2016 NBA Draft Watch List: Damion Lee

Damion Lee, Senior (5^th), Louisville, Guard, 6’6, 210

(2014-15 at Drexel, 38.1 mpg) 21.4 ppg, 6.1 rpg, 2.3 apg, 1.5 spg, 1.9 tpg

43.8 FG%, 88.7 FT%, 38.5 3FG%, 60.1 TS%, 52.2 eFG%

29.2 USG%, 17.2 DREB%, 9.7 REB%, 17.8 AST%, 9.4 TOV%, 2.6 STL%

DOB: 10/21/1992 (23) Hometown: Baltimore, Maryland

2015 First Team All-CAA

2015 CAA All-Defensive Team

2015 CAA All-Academic Team

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

After four years and three seasons at Drexel, Lee is taking a big step up for his final season of eligibility, moving to the ACC and joining a Louisville team in need of scoring help. The 6’6 Lee has good size for the shooting guard spot, and he has the strength and quickness to help him play multiple roles. His biggest strength is his shooting ability, with a consistently quick motion and release, and the ability to hit from long-range off the catch or dribble. Lee has range to the NBA three-point line, and even with his team relying on him for much of the scoring load, his shot selection was generally good. He can force some shots, especially when the team needs points or he’s trying to get going offensively, but even his bad shots really aren’t all that bad. Lee’s ability to shoot from long-range also sets up his mid-range game, as well as his drives to the rim, allowing him to draw out defenders and get them off-balance with a shot fake, before making his move into open space. Lee isn’t as comfortable pulling up off the dribble, and prefers to try and get to the basket, which he does very well. Lee uses screens well to create space, whether with or off the ball, and he has developed some nice secondary moves off the ball to free himself. Lee is an average to above-average ballhandler, with the ability to use his left or right well. While he doesn’t have a great first step or a great speed burst off the dribble, he uses his body well to protect the ball as he maneuvers around defenders. Lee is aggressive when attacking the basket, and he draws a lot of contact, having an outstanding free throw rate of 50.3 for someone who shot 43 percent of his total shots from behind the arc, as well as being one of the best free-throw shooters in the nation. Lee drew a lot of attention from all of Drexel’s opponents, and he has developed into a good passer, especially off of drives to the rims and in pick-and-roll situations. He makes his reads quickly, and though he can still tend to force some passes around the basket, there is a lot of potential for him when he plays in a more open offense with more weapons. Defensively, Lee is an above-average on-ball defender, showing good positioning, stance and movement. His physical skills allow him to guard multiple positions, and he has the ability to pressure the ball when needed. Lee moves well off the ball, denying playing passing lanes and working his way through screens off the ball. He is a very good defensive rebounder for his size, mostly due to his desire to go strong after missed shots and not being deterred by bigger players.

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What he needs to show this season: Lee’s biggest challenge this year will be taking a step back from a player relied upon to do everything and integrate himself into what Rick Pitino wants to do with his Louisville offense. In terms of skills, of course Lee can work on being a more consistent shooter, especially in the mid-range area and off the dribble, but he already has the skill set to do that. Lee can also work on developing his ballhandling and passing ability a bit more. He took great strides last season, so he has a good foundation to work with. There’s no reason why the Louisville offense shouldn’t be run through Lee, if he can continue to grow in that area. One thing I’ve brought up with some of these bigger guards is working on using their size advantage to back down smaller defenders in the post area, and I think with Lee’s skills and smarts, it could work for him depending on the match-up. Defensively, Lee does everything you could ask from a college guard, so his challenge, for the most part, will be just working on gaining as much of an edge as possible with his foot speed, movements and pivots, and positioning.

Where he fits at the next level: I’ll get this out of the way first; I have no doubt that Lee can play in the NBA. He has size, skill, and enough athletic ability to defend NBA guards, and he has the ability to be a consistent outside shooter to go with it. Aside from all that, Lee handled everything Drexel needed him to on both ends, and the energy he brings to his play will translate. He will have to deal with a much tougher schedule this year, and his role should be a bit different on a more talented team, but Lee has all the tools he needs to handle it, and getting a year of teaching from Pitino will only make him better. Of course, none of this means he’ll be drafted, and he may have to work his way into the league, but even at 23 years old, there is still room for him to improve and contribute in the right place.

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