2018 NBA Draft: International prospect scouting reports

Tryggvi Hlinason C Iceland (Valencia EuroLeague/ACB)

Stats: 3.0 PPG, 1.9 RPG, 0.7 BPG, 63.6 FG%, 41.7 FT%

Measurables: Height: 7’1″; Weight: 255 pounds; Wingspan: 7’4″ (unofficial) 

Strengths: 

Size/strength

Standing at 7’1” and weighing 250 pounds of solid muscle, Hlinason is easily one of the strongest and most physically imposing players in his class. His strength can be shown off on absolutely bone-bruising ball screens.

Here he is against Germany in the European U20 Championships setting a great screen that knocks the German guard back.

His strength continues to show its functionality on the offensive glass. Hlinason is such a big body when he gets in position for an offensive rebound, it is nearly impossible to get back in front of him. Here he is using his strength to get good positioning on likely NBA Draft selection Moritz Wagner. Hlinason is able to draw the foul as Wagner attempts to keep him away from the offensive board.

Off-ball movement

This is an offensive trait that very few big men have at this young of an age. Hlinason is an excellent cutter and understands how to get to open spots without the ball in his hands. It translates to easy looks at the rim and benefits him in ball screens.

Since Hlinason is not a threat to shoot, he times his rolls to the basket perfectly and really understands when to slip a screen and the perfect time to slip on that screen. Here’s Hlinason slipping off a screen, timing it perfectly when his matchup tries to double the ball-handler. It results in an easy dunk.

Here’s Hlinason in a non-ball screen situation, where he is playing in the high post and spins off his defender. Sadly, great help comes from Karim Jallow and Hlinason’s easy shot is blocked.

Weaknesses

Athleticism

Hlinason struggles athletically, especially if he were put on an NBA court. He’s flat-footed and struggles to make rotations defensively or guard on the perimeter. He knows exactly where he needs to be on these rotations but struggles to get over with a lack of speed and quickness.

It hurts Hlinason the most is defending in space and guarding ball screens. He most likely will not ever become switchable and not having the foot speed to recover after a soft hedge. Even if he is not defending guards or wings, there’s a strong chance he could struggle with athletic bigs as well in the future.

Here is Hlinason getting beat off the dribble by Moritz Wagner. Even though Wagner is a likely draft selection, he does not have the reputation as a speed demon, even for a big man.

Here he is in pick-and-roll coverage where Germany just burned his Iceland team all game long. This time Hlinason is drawn away from the hoop, but very lazily tries to get back onto his man and gives up a wide open mid-range shot.

Limited scorer

Hlinason’s offensive game is incredibly raw. He is really limited to nothing but layups, dunks and put-backs. He does not attempt many mid-range shots, and only shoots 41.3 percent from the free throw line on a small sample size.

Overall:

Hlinason is a real physical freak with his height and strength. Unfortunately, with the direction the modern NBA is heading, it’s hard to find value in him defensively, especially if he cannot switch on the perimeter, stay on a face-up big, or hedge on a screen and recover. His offensive value may be slightly more enticing if he added a jump shot.

Overall it will be hard to try and get Hlinason on the floor if he lands on an NBA roster. With limited shooting upside and athletic improvement, it is hard to predict Hlinason becomes anything than more than extremely situational big off the bench in the right fit.