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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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Apr 2, 2016; Houston, TX, USA; Oklahoma Sooners guard Buddy Hield (24) handles the ball during the second half against the Villanova Wildcats in the 2016 NCAA Men
Apr 2, 2016; Houston, TX, USA; Oklahoma Sooners guard Buddy Hield (24) handles the ball during the second half against the Villanova Wildcats in the 2016 NCAA Men /

7. Buddy Hield, Oklahoma Sooners

Position: Shooting Guard

Age: 22 (12/17/1993)

Height, Weight, Wingspan: 6’4.5″, 215 pounds, 6’8.5″

Slash Line: .501/.457/.880

Season Averages: 35.4 MPG, 25.0 PPG, 5.7 RPG, 2.0 APG, 1.1 SPG, 4.0 3PM

Key Strengths

  • Gets himself open with screens and is an elite shooter off the catch.
  • Dangerous pull-up jump shot with limitless range.
  • Lethal step-back jumper with midrange and 3-point effectiveness.
  • Vastly improved ball-handler who splits screens and uses misdirection to create penetration.
  • Draws contact and finishes against length.

Key Weaknesses

  • Defensive intensity wavers based on offensive efficiency.
  • Size. Measurements at scouting combine could determine draft stock.
  • Elite shooter, but can rely too heavily on his jumper. Late to recognize other options.

Analysis

Buddy Hield took the nation by storm in 2015-16, scoring at elite levels in terms of both volume and efficiency. He made an obscene 147 3-point field goals on 45.7 percent shooting from beyond the arc, and got to the line for 5.4 free throw attempts per game.

Offensively, Hield has crafted a skill set that fits the modern era perfectly.

The issue for Hield is that, while he’s not a bad team defender, his energy and effort depend heavily on how well he’s playing offensively. His size and ability to create off the bounce against NBA-caliber defenders have also been called into question.

Hield has flaws, and his storied senior season didn’t end the way he would’ve liked it to, but he’s firmly established himself as a lottery pick with a safe upside comparison of J.J. Redick.

Next: Modern Big Man

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