Miami Heat: 3 big men draft prospects brought in for workouts

Feb 23, 2017; Tempe, AZ, USA; UCLA Bruins forward Ike Anigbogu (13) against the Arizona State Sun Devils at Wells-Fargo Arena. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-USA TODAY Sports
Feb 23, 2017; Tempe, AZ, USA; UCLA Bruins forward Ike Anigbogu (13) against the Arizona State Sun Devils at Wells-Fargo Arena. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-USA TODAY Sports /
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Amber Searls-USA TODAY Sports
Amber Searls-USA TODAY Sports /

2. Thomas Bryant, C, Indiana

Prospect breakdown:

  • Age: 19
  • Height/Wingspan/Weight: 6’11”, 7’6″, 241 pounds
  • Sophomore year averages:
    • 12.6 PPG, 6.6 RPG, 1.5 ASP, 0.8 SPG, 1.5 BPG, 2.3 TOV, 51.9 FG%, 38.3 3P%, 73.0 FT%, 28.1 MPG
  • Draft Express Mock Position: 2nd round, 35th overall pick

Strengths: 

  • Bryant has freakish measurables for a center prospect, in particular with his 7-foot-6 wingspan. Possesses impressive skill/coordination considering he’s still a teenager figuring out how to use his body. (Some of his flashes of skill are downright astounding.) Shot 60 threes as a sophomore and made 23 of them. Incredible wingspan makes him a great alley-oop target. Burgeoning post game.

Weaknesses: 

  • Production, even in his second year of college, was poor. To average 6.6 boards with a 7-foot-6 wingspan is troubling; won’t get any easier to rebound in the pros. Can’t blame playing time for his low production, as Bryant averaged over 28 minutes per game last season. Even if we look at his numbers through a per-40-minute lens, still averages fewer than 10 rebounds nightly. Also just 1.5 blocks per game. Not a very good athlete, which would explain some of his struggles to produce.

Final verdict: 

  • If the Heat were to purchase a second round pick, they’d be better off using it on someone else. He’s gonna take some time to develop, and even in the second round, there are more pro-ready talents.