NBA Comparison: CJ McCollum

Strengths: Athletic slasher who is one of the best pure scorers in the upcoming draft … Can score at all three levels but he is significantly more efficient pulling up in the mid-range and going all the way to the basket … High-rising guard who uses his vertical to attack the rim and finish with contact in the lane, but also elevates as a great rebounder who averaged nearly six rebounds per game as a 6’5 guard … Advanced floor game, with excellent ISO ability and pull up scoring acumen … Uses great ball handling and a lot of fakes to create space for his shot … Crafty playmaker … Thrives in isolation due to elite athleticism and high level ball-handling. Athletic enough to avoid contact and strong enough to finish through contact at the rim … Athleticism and ball-handling allowed him to get to the line over five times per game … Decent defender with unlimited potential thanks to a reported 7′ foot wingspan. Averaged over one steal per game … One of the most active players off the ball on offense who uses his speed and stamina to create easy scoring opportunities with relentless motor … Smooth jumper and elite scorer from inside the three-point arc … Bouncy spark plug who can come off the bench and electrify a team with powerful dunks and finishes in the lane … Can create offense in transition and in the half-court to kickstart an offense … Shot 53% from inside the arc on nearly 10 such shots per game …

Weaknesses: Athleticism is better in half court, somewhat limited in the open floor. Not a speed burner … Regressed as a three-point shooter from his freshman year to his sophomore year from 35% to 29%, albeit with double the amount of attempts per game … At times over-confidence gets the better of him, whether it be shot selection or passing … Shooting from distance suffered as he seemed to force shots too often and settle for low percentage looks … Good slasher but lacks great playmaking ability for others and is an average passer at best … He only averaged 1.8 assists per game compared to nearly 3 turnovers … Despite a reported 7’ wingspan, Bouknight rarely made much of an impact defensively and has plenty of room for improvement … Bulking up would allow Bouknight to potentially defend guards and wings … Shot selection will need improvement, which should not be too difficult as his role shifts to an spark-plug scorer off the bench … If he cannot improve as a passer, it will be difficult to allow him to run the offense as a primary ball-handler and his impact will mostly have to come from off the ball … Plays at his best as a primary ball-handler who can attack the basket, but turnovers were a major issue in his college career. High turnover rate at the next level will take away his greatest offensive strength and force him to improve his spot-up shooting … Boom or bust prospect with lots of potential but needs to improve three-point shooting …

Notes: Measured: 6’3.5” barefoot,  6’4.75” in shoes,  8’5.5” standing reach, 190.0 lbs, 6’8.25” wingspan at the 2021 NBA Draft Combine … … 2021 All-Big East First Team … 2020 All-AAC Third Team … 18.7 PTS, 5.7 REB, 1.8 AST, 2.8 TO in final season at UConn … Born in Brooklyn, NY

Derek Bast 6/9/21