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Indiana Pacers: 5 reasons T.J. Leaf was a good pick

By Adrian Lawhorn

Jun 22, 2017; Brooklyn, NY, USA; T.J. Leaf (UCLA) is introduced by NBA commissioner Adam Silver as the number eighteen overall pick to the Indiana Pacers in the first round of the 2017 NBA Draft at Barclays Center. Mandatory Credit: Brad Penner-USA TODAY Sports
Jun 22, 2017; Brooklyn, NY, USA; T.J. Leaf (UCLA) is introduced by NBA commissioner Adam Silver as the number eighteen overall pick to the Indiana Pacers in the first round of the 2017 NBA Draft at Barclays Center. Mandatory Credit: Brad Penner-USA TODAY Sports /
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Feb 12, 2017; Los Angeles, CA, USA; UCLA Bruins forward TJ Leaf (22) shoots a free throw in the second half of the game against the Oregon State Beavers at Pauley Pavilion. UCLA won 78-60. Mandatory Credit: Jayne Kamin-Oncea-USA TODAY Sports
Feb 12, 2017; Los Angeles, CA, USA; UCLA Bruins forward TJ Leaf (22) shoots a free throw in the second half of the game against the Oregon State Beavers at Pauley Pavilion. UCLA won 78-60. Mandatory Credit: Jayne Kamin-Oncea-USA TODAY Sports /

1. Skilled and versatile offensively

Without a doubt, T.J. Leaf’s varied offensive skill-set is what made him a first round draft pick on June 22.

Leaf was not a volume three-point shooter in college, but he was very efficient, hitting 47 percent of his shots from beyond the arc — he certainly has the look of a prototypical NBA stretch-4.

He has also shown the ability to drive and/or pull up for midrange shots: Leaf posted an impressive 64 percent success rate on two-point field goal attempts as a college freshman.

T.J. Leaf’s versatility doesn’t end there — he also possesses solid post skills. He has good footwork down low, and has a variety of low-post moves that include jump hooks with either hand and turnaround jump shots.

As an offensive threat, you’d be hard-pressed to find a more complete player than T.J. Leaf; he can basically do it all on that end of the court.

Next: 2017 NBA Draft grades for all 30 teams

Every player has pros and cons, and there are some questions about Leaf in terms of his body type, athleticism and defensive potential. However, Indiana did well with this pick considering they chose 18th overall.

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