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Houston Rockets: 5 options for pick No. 45 in 2017 NBA Draft

By Brian Sampson

Mar 11, 2017; Brooklyn, NY, USA; Notre Dame Fighting Irish forward V.J. Beachem (3) dunks during the second half against the Duke Blue Devils during the ACC Conference Tournament Final at Barclays Center. Duke Blue Devils won 75-69. Mandatory Credit: Anthony Gruppuso-USA TODAY Sports
Mar 11, 2017; Brooklyn, NY, USA; Notre Dame Fighting Irish forward V.J. Beachem (3) dunks during the second half against the Duke Blue Devils during the ACC Conference Tournament Final at Barclays Center. Duke Blue Devils won 75-69. Mandatory Credit: Anthony Gruppuso-USA TODAY Sports /
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Mar 19, 2017; Tulsa, OK, USA; Baylor Bears forward Johnathan Motley (5) dunks ahead of USC Trojans forward Bennie Boatwright (25) during the first half in the second round of the 2017 NCAA Tournament at BOK Center. Mandatory Credit: Brett Rojo-USA TODAY Sports
Mar 19, 2017; Tulsa, OK, USA; Baylor Bears forward Johnathan Motley (5) dunks ahead of USC Trojans forward Bennie Boatwright (25) during the first half in the second round of the 2017 NCAA Tournament at BOK Center. Mandatory Credit: Brett Rojo-USA TODAY Sports /

5. Johnathan Motley, PF/C, Baylor

Johnathan Motley is coming off an impressive season for the Baylor Bears in which he improved his scoring and rebounding tremendously.

In fact, in each of Motley’s three seasons at Baylor, his scoring and rebounding saw a significant increase.

Per Game Table
Season School G MP FG% 2P% FT% TRB PTS
2014-15 Baylor 34 21.5 .417 .431 .625 4.2 7.7
2015-16 Baylor 34 20.9 .614 .619 .607 5.1 11.1
2016-17 Baylor 34 30.5 .522 .541 .699 9.9 17.3
Career Baylor 102 24.3 .520 .535 .654 6.4 12.0

Provided by CBB at Sports Reference: View Original Table

The jumps that he’s made have been incredible and remind me of a first round pick from a few years ago, Frank Kaminksy. Motley’s overall game is nothing like Kaminksy’s though, as Motley is more in the mold of a Tristan Thompson.

He goes all out on every play and has great physical measurements, standing 6’9″ with an amazing 7’4″ wingspan and 9’0″ standing reach.

In this league, he projects to be more of a hustle player than anything else. He should be able to crash the glass with a ferociousness matched by few and wreak havoc on opposing players who try to box him out.

On defense, he brings positional flexibility as he can fill in at the 5 for short stretches due to his long wingspan.

He’s also a hard worker and runs the floor extremely hard. His effort also shows up on the offensive glass as he is always looking for that put-back dunk.

The biggest question mark surrounding Motley will be his health. He tore his MCL in his final game against South Carolina. That could bump him from the first round where he was originally projected to go. If he does fall into the Rockets’ lap, he will fit well with their group as a hustle player and relentless offensive rebounder.

He isn’t able to shoot from beyond the arc, but he can excel in the big man position that is needed on this team.

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