Hoops Habit
Fansided

NBA Mock Draft 2016: New Year’s Resolutions

By Maxwell Ogden

Dec 25, 2015; Honolulu, HI, USA; Oklahoma Sooners guard Buddy Hield (24) flashes a "shaka" sign after the game against the Harvard Crimson at the Stan Sheriff Center. Oklahoma Sooners defeated the Harvard Crimson 83-71. Hield was named MVP of the tournament. Mandatory Credit: Marco Garcia-USA TODAY Sports
Dec 25, 2015; Honolulu, HI, USA; Oklahoma Sooners guard Buddy Hield (24) flashes a "shaka" sign after the game against the Harvard Crimson at the Stan Sheriff Center. Oklahoma Sooners defeated the Harvard Crimson 83-71. Hield was named MVP of the tournament. Mandatory Credit: Marco Garcia-USA TODAY Sports /
facebooktwitterreddit
Prev
29 of 32
Next
Dec 23, 2015; Waco, TX, USA; Baylor Bears forward Taurean Prince (21) reacts after scoring during the first half against the New Mexico State Aggies at Ferrell Center. Mandatory Credit: Kevin Jairaj-USA TODAY Sports
Dec 23, 2015; Waco, TX, USA; Baylor Bears forward Taurean Prince (21) reacts after scoring during the first half against the New Mexico State Aggies at Ferrell Center. Mandatory Credit: Kevin Jairaj-USA TODAY Sports /

28. Taurean Prince, Baylor Bears

Position: Small Forward

Age: 21

Height, Weight, Wingspan: 6’8″, 217 pounds, 6’11.5″

Slash Line: .413/.370/.823

Season Averages: 28.1 MPG, 15.6 PPG, 5.7 RPG, 2.9 APG, 1.8 SPG, 0.8 BPG, 1.5 3PM

New Year’s Resolution: Be Responsible with the Ball

If there’s one phrase that defines Taurean Prince’s value as an NBA prospect, it’s 3-and-D. The Baylor Bears star is a 3-point threat who competes on defense and utilizes his size and explosiveness to contain multiple positions.

He may not go in said range, but if Prince is developed properly, he’ll be one of the top 15 most valuable players to emerge from this draft class.

Prince stands at 6’8″ and 217 pounds with a near 7’0″ wingspan. He made 60 3-point field goals on 39.5 percent shooting in 2014-15, is already at 19 on a mark of 37.3 percent in 2015-16, and is beginning to excel in other phases of the game.

Prince’s court vision isn’t LeBron-like, but he sees the floor well enough to make plays for his teammates. He needs to be a little less ambitious with his playmaking, but developing that aspect of his game would inevitably push him up draft boards.

Prince will likely go lower than he should due to the stigma surrounding Baylor forwards, but he has all of the tools to be successful in the NBA.

Next: Finding Stability