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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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Jan 2, 2016; Chestnut Hill, MA, USA; Duke Blue Devils guard Grayson Allen (3) drives toward the basket as Boston College Eagles guard Jerome Robinson (1) defends during the second half of the game at Silvio O. Conte Forum. Duke won 81-64. Mandatory Credit: Gregory J. Fisher-USA TODAY Sports
Jan 2, 2016; Chestnut Hill, MA, USA; Duke Blue Devils guard Grayson Allen (3) drives toward the basket as Boston College Eagles guard Jerome Robinson (1) defends during the second half of the game at Silvio O. Conte Forum. Duke won 81-64. Mandatory Credit: Gregory J. Fisher-USA TODAY Sports /

College Basketball Honorable Mention: Grayson Allen, Duke Blue Devils

Position: Shooting Guard
Age: 20
Height, Weight, Wingspan: 6’4.5″, 189 pounds, 6’6.5″
Slash Line: .476/.393/.869
Season Averages: 33.9 MPG, 20.6 PPG, 5.4 RPG, 3.6 APG, 1.2 SPG, 1.7 3PM
Key Improvement: Consistency

Grayson Allen is hoping to be the latest Duke Blue Devils perimeter player to make it to the NBA. Following in the footsteps of players ranging from Luol Deng and Kyrie Irving to Rodney Hood and J.J. Redick, Allen has followed his breakout showing in the 2015 National Championship Game with a huge sophomore season.

It’s hard to find a player who has improved statistically quite like Allen.

Allen averaged 4.4 points, 1.0 rebound, 0.4 assist, and 0.3 steal in 9.2 minutes in 2014-15. He’s up to 20.6 points, 5.4 rebounds, 3.6 assists and 1.2 steals in 33.9 minutes in 2015-16, and while that may not translate to a massive per-40 leap, the basic numbers are symbolic enough.

After struggling to find playing time as a freshman, Allen is performing at a star-caliber level as a sophomore.

There are questions about how Allen’s game will translate, including his size and defensive inconsistency. He’s an excellent shooter and a better athlete than he’s given credit for, but Allen struggles against length and plays out of control in key moments.

Allen’s draft stock doesn’t quite match his collegiate success, but after being a virtual nobody before the National Championship Game, he’s safely on the radar for the 2016 NBA Draft.

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