with his man on defense and gets them rattled. It resembles Tony Allen in a way, just get in the man’s space and let him make the mistakes for you.

Mar 20, 2014; Spokane, WA, USA; Harvard Crimson guard/forward Wesley Saunders (23, left) dribbles against Cincinnati Bearcats guard Sean Kilpatrick (23) in the second half of a men
Mar 20, 2014; Spokane, WA, USA; Harvard Crimson guard/forward Wesley Saunders (23, left) dribbles against Cincinnati Bearcats guard Sean Kilpatrick (23) in the second half of a men /

Weaknesses: 

Although aggressive, Kilpatrick often lets his man get away from him and rise up for a jumper on the dribble, a situation he allowed 42 percent shooting on last season. He’s not very fast and wants to wear you down physically on defense. If you can maintain your composure and get him off the dribble, Kilpatrick is very susceptible to giving up dribble-drive jumpers.

He’s an average jump shooter, only hitting 34 percent of those opportunities. He hit 42 percent from the field overall but a lot of those shots were in the paint, on drives and midrange, short jumpers. He’s a big body and can bully opponents in the paint, but when he’s forced to take jumpers and stay out of the paint, he’s weak. His three-point percentage has dropped since his freshman year, so although he can still hit from outside, he just can’t on a remarkably consistent basis.

There are going to be knocks him because he’s already 24 years old. He’s not the guy you’re going to look to for UPSIDE. He’s done some great things in his collegiate career and now he’ll have to fight his way into the NBA.

Home/NBA Draft