NBA Comparison: Evan Turner

Strengths: 2-guard with a big high school reputation and a lot of physical tools to work with … He’s very aggressive going to the rim … He has the quickness to blow by defenders and size to absorb contact in the paint … He has a near seven-foot wingspan … That allows him to get his shot off over taller forwards and centers … Played some point in high school, and retains some ability as a facilitator … He has great court awareness when he gets into the lane … He makes quick decisions to attack once he sees centers are out of the lane … He knows how to draw fouls at a high rate … He averaged 6 free throws per game last season … When he gets into the lane, he’s adept at finding the open man … He’s great in transition … When he has the ball, he pushes aggressively … Without it he’s great at filling the lanes and finishing … He is a good rebounder for a guard, particularly offesnively … He grabbed over 5 rebounds per game last season … Having grabbed 1.4 offensive rebounds per game last season … He can create extra possessions for his teammates … In the NBA, guards who can generate extra possessions by rebounding are a bonus … He’s able to take advantage of smaller matchups and post up smaller guards … He’s a solid defender … With his physical tools, his potential is excellent … He’s great at attacking out of the pick roll to get into the lane … He’s shown nice touch around the rim … Has a solid ability to shoot off the dribble …

Weaknesses: Doesn’t always look fully engaged in the game and intensity level seems to come and go … He struggles shooting the three-point shot … He only hit on 27% of his 3 pointers last year, while taking almost four a game … Decision making needs work … He is prone to taking shooting questionable shots at times … He needs to improve his free throw shooting … He shot 72% but improving upon it will add to his point totals … He’s not an explosive athlete … At times his defensive effort can be lagging … He can be to ball dominant on offense at times, leading to bad shots … He can be careless with the ball at times, leading to poor turnovers … He’s to reliant on his right hand, which will make him easier to defend in the NBA … He has trouble controlling the game from the half court … A part of the problem with his three-point shot is that he’s hesitant to take them at times … He struggles when he is forced to be the primary playmaker … He needs to improve his overall efficiency as he shot just under 45 percent from the field … That’s not bad but it could improve …

Outlook: At 6’6, 215 pounds, he’s already bigger than nearly every shooting guard other than Jimmy Butler, DeMar DeRozan, and Klay Thompson … Romeo Langford is expected to be a mid-first round pick in the 2019 draft … He is a good athlete with a lot of potential to be an impact player on an NBA team … With the game being as guard dominant as it is today, a guard who can score has added value … He will need to develop his ability to shoot in today’s era of spacing, but with NBA coaches helping him, that shouldn’t be a problem if he works hard … With his size and length, he can develop into a great 3 and D player … His versatility will as a scorer, rebounder, and solid playmaker, will make him a coveted pick in a league that values players who can do multiple things …

Notes: Measured 6’4 without shoes, 6’5 with shoes, 196 lbs, with a 6’10.5 wingspan and 8’6.5 standing reach at the June 2017 USA U19 tryouts … He has 2 sisters, Tiffany and Tisha … He was fifth nationally in Freshman scoring … He made the Big Ten All-Freshman Team … He had his first double-double of his college career against Arkansas … He was the top scorer among freshmen in the Big 10 …

Zach Smith 4/15/19

Strengths: 6’6.5 two-guard … Good length with a 6’11 wingspan and 8’8 standing reach … Good shooting and natural scoring ability, especially in isolation … Can create offense against a set defense … Can shoot off the catch and dribble … Scores well from midrange and has range out to NBA three … Good footwork on the perimeter, can score off step backs and pull ups. Gets his shot off under pressure fairly easily … Always squared up and shoots well on the move … Good touch on floaters … Good feel for the game and shot selection. Plays within the flow of the game without forcing his will … Reads his defender well, knows how to draw fouls while staying under control. Shot 7.1 free throws per game over the adidas Gauntlet … Spaces the floor … Makes proper reads and cuts … Can take guards into the post and utilizes his fadeaway … Solid handle, can free himself up for a pull up or get to the rim in minimal dribbles … Unselfish. Good passing ability and gets teammates involved … Draws the help defense and finds the open man … Natural athleticism that translates well in games, uses it well in the half court and transition … Finishes plays above the rim with good body control … Even keeled, doesn’t get too high or low. Doesn’t get rattled or rushed … Competes on both ends. Good length, versatility, and foot speed as a defender …

Weaknesses: Needs to improve his ball handling when going fast or pressured in the back court … Loses the ball often trying to split double teams or making moves when breaking the press … Although he shoots the ball well, he can improve his free throw shooting. Shot 69.2% from the line at adidas Nations … Unselfish but a high-volume shooter … Settles for deep contested shots at times … Has room to get stronger … While it isn’t a bad thing that he has Kawhi Leonard type emotions throughout the game, he can improve his aggression and intensity level … Had nearly twice as many turnovers (25) as assists (13) over the adidas Gauntlet …

Outlook: Incoming Indiana freshman … Scored 19 points (three three-pointers) and grabbed six rebounds in the McDonald’s All-American Game … Scored 14 points and grabbed five rebounds in 16 minutes in the Jordan Brand Classic … Named to the Nike Hoop Summit … Averaged 17.9 points per game over the adidas Gauntlet … Helped lead USA Red 2018 to win the adidas Nations championship with 11.6 points per game … Won a bronze medal on the U19 World Championship team in 2017 … Finished fourth in Indiana’s all-time scoring with 3,002 points and averaged 35.5 points per game as a senior … Led New Albany to the Indiana 4A State Title as a sophomore, scoring 28 points in the championship game …

Notes: Measured 6’4 without shoes, 6’5 with shoes, 196 lbs, with a 6’10.5 wingspan and 8’6.5 standing reach at the June 2017 USA U19 tryouts …

Evan Tomes 8/26/18