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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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March 24, 2016; Anaheim, CA, USA; Duke Blue Devils guard Brandon Ingram (14) dunks to score a basket against Oregon Ducks during the second half of the semifinal game in the West regional of the NCAA Tournament at Honda Center. Mandatory Credit: Richard Mackson-USA TODAY Sports
March 24, 2016; Anaheim, CA, USA; Duke Blue Devils guard Brandon Ingram (14) dunks to score a basket against Oregon Ducks during the second half of the semifinal game in the West regional of the NCAA Tournament at Honda Center. Mandatory Credit: Richard Mackson-USA TODAY Sports /

2. Brandon Ingram, Duke Blue Devils

Position: Small Forward

Age: 18 (9/2/1997)

Height, Weight, Wingspan: 6’9.5″, 196 pounds, 7’3″

Slash Line: .442/.410/.682

Season Averages: 34.6 MPG, 17.3 PPG, 6.8 RPG, 2.0 APG, 1.4 BPG, 1.1 SPG, 2.2 3PM

Key Strengths

  • Physical profile. Kevin Durant build at nearly 6’10” with a 7’3″ wingspan.
  • 3-point shooting. Range, elevation, and quick release to be elite in the NBA.
  • Defensive upside. Committed team defender. Individual playmaker.
  • Isolation offense. Can create off the bounce.
  • Can get his shot off against defenders of all calibers and size.

Key Weaknesses

  • Thin frame.
  • Free throw shooting.
  • Finishing against length. Fails to maintain form in traffic.

Analysis

Duke Blue Devils small forward Brandon Ingram has been compared to NBA superstars Kevin Durant and Paul George. Those are lofty expectations, but it’s a testament to the upside that Ingram so clearly possesses on both ends of the floor.

Between his marksmanship from beyond the arc, ability to create in isolation, and consistency as a defensive playmaker, Ingram has just about everything teams look for in a prospect.

There are issues, and that includes his erratic nature at the free throw line. More importantly, Ingram is very thin—more so than Durant was as a freshman—and struggled to finish over and around length during the 2015-16 season.

There are bigger flaws than the general population seems to be addressing, but Ingram is very clearly elite from a prospect perspective.

Next: The International Phenom

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