Hoops Habit
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NBA Draft: Buddy Hield, Brice Johnson And The Most Improved

By Maxwell Ogden

Jan 2, 2016; Norman, OK, USA; Oklahoma Sooners guard Buddy Hield (24) reacts after a play against the Iowa State Cyclones during the second half at Lloyd Noble Center. Mandatory Credit: Mark D. Smith-USA TODAY Sports
Jan 2, 2016; Norman, OK, USA; Oklahoma Sooners guard Buddy Hield (24) reacts after a play against the Iowa State Cyclones during the second half at Lloyd Noble Center. Mandatory Credit: Mark D. Smith-USA TODAY Sports /
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Dec 21, 2015; Spokane, WA, USA; Gonzaga Bulldogs forward Domantas Sabonis (11) attempts a free-throw against the Pepperdine Waves during the second half at McCarthey Athletic Center. The Bulldogs won 99-73. Mandatory Credit: James Snook-USA TODAY Sports
Dec 21, 2015; Spokane, WA, USA; Gonzaga Bulldogs forward Domantas Sabonis (11) attempts a free-throw against the Pepperdine Waves during the second half at McCarthey Athletic Center. The Bulldogs won 99-73. Mandatory Credit: James Snook-USA TODAY Sports /

Domantas Sabonis, Gonzaga Bulldogs

Position: Power Forward
Age: 19
Height, Weight, Wingspan: 6’10”, 238 pounds, 6’10.5″
Slash Line: .659/.333/.826
Season Averages: 30.4 MPG, 18.3 PPG, 10.6 RPG, 2.8 ORPG, 1.4 APG, 0.7 BPG, 0.7 SPG
Key Improvement: Offensive Range

Domantas Sabonis utilized a combination of a relentless motor and his father’s legacy to live on the first-round bubble of the 2015 NBA Draft. Rather than testing the waters, Sabonis opted to return to the collegiate scene and spend his sophomore season with the Gonzaga Bulldogs.

Sabonis’ draft stock is admittedly similar in 2016, but that will change if he maintains his current pace.

Sabonis established himself as a force on the boards in 2014-15, but his offensive improvement is what’s turning heads in 2015-16. He’s almost doubled his scoring output in less than a nine-minute increase in playing time, and his range has expanded significantly.

An accurate depiction of Sabonis’ improvement is his jump from being a 66.4 percent free throw shooter in 2014-15 to a mark of 82.6 percent in 2015-16.

On a per 40 basis, Sabonis has experienced a rise from 18.0 points in 2014-15 to 24.0 points in 2015-16—and he’s done so with a decline of just 0.9 field goal percentage points. His midrange game is coming along well, his post play has improved, and his near 66 percent shooting from the field is just downright unfair.

Sabonis is still slated to come off the board in the late first round, but he’ll rise if he proves that his improvement is legitimate.

Next: Sensationally Streaky