NBA Comparison: Joshua Primo

Strengths: A bulky wing with a great frame (massive 7-2 wingspan) and ball-handling skills to work as a secondary ball-handler and initiator … Took a huge jump from 27% to 40% as a perimeter shooter in his junior year, possessing the mechanics and production to translate this jumper to the next level … Can create separation on the perimeter to get his own shot and also play in a secondary, catch-and-shoot role on the outside … Got to the line over four times per game, knocking down 81% of his free throws … At Santa Clara developed into an efficient scorer from all three levels 81% / 40% / 51% … Versatile offensively who can play as a big point-guard, secondary ball-handler and scoring guard, or off-ball shooting wing with the size and strength to perform all three … Drives under control and excels at coming to a stop and creating space with pivots and spins in the lane … Active defender who is also versatile on this end of the floor … Good basketball instincts as he knows when to cut and when to help defensively … Isn’t afraid to drive left and finish with his left hand … Reads pick-and-rolls exceptionally well and is an accurate passer as well, averaging over four assists per game in his junior season … Decent first step to get by his defender, but then uses his solid frame to draw contact and finish around the rim … High IQ guy with very good versatility for a wing …

Weaknesses: Definitely has some burst, but not the elite athleticism that will match the level of his opponents in the professional game … Lateral speed is a concern … Prone to letting smaller guards beat him off the dribble and needs to use his long arms more to his advantage to strip these guards in these situations … Can be a step slow on closeouts … Doesn’t have the same potential as some others in his draft range, but could plug a rotational hole for competing teams … Needs to get stronger fighting through screens and fighting in the post … Didn’t play a ton of great competition … Needs to put on more weight if he wants to replicate his collegiate play style centered around using his size and strength in the lane …

Outlook: Used the 2022 NBA Draft Combine to show that he is one of the top players that participated. He utilizes his 7-2 wingspan very well and has a mature game with great poise and maturity along with versatility to overcome his lack of great speed … Had a late growth spurt in high school and was essentially a point guard throughout most of his youth, which helped develop his vision, ball handling and passing …

Notes: Measured: 6’4.5” barefoot, 6’5.75” in shoes, 8’9.5” standing reach, 209.2 lbs, 7’2.25” wingspan at the 2022 NBA Draft Combine … Three-year starter at Santa Clara … Two-Time All-WCC Selection and First Team All-WCC in 2021-22 … Finalist for Mid-Major Player of the Year (Lou Henson Award) … Averaged over 25 points in final year of high school … Both parents served in the Air Force …

Derek Bast 5/30/22