Zach Auguste, Notre Dame Fighting Irish
Position: Power Forward
Age: 22 (7/8/1993)
Height & Weight: 6’10” & 245 pounds
Slash Line: .561/.000/.628
Season Averages: 28.8 MPG, 13.9 PPG, 9.5 RPG, 2.8 ORPG, 1.6 APG, 1.0 BPG, 0.8 SPG
In 2014-15, the Notre Dame Fighting Irish were led by a college basketball superstar in point guard Jerian Grant. Thus far in 2015-16, the Irish have been riding the efforts of breakout point guard Demetrius Jackson.
Lost in the mix during both seasons has been power forward Zach Auguste.
Auguste isn’t an NBA star in the making, but he has the traits of a player who can carve out a lengthy career. The 22-year-old has an pro-caliber frame at 6’10” and 240-plus pounds, and isn’t afraid to get physical along the interior.
There isn’t an identifiable offensive skill that will keep Auguste employed, but he’s a big-body athlete who finishes well in traffic, has good hands, and rebounds well—traits that tend to translate.
There’s no guaranteeing that Auguste will stick, specifically given the absence of an outside shot. Auguste can play center in a small-ball rotation, however, and his fluid athleticism will have value in a pick-and-roll offense.
The fact that he’s the type of player who performs up to the level of his competition is a positive sign, as well.
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