2016 NBA Draft
Wade Baldwin, PG, Vanderbilt
9 points, 3-9 FG, 0-2 3FG, 5 assists, 4 rebounds
Baldwin will always stick out to me when I watch him play, especially in a game like this. Those arms are so stinking long. They make up for a lot of his misgivings. If he makes a mistake, he can recover back fast enough to contest with his 6-10 reach. In this game, his effort wasn't there every play, especially when fighting over screens. It didn't matter sometimes, however, because of how long his arms are. When he is dialed in, nobody is scoring on him. Both Ron Baker and Fred Van Fleet, Wichita State's two dynamic guards, were scared just by the fact that Baldwin was guarding them. The minute that Baldwin guarded one of the guards, the other started scoring. When he would switch to the other, the previous one he was guarding would get going. He could be the best defender in this draft if he gave consistent effort.
Offensively, he still has a ways to go, though his fit with a team will be interesting. He isn't comfortable creating his own shot off the dribble. He obviously can finish well in the paint due to that length but outside of that, he has to hit a spot up shot. He the ideal point guard to play next to a ball dominant wing player like James Harden, Dwayne Wade, and Gordon Hayward. Play him off the ball and he can spot up and attack closeouts while also guarding the other team's ball handler. Asking him to do much more might be a reach. He reads the floor just fine and has nice vision but he still doesn't have that next level feel where he can pass guys open. While his passes are on time and on target, he doesn't stay one step ahead of the play like some great point guards do. His success in the league will largely depend on where he lands. Utah and Houston would be perfect lottery teams for him but outside of those two teams, there isn't many teams looking for a low usage point guard like Baldwin.
Damian Jones, C, Vanderbilt
5 points, 2-6 FG, 1-7 FT, 5 rebounds, 2 blocks
This was a disappointing game for Jones that really showed all the good and bad that comes with his game. He barely played in the first half and gave minimal energy on both ends of the floor. There were times throughout the game where he slumped his shoulders and pouted when things didn't go his way. He really only seemed interested in playing hard when he got the ball in the post or was involved in the play. A player with his size and physical capabilities shouldn't only be getting five rebounds against a Wichita State frontline that doesn't boast a player in their main rotation taller than 6-8 and bigger than 230 lbs. Jones is 7-0, 245 lbs., moves well, and is really strong. He needs to take advantage of his physical gifts more.
When he turned it on, Jones played the part of a lottery pick. To go along with his massive frame, he has a 7-2 wingspan that helps him contain perimeter players and protect the rim. You don't have to zone him up like most centers. He could flat show out on guards and recover back in time when he sat in a stance and gave effort. On the block, Wichita State didn't have one player that could keep him from getting deep post position. In addition to a solid post game, he is the rare big who can do that while also being a quick enough pick and roll player. Unfortunately, the only thing that he doesn't have the potential to do on offense is shoot. Look no further than his six missed free throws. His stroke is non chalant and he just sort of flicks the ball up. I wouldn't count on him developing into a reliable jump shooter.
It's so hard to gauge his draft stock in a year full of talented big men with high upside. It doesn't help Jones that there are plenty of bigs under 20 who have shown the same skills and production that he has this year, given he is going to be 21 in June. Teams will want to take guys two, three years younger before they think about taking a guy like Jones.
Ron Baker, SG, Wichita State
14 points, 3-11 FG, 1-5 3FG, 9 rebounds, 3 assists
Baker struggled when he was guarded by Baldwin, which confirms some of the doubts that people have about his prospects as a pro. He has a smooth jump shot (even though he didn't shoot it well in this game) but looked uncomfortable handling the ball, especially in the pick and roll. He can read plays, is unselfish, and moves the ball well but he can't create his own shot or take somebody one on one. He values the ball and didn't turn it over or look scared to handle it, however, which shows you that he might be able to get better and function within an NBA offense.
Baker is tough as nails, though. His nine rebounds are very indicative of that. He isn't afraid to do the dirty work of crashing the glass and sitting down on the defensive end. He had success on the ball moving his feet and using active hands to make things difficult on the guys he was guarding. He also did well locking and trailing the Vanderbilt wings around screens. Baker will get a shot in the league because of his effort and ability to knock down shots. He isn't just your typical white dude who spots up and hits shots. Despite his inefficiencies in some areas, you can see him improving at those things and being on a roster somewhere
Fred Van Vleet, PG, Wichita State
14 points, 6-15 FG, 2-6 3FG, 7 assists, 3 rebounds, 2 steals
It took FVV a little while to settle in, but once he did, you saw why he is Wichita State's most valuable player. There are limitations that will come for him based on his size, barely standing at 6-0. He is strong as heck for a little guy and isn't afraid to get in the lane and make things happen. While he struggled against the length of Baldwin at times, Fred would use his body to create separation from Baldwin and others who were guarding him, get in the lane, and make the perfect read to the open man. He struggled finishing at the rim against the three seven footers Vanderbilt threw out there, which will be the biggest weakness that he has going forward. He needs to use that strong frame and bounce off guys to create a shot mid air the way that Nate Robinson used to in the NBA.
Defensively, what he lacks in size, he makes up for in quickness, anticipation, and work ethic. He had two steals, once when he stripped Baldwin while he was backing FVV down in the post. He is impossible to screen on and off the ball, always slithering around nearly untouched. He doesn't turn the ball over, is a pesky defender, and can hit shots from deep when his team needs him to. If he doesn't get drafted in the second round, Van Vleet is the type of guy you see making a roster then fighting his way into a rotation because the coach can't keep him off the floor.
2017 NBA Draft
Luke Kornet, C, Vanderbilt
8 points, 3-10 FG, 1-5 3FG, 9 rebounds, 2 blocks
Kornet has gotten little to no buzz in this year's draft, and he might benefit from coming back to Vanderbilt for another year and getting most of the center minutes after Jones leaves. His three point percentage this year is bad (28 percent) but his stroke looks fine and he shoots it confidently. It doesn't help him that he plays alongside Jones when they are both clearly centers. Kornet doesn't look good playing power forward. He can't trail screens when guarding perimeter orientated fours and was just a step slow on the ball. He is fine zoning up or even showing at times in the pick and roll, but he can get exposed one on one. He will be fine in the NBA or even his senior year when he is only playing center. He protects the rim well, using his length and verticality to deter shots. This is why the NBA will be perfect for him, as he can zone up and drop back into the paint to protect the basket.
Another reason he can't really play power forward is he doesn't look comfortable initiating offense, almost losing the ball every time he dribbled. He plays hard and has a nice feel otherwise, which is why his game is best suited for the NBA than his college team right now. Since teams are always looking for centers who can stretch the floor while also pass on defense, Kornet should be drafted when he decides to go out, whether it is this year or next. I might be higher on him than most. He is number 78 on Draftexpress' top 100 prospects, 74 on Sam Vecenie's Big Board at CBS, and 82 on Chad Ford's top 100 at ESPN. If he goes out next year, Draftexpress has him right on the cusp of being a first round pick at number 38 in their 2017 Mock Draft. He may be the perfect type of kid to take advantage of the new push back date for entry into the draft.
Keep an eye on…
Joseph Toye, SG, Vanderbilt
10 points, 3-6 FG, 1-2 3FG, 3 rebounds
Toye caught my eye as a role player off the bench for the Commodores. He has NBA length at 6-7 with a 6-9 wingspan and he makes things happen on defense. You won't see anybody blow by him and he doesn't gamble. He sits in a stance and stay solid, keeping guys in front and forcing them out of what they want to do. He doesn't screw up offensively, staying in his lane and not trying to do to much. He hit an open three and moved the ball well. He didn't too much and he didn't screw up.
Toye played 26 minutes, way higher than his 8.6 per game average. He is just a freshman and only 18 years old. He is a kid worth keeping an eye on as he develops in his college career.
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