2016 NBA Draft
Buddy Hield, SG, Oklahoma
37 points, 13-20 FG, 8-13 3FG, 4 rebounds, 6 turnovers
Buddy has taken the world by storm this season in college basketball, and he hasn't looked any more impressive than these last few games. Oregon didn't have an answer for him, and Hield ended up being the kryptonite to an Oregon defense that has caused problems all year. They switch a lot and didn't matter who guarded Buddy, he torched them. His step back is unguardable, creating so much separation between him and his defender. His release is quick too, giving you no time to recover after he has created that space. It can be questioned whether or not he can create more than once or twice off the dribble, but it doesn't even matter at this level, where no one can guard him one on one.
He still has a few limitations to make note of. His high turnover count is a great indication of his playmaking and how he doesn't always make the best decisions when he tries to get creative. Defensively, he has lapses off the ball, letting guys sneak behind him for layups at times. He isn't strong and doesn't crash the glass either, something that is sought after in NBA wings. Regardless of these limitations, he can get whatever shot he wants and hit them at a high clip. The consistency with which he hits shots at an elite rate is unseen at this level, and will lead to Buddy getting picked in the top ten on draft night.
Elgin Cook, PF, Oregon
24 points, 6-13 FG, 1-1 3FG, 11-12 FT, 4 assists, 2 steals
In a wide open draft that could see anybody taken in the second round, why not Cook as an option? He was the second leading scorer this year for a number one seed and Power 5 conference champion. He was one of the few bright spots for Oregon in this game, scoring at all three levels and playing super hard on both ends. He tried his best at guarding Hield, but he often found himself a step slow. He has long and active hands but his quickness doesn't seem like it will be ready for the NBA. He is, however, sneaky athletic and makes tough finishes around the rim frequently. It helps that he is strong, using his thick frame to fight through the traffic and get a bucket. He doesn't shoot many threes but is a knock down mid range shooter with a quick release.
Cook may not seem to have NBA skills, but he works hard and is good at things that normally go unnoticed. The majority of Oregon's team moves the ball well, even though it didn't look like it this game. Cook can normally create an advantage then find an open teammate off of it. His stroke is fine and all he needs to do is push it more out to three instead of settling for mid range jumpers so much. He is willing to function in a team scheme on defense, even if he isn't the best defender one on one against guards. He will mainly play as an undersized power forward in the league, and you'd like to see him improve as a rebounder if that is going to be the case. It wouldn't surprise me if he got called up from the D-League at some point and then stuck on a roster because he is able to do some things that make him fit in an NBA game.
2017 NBA Draft
Dillon Brooks, SF, Oregon
7 points, 3-6 FG, 0-2 3FG, 3 assists, 3 turnovers, 5 fouls
Brooks struggled to stay on the court with foul trouble plaguing him. That can be one of the down falls of him playing so hard all the time and using his thick body to do what he does well. Brooks, like Cook, can make tough finishes in traffic thanks in large part to that huge 225 pound frame. He gets himself in trouble sometimes because he buries his head and takes it to the hole in a wild manner. He also doesn't have the tightest handle to create space for himself, but he welcomes contact and embraces pressure by absorbing everything into his body and using his strength to his advantage. He didn't shoot well this game, but he can also take and make big shots for his team.
Defensively, his feet are quicker than you would expect. He had a few nice possessions guarding Buddy one on one in this game. He doesn't rebound at a high rate, which you would like for him to do given how strong he is. He has short arms (6-5 wingspan), which could factor into that. Other than that, he will be able to fit on an NBA team because he is a willing passer, works hard on defense, and can hit open threes. He will probably come back to Oregon next year, and a huge year could see his stock rise into the first round.
Tyler Dorsey, SG, Oregon
11 points, 3-10 FG, 1-7 3FG, 3 rebounds, 2 steals
Dorsey, like Brooks, also struggled to get into a rhythm. He forced his shot at times to try and get Oregon back into the game, and he just wasn't the player they needed to try and put the team on his back. His shot mechanics are smooth and he has a quick release to get it off with a hand in his face. He doesn't do well at creating shots off the dribble yet, but he showed a willingness to do that in this game which tells you he might be able to improve in that area.
He has quick feet that helped him get into passing lanes for steals at times on defense. He is locked in constantly on that end, even if he got burned several times by Buddy in space. You have to respect his effort even if it hasn't translated in his footwork yet. He is a smart player who plays hard, relentlessly attacking and flying in for rebounds. He isn't afraid to go up and grab the ball amongst the trees. Dorsey will need to show next year an improved handle and shot creating ability, but the potential to do those things is there. He and Brooks can sneak into the first round next year with another big season for Oregon.
Chris Boucher, PF, Oregon
14 points, 5-10 FG, 1-4 3FG, 10 rebounds, 2 steals, 3 turnovers
This game brought out the best and worst of Boucher's skill set. He has a lot to like, especially with his length and athletic ability. He glides across the floor like a guard, constantly closing gaps on defense. He did well staying in front of the Oklahoma guards when he switched out on to them and even though he didn't register a block, he altered a lot of shots. Even though he has long arms, he is so thin. Oklahoma had no problem putting a guard on him defensively because he didn't even have the strength to take advantage of them in the post. Their guards would even push him under the rim when he caught the ball in the post or on an offensive rebound.
There are possessions where Boucher is really impressive and other times he gets easily pushed around. His mechanics aren't very good and inconstant. He will have to become an elite knock down shooter from three points range if he isn't ever going to be able to score on post ups or off the dribble. His crashes the glass and works hard but his ceiling is only going to be as high as his strength. Oregon received another year for him, which would put him at age 24 in the 2017 Draft. For him to even be considered as a draft pick, he better become an elite spot up shooter and continue his defensive dominance.
Keep an eye on...
Jordan Bell, PF, Oregon
4 points, 1-4 FG, 12 rebounds, 2 blocks, 2 steals
Bell is stronger yet less talented version of Boucher. While Bell isn't the freak specimen that Boucher is, he is still impressive with his measurements and fluid movements. He was everywhere on the glass and on D in this game. He doesn't do as well as Boucher switching out on to guards but his length altered a lot of shots and scared away many drives to the rim. Offensively, outside of a dunk, he doesn't have much. He had one nice post up, but for the most part, his feel in the offense and touch around the rim wasn't very good. He can't dribble or shoot either, which limits him to a ball screen and dive guy who mainly gets his offensive on drop step dunks or offensive rebound put backs. He is only a sophomore, and he should improve those things as time goes on.
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