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NBA Mock Draft 2016: Impact of the NCAA Tournament

By Maxwell Ogden

Apr 1, 2016; Houston , TX, USA; Oklahoma Sooners guard Buddy Hield (24) during practice day prior to the 2016 NCAA Men
Apr 1, 2016; Houston , TX, USA; Oklahoma Sooners guard Buddy Hield (24) during practice day prior to the 2016 NCAA Men /
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Mar 1, 2016; Norman, OK, USA; Baylor Bears forward Taurean Prince (21) drives to the basket in front of Oklahoma Sooners guard Isaiah Cousins (11) during the first halt at Lloyd Noble Center. Mandatory Credit: Mark D. Smith-USA TODAY Sports
Mar 1, 2016; Norman, OK, USA; Baylor Bears forward Taurean Prince (21) drives to the basket in front of Oklahoma Sooners guard Isaiah Cousins (11) during the first halt at Lloyd Noble Center. Mandatory Credit: Mark D. Smith-USA TODAY Sports /

25. Taurean Prince, Baylor Bears

Position: Small Forward

Age: 21 (8/22/1994)

Height, Weight, Wingspan: 6’7.5″, 215 pounds, 6’11”

Slash Line: .432/.361/.774

Season Averages: 30.6 MPG, 15.9 PPG, 6.1 RPG, 2.4 ORPG, 2.3 APG, 1.3 SPG, 1.6 3PM

Key Strengths

  • Physical gifts. Size, body, and length are prototypical for a 3. Potential to help against power forwards.
  • On-ball defense. Can stay in front of quicker players via his length and footwork.
  • Jump shot. Lethal when shooting in rhythm.
  • Off-ball offense. Cuts to the basket. Gets himself open for jumpers.
  • Versatility. Offensive rebounding and shooting touch create small-ball 4 potential.

Key Weaknesses

  • Inconsistency. Has extensive cold spells when creating his own shot.
  • Wants to facilitate, but doesn’t recognize defenses well enough. Prone to turnovers.
  • Handles aren’t strong enough to create against NBA-caliber defenders.

Analysis

The Baylor Bears suffered yet another early exit from the NCAA Tournament, but Taurean Prince showed out. He scored 28 gigantic points in his final collegiate game, shooting 12-of-24 from the field and 4-of-7 from beyond the arc.

What was perfectly clear during that game is what everyone already knew about the senior swingman: Prince can shoot the lights out when he’s in rhythm.

Regardless of what the percentages may suggest, Prince is a big and bruising wing who can knock down the 3-point field goal with the best of them. He’s better in catch-and-shoot situations than off the bounce, but that shouldn’t be much of an issue considering where he’s projected to be selected.

Prince is the type of player who could slip into the second round, but there’s very little question that he’ll make an NBA roster and compete for a significant spot in the rotation.

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