NBA Comparison: Jaylen Nowell

Strengths : Big, smooth playmaking combo guard … Excellent size given his skill set (as a combo guard who skews toward being a lead guard)… Excellent rebounder at the guard position … A good passer and can be trusted to lead an offense, as he did for the 2-time champion Huskies … Reliable. Can play a lot of minutes showing durability … Excellent free throw shooter at 80% … Grabs rebounds and leads the break with good proficiency … Fantastic defender at the guard position, especially given his length … Very smart, one of those players who thrives in all areas on the court besides scoring / scoring efficiency… Has the ball on a string and finds the right guy with timely passing and vision … Always in control… while somewhat limited when it comes to scoring, can score off the dribble with a package of floaters and lay ups … Loves big moments and big games. Clutch …

Weaknesses: A bit of a jack of all trades type, without having a skill to hang his hat on … Will he find a niche to carve out a long career without a real standout skill entering the league? Already 23 years of age, limiting his upside … Not the most efficient scorer, routinely around 40% from the field and low 30s% from three … Outside shot mechanics look good but lack effectiveness … Limited bag when it comes to scoring … Defensively, has excellent length, but not necessarily the quickest feet …

Notes: Played at East Carolina for three seasons before transferring to UConn for his final two years of college eligibility … As a senior in high school, averaged 37.2 points (first in Texas, sixth in the country), 9.2 rebounds, 2.7 assists and 2.6 steals and led his school to the District championship … Named El Paso Times Player of the Year… Has one older brother, Jawaun, who also played college ball … Cousin of Green Bay Packers running back Aaron Jones and former Baltimore Ravens linebacker Alvin Jones … Measured: 6′ 3.25” barefoot, 191.8 lbs, 6′ 6.75” wingspan, 8′ 4.00” standing reach, 25.0 standing vert, 32.5 max vert at the 2024 NBA Draft Combine …

Drew Wolin 5/19/24