2016 NBA Draft Watch List: Jameel Warney

Jameel Warney, Senior, Stony Brook, Forward, 6’8, 260

(2014-15, 33.0 mpg) 16.4 ppg, 11.7 rpg, 2.0 apg, 0.7 spg, 2.5 bpg, 1.7 tpg

53.8 FG%, 57.4 FT%, 54.7 TS%, 53.8 eFG%

26.1 USG%, 14.1 OREB%, 26.1 DREB%, 19.9 TRB%, 8.8 BLK%

DOB: 1/31/1994 (21) Hometown: Plainfield, New Jersey

2015 America East Player of the Year (2^nd Consecutive Year)

2015 America East Defensive Player of the Year

The Watch List is not meant to replace full scouting reports and is only meant as a guide for who and what to watch for this upcoming season

Warney has been a dominant force in the America East since his freshman season, when he was named conference Rookie of the Year. He has now won the conference Player of the Year in back-to-back seasons, and was also named the Defensive Player of the Year, after finishing the season averaging a double-double in points and rebounds, including finishing second in the nation in rebounding, along with 2 ½ blocks per game. Warney, 6’8 with a big build, is a force in the paint on both ends of the floor. His offense has become a bit more versatile, though still limited to within 10 feet of the basket, for the most part. Warney uses his big body well to get and maintain position in the low post, with the ability to seal off his defender to also open up lanes for his teammates. He has good hands, allowing his teammates to try and get him passes in a variety of ways, and he is capable of making moves from either block in the low post, and over either shoulder. Warney has good touch around the basket, and his short hook with either hand is tough to stop. His moves aren’t very quick, and his ballhandling could be a bit shaky, but even bigger defenders have a tough time trying to stop him as he moves towards the hoop. Warney has gotten used to facing double-teams in the post, and he has become a more effective passer, sensing the double coming and getting the ball out quickly. He is an efficient scorer within 5 feet of the rim, even if he does have trouble at times against longer defenders; he’s helped by having the strength to power his shot up through block attempts. Warney is a very good screener on the perimeter, and he has developed well into a good pick-and-roll option, though he still doesn’t always open up to the ball as well as he could. Warney does need to work on his shooting ability, both in the mid-range area and from the free throw line. The different parts of his shooting mechanics look passable, but the motion in putting them all together can be disjointed. Warney is a problem on the offensive boards, always working to get position and going up and getting the ball while it’s still up high. Even when he doesn’t get the board himself, his activity often leads to a teammate getting it. Defensively, Warney is fundamentally sound, showing good footwork and positioning, and while not very quick, he uses his body and strength well to defend in the post. He does do a good job hedging in pick-and-roll situations, and even if brought out to defend on the perimeter, he moves his feet well enough to contain other 4’s and 5’s. Warney has very good defensive awareness, and you can see him constantly surveying the floor and making sure teammates are where they should be. While not a great leaper, he is a good shot blocker, owing to great timing and extension. As on the offensive end, Warney is a very good rebounder on the defensive end, tracking the ball well, boxing out, and going after the ball instead of waiting for it to fall to him.

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What he needs to show this season: Warney has tried to make his offense more varied over the past few years, but he has often gotten away from his strengths when doing so. While he does have nice touch on his shots, he can get impatient and put up his shots early in his post moves; shots that should be taken within a few feet of the basket, he will take from 10 feet. Working on his jumper should help him more in that mid-range area, and working on his ballhandling could help him be more effective when facing up out of the low post or getting the ball in the high post area. For someone with a power game, Warney doesn’t really get to the free throw line as much as he should; part of it is due to him just overpowering defenders, but he doesn’t take on contact as much as he could with his body. Though shooting less than 60 percent for his career from the free throw line doesn’t help the case for getting him to the line more, so shooting in general needs to be improved. While he has done a good job defending when out on the perimeter and in pick-and-roll situations, he could work on getting a bit quicker and more fluid with his footwork.

Where he fits at the next level: No matter what opposing defenses have thrown at Warney, he still finds ways to make an impact on both ends of the court. A player with his size, skill, and energy, will find a nice niche at the pro level. As for the NBA, teams are starting to get away from players with Warney’s body and game for his size, but he holds his own on defense, and if he can get the shooting part of his game down, teams’ interest should be piqued. It may not happen right away, but he has time to develop the skills he needs to succeed as a pro, and I wouldn’t bet against him having a long career, even in the NBA.

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