2017 NBA Draft Watch List: V.J. Beachem

V.J. Beachem, Senior, Notre Dame, Forward, 6’8, 201

(2015-16, 31.3 mpg) 12.0 ppg, 3.9 rpg, 0.8 apg, 0.8 spg, 0.9 tpg

47.6 FG%, 57.4 FT%, 44.4 3FG%, 60.8 TS%, 60.8 eFG%

18.3 USG%, 11.1 DREB%, 7.2 REB%, 2.7 STL%

DOB: 1/15/1995 (21) Hometown: Fort Wayne, Indiana

The Watch List is not meant to replace full scouting reports and is only meant as a guide for who and what to watch for this upcoming season

Beachem was a valuable role player for the Irish as a sophomore, coming off the bench to hit 42 threes in 101 attempts. After his sophomore breakthrough, Beachem entered the starting line-up as a junior, becoming an important part of the Irish making their second straight Elite Eight appearance. The 6’8 Beachem has great size for a wing shooter, and he uses it well to get excellent looks against a variety of defenders. His biggest strength is his long-range shooting ability, with a smooth, quick motion and release off the catch, and with range to the NBA three-point line. Beachem increased his three-point shooting percentage to over 44 percent as a junior, hitting at least four threes in a game 11 times last season, including hitting 12 of 22 from behind the arc in four NCAA Tournament games.

While not as effective shooting off the dribble, Beachem can uses a few dribbles well to clear space for his shot, and his dangerous shooting ability makes his shot fakes very enticing. Beacham’s ability to shoot from long-range helps sets up his mid-range game, as well as his drives to the rim, allowing him to draw out defenders and get them off-balance with a shot fake, before making his move into open space. His shot selection is, generally, very good, relying on guard penetration to set him up for a spot jumper. Beachem isn’t a very good ballhandler, but he has improved, and has shown the ability to attack the basket left or right, though he does seem to be more comfortable going to his left, his off hand. Beachem is smooth pulling up off the dribble, but he hasn’t been able to find a consistent stroke from 10 to 20 feet. He has also developed a nice floater/short jumper in the lane off the drive, using his long strides to beat defenders into space. Beachem isn’t a consistent finisher at the rim, but he shows strong leaping ability, and if given a little space, he will finish strong.

Beachem can be a good offensive weapon in transition, especially when he spots up behind the arc, though he uses his athleticism well to corral passes around the rim and finish. He’s not exceptionally quick, but his long, smooth strides get him down the floor quickly. Beachem will have problems if he is asked to handle the ball in transition, where his inconsistency can lead to some tough jams as he gets into defenders.

Defensively, Beachem isn’t very good, but he has the size and athletic ability where he could guard multiple positions, if he improves. He shows inconsistent lateral movement, though better over short distances, and his movement can be awkward, at times. Where he can make ha difference is his ability to challenge shots around the basket, and he uses his length well to close on shots around on the perimeter. Though not a rim protector, Beachem does show some good timing when looking to block shots, and he can’t be counted out of affecting a shot, even if he gets beat to the rim.

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What he needs to show this season: After establishing himself as an excellent spot-shooter the past two seasons, it’s on Beachem to start to expand his game on the offensive side. He tried during the course of this past season, and there was definitely some improvement, but with the loss of Jerian Grant, Pat Connaughton, Demetrius Jackson, and Zach Auguste these past two seasons, Beachem will need to step up as a senior if the Irish want another deep NCAA run.

As a shooter, Beachem needs to do a better job moving off the ball to get open, especially using screens and multiple moves. With the Irish’s previous offensive weapons surrounding him, defenses rarely focused on Beachem, but expect that to change this season, and he will need to show that he can continue to get open. Also, as mentioned, he needs to show that he can be more consistent shooting the ball off the dribble, especially as he’ll have opportunities with defenders guarding him closer or closing harder. Beachem should work on developing his ballhandling and passing ability a bit more. He did improve last season, but there still seems to be a lot of indecision and a tendency to let the ball get a bit away from him as he makes a move.

On the defensive end, Beachem needs a lot more work, with everything from his positioning on and off the ball, to his lateral movement, and his ability to contain his man on the perimeter. Even if he can’t make great strides with his movement and foot speed, learning how to play angles a bit better should give him a bit of leeway as he continues to develop. For his size and athletic ability, Beachem could also do a better job on the defensive boards, tracking the ball and making sure to go strong after the miss. Finally, a lot of his defensive inconsistencies could improve a bit with just a bit more effort on that end of the floor, as he often seems content to give up the drive in hopes of trying to make a play on the ball from behind.

Where he fits at the next level: With his size and his long-range shooting ability, there certainly will be a lot of NBA teams interested in what Beachem does this next season, but I think the level of that interest could be dependent on what strides he could make with both adding a bit more to his offensive game and becoming at least an average defender at the college level. Beachem will also have some great opportunities becoming the focal point in Mike Brey’s pro-style offense, which should allow Beachem to show he can be more than a shooter. Even if the offensive progression doesn’t come, if he can be a 40+ percent three-point shooter again, NBA opportunities will be there.

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