Hoops Habit
Fansided

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 /
facebooktwitterreddit
Prev
12 of 12
Next
Dec 12, 2015; East Lansing, MI, USA; Michigan State Spartans guard Denzel Valentine (45) reacts to a play against the Florida Gators during the 2nd half of a game at Jack Breslin Student Events Center. Mandatory Credit: Mike Carter-USA TODAY Sports
Dec 12, 2015; East Lansing, MI, USA; Michigan State Spartans guard Denzel Valentine (45) reacts to a play against the Florida Gators during the 2nd half of a game at Jack Breslin Student Events Center. Mandatory Credit: Mike Carter-USA TODAY Sports /

Denzel Valentine, Michigan State Spartans

Position: Shooting Guard
Age: 22
Height, Weight, Wingspan: 6’6″, 220 pounds, 6’10”
Slash Line: .456/.400/.851
Season Averages: 30.6 MPG, 18.5 PPG, 8.3 RPG, 7.1 APG, 1.0 SPG, 3.0 3PM
Key Improvement: From Well-Rounded to Dominating Every Phase

Draymond Green and Magic Johnson have created high standards for Michigan State Spartans players who post triple-doubles. Thus, there’s an equal balance of overreaction and downplaying being done for Denzel Valentine’s stellar 2015-16 season.

Arthroscopic knee surgery has sidelined the senior standout, but Valentine has made the jump from being a second-round prospect to a potential lottery pick.

In 12 appearances, Valentine has two triple-doubles and another three double-doubles. Statistics are what they are, but the 22-year-old has been one of the most—if not the single most—complete players in the country.

Valentine—24.2 points, 10.8 rebounds, 9.3 assists and 3.9 3-point field goals made per 40 minutes—has progressively built towards this breakout season.

Next: Who are the Top 30 prospects in the 2016 NBA Draft?

Valentine has been producing across the board for the better part of his four-year career, but it wasn’t until 2015-16 that he surfaced in NBA Draft circles. He needs to tone his body and improve his lateral quickness, but it’s hard to ignore a skill set like this.

Valentine has done as much for his stock as anyone eligible for the 2016 NBA Draft. Once he returns from his current injury absence, he’ll have a chance to solidify his Top 14 potential.