2018 NBA Draft: International prospect scouting reports

Dzanan Musa SF Bosnia (KK Cedevita Adriatic League)

Stats: 12.5 PPG, 3.3 RPG, 1.6 APG, 47.6 FG%, 31.5 3P%, 82.2 FT% (Adriatic League)

Measurables: Height: 6’9″; Weight: 195 pounds; Wingspan: 6’8.5″

Strengths:

Handling potential

For Dzanan Musa’s size at 6’9”, he has solid handling ability. When he is inserted into a lineup for Cedivita, he often finds himself playing as a secondary ball-handler. He could push the ball up the court on grab-and-gos, but is not much of a rebounding threat.

Musa really shows off his handle against lower level Adriatic League competition. He gets the opportunity to have the ball in his hands more against lesser competition and shows a little more off than you would see in Cedevita’s games against more quality opponents.

Here’s Dzanan Musa playing against KK Jazine. Normally he goes to his left-handed hesitation religiously. Bursting right off the hesitation and to the rim, Musa often fails to showcase any counter-dribble moves to combine with it. Here Musa hints at the hesitation and then crosses back over in one dribble off the ball screen and knocks down a mid-range shot. Notice how fluid his pull-up looks as well.

Shooting

Musa is an promising shooter as well, and though he is currently shooting 31.5 percent from 3-point range, the FIBA 3-point line is farther away than college. He can knock down shots off the dribble, spotting up, or off movement. His release has no wasted movement, and his quality, quick shooting form makes his jump shot easily translatable.

After showcasing Musa’s silky smooth pull-up let’s look at how well he fares shooting from spot up and off movement situations. Here he is shooting off a screen against Buducnost. He drills this jumper off of movement from beyond NBA range. It’s a two-motion shot on the dip, but it’s still lightning quick.

Again, here’s Musa showcasing his range. This time spotting up, it takes him a little longer to get the shot off probably because of how deep it is, but it’s still not a slow release by any means.

The threat of Musa’s shot is deadly, and he does a great job playing off his shooting ability. Here Musa attacks a hard closeout from a defender, because the defender knows how good of a shooter he is. Musa blows by him and finishes at the rim with a layup.

Off-ball defensive flashes

Because Musa is not a very good on-ball defender, he gets the reputation for being a poor defender all together. Contrary to popular belief, Musa has shown flashes pointing to him becoming quality off ball defender.

Here’s a clip of Musa in the Euro Qualifiers for the 2019 FIBA World Cup. Musa keeps his eyes on his man and the defender, plays center field and takes advantage of a lazy skip pass.

Here’s another clip of Musa showcasing his off-ball defense. This time he’s chasing his man off a screen. Notices that his teammate has to leave his man and help against penetration, while Musa rotates over and challenges the jump shot, forcing an air ball.

Weaknesses:

Strength

Watching Musa’s games, he had a strong tendency to settle for tough floaters once he gets into the lane. At 6’9”, Musa only weighs 195 pounds; his frail arms and upper body prevent him from really finishing through contact even in the Adriatic League.

This will lead to Musa getting bullied by larger wing players driving their way to the hoop. Also, it is probably the reason why Musa only averages 3.3 rebounds a game, because he’s not willing to bang down low with a strength disadvantage.

On-ball defense

Unfortunately for a player so skilled offensively, Musa’s on-ball defense is atrocious. It is really mind boggling how it looks like he lacks lateral quickness, but has decent burst off the dribble. It was brought to my attention that it may have something to do with his hunched over posture. Regardless of posture or lack of lateral quickness or even disinterest, Musa gets beat by below-average athletes far too often off the dribble.

Here’s Musa again against KK Mornar. Musa goes under the ball screen. His matchup elects to drive to the hoop, and all Musa has to do is shift one step and cut his man off. Instead, Musa elects to let his man dribble right into the paint for an easy layup.

Overall

Musa is a first-rounder without a doubt, as a knockdown, spot-up shooter at the very least. If he really wants to become a high-quality player though, his first and only focus should be getting stronger. If he can put on enough weight to play the small-ball 4 and not get bullied by opposing fours on defense, he will be quite the offensive weapon for his team.

Overall Musa’s defense will most likely always be a liability, and that lack of defense will force him to have to score a ton of points or shoot the air out of the basketball in a bench role. If he can have more value being a plus offensive player vs. a minus defense player, Musa will be a long-time NBA player.