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Beyond the Lottery: Bismack Biyombo

Thursday, June 23rd, 2011

Bismack Biyombo is an 18-year-old big man from Democratic Republic of the Congo. He stands 6’9” and has a 7’7” wingspan that allows him to contest virtually every shot in his defensive area. The 245 lb. Biyombo already has an NBA body and is sure to grow stronger and thicker as he matures. He runs the floor extremely well for someone his size and girth. Biyombo is constantly hustling and always crashes the offensive glass, which leads to easy put-backs. Having only participated in organized basketball for approximately four years, Biyombo possesses tremendous potential.

Biyombo made his professional debut in the top-tier Spanish ACB League with Fuenlabrada against DKV Joventut on January 9th, 2011 and scored 5 points to go along with 7 rebounds in just 13 minutes of play. Although he’s only competed in the Spanish Pro League for a short time, Biyombo has displayed marked improvement. His team defense and overall positioning have advanced, as has his low post game.

At the 2011 Nike Hoops Summit, Biyombo played for the World Select Team (against the USA Select Team) and recorded a triple double with 12 points, 11 rebounds and 10 blocks. He has become something of an internet sensation due to his exciting and uber-athletic highlights. Biyombo’s vast collection of rudimentary spin moves, up fakes and jump hooks will surely become more polished and refined the longer he plays and practices with an NBA roster.

Biyombo will probably not be a lottery selection because his overall game is still very unpolished, and he oftentimes commits basic blunders due to a lack of formal basketball experience. There are also questions about his real age, with some reports putting it as high as 23-years-old. A true evaluation of his ability to compete and contribute in the paint at the NBA level is hard to formulate due to the fact that he hasn’t faced a lot of quality big men in his short basketball career.

However despite being somewhat of a wild card, Biyombo will be picked in the first round because of his giant upside and his solid defensive play. Biyombo is reportedly a good teammate and a very coachable player. He speaks English well too, which will save him from the many hurdles associated with foreign players attempting to assimilate to American culture. One thing is for certain, this Congolese center is on the rise.

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Beyond the Lottery: Marshon Brooks

Wednesday, June 22nd, 2011

Providence College shooting guard Marshon Brooks can score. He finished second overall in Division 1 scoring for the 2010-11 season with a 24.6 ppg average. The 6’5” Associated Press Third Team All-American had games of 43 points against Georgetown and 52 points facing Notre Dame this past season. In fact, Georgia native Brooks increased his scoring average in each of his four seasons playing for the Ocean State’s Big East representative.

The 22-year-old Brooks has tremendous athleticism, and he possesses a key trait that is unteachable – length. This length (his wingspan is over 85 inches) added to his court savvy and separation dribble moves allow Brooks to create his own shot, which is an especially valuable skill at the next level. He has legitimate NBA 3-point range, which widens his offensive arsenal and prevents teams from backing off and playing him exclusively for the drive and mid-range penetration.

For a perimeter player Brooks is excellent on the glass. He pulled down seven boards per game this past year. And just as with his scoring, he raised his rebounding average in each of his four seasons with the Friars. His averages in assists, steals and field goal percentage all improved over his collegiate career as well. A competitor with this four-season statistical upward trajectory is the definition of potential and upside in regard to the possibility of one day blooming into an impactful NBA starter.

Brooks will not be chosen in the lottery because of his dishing deficiencies and a tendency to get a bit sloppy with the rock. He averaged more turnovers than assists both his junior and senior years. Another knock on him is that he needs to show more intensity and desire on the defensive end because at the professional level he’ll often be checking the opposing team’s best scorer, his 2-guard counterpart.

What will make Marshon Brooks an NBA Draft first-rounder next week is his ability to put up points and sometimes do it in spectacular flurries. A playoff team in need of an offensive spark off the bench would be a great fit for the pride of Tucker, Georgia.

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Beyond the Lottery: Tyler Honeycutt

Tuesday, June 21st, 2011

UCLA Sophomore Tyler Honeycutt hustles on the basketball court. He stands 6’8” and has played both shooting guard and small forward for the Bruins of Westwood. Honeycutt had season highs of 33 points (against a loaded Kansas Jayhawks squad on the road), 15 rebounds and 8 blocks, showcasing the talent and determination to impact the game in various ways from his perimeter position. His skill set and motor allow him to compete and play on both ends of the court, which is a prerequisite at the NBA level.

Honeycutt has the ability to match up with the opposing point guard, 2-guard and small forward thanks to his long arms and quick feet, which make him formidable defensively. His lateral and vertical timing are also superb, and he averaged 2.1 blocks per game for the perennial PAC-10 power.

Honeycutt always seemed to be involved in the flow and action of the contest, whether it was crashing the glass or shutting down passing lanes and penetration attempts. The 20-year-old Los Angeles native was one of the best rebounding guards in the country this past season. He pulled down 7.2 boards per game with a significant number of offensive rebounds.

On the offensive end, he displayed advanced court vision. And he knows how to position himself properly and precisely when moving without the ball. Honeycutt has a high basketball IQ, which translates into smart on-court decision-making. Even though he averaged 35 minutes per game for Coach Ben Howland and often guarded the other team’s top scorer, Honeycutt averaged only 1.5 personal fouls per game and didn’t foul out of any game.

Honeycutt’s slim frame (he weighs in at approx. 190 lbs.) is something that will become more of a liability at the professional level. He needs to gain weight and strength in order to maximize his superb defensive traits against bigger, stronger NBA competitors.

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Beyond the Lottery: Kyle Singler

Monday, June 20th, 2011

Kyle Singler started for legendary Coach Mike Krzyzewski all four of his years at national power Duke University. In his junior year, the 6’9” 230-pound small forward was named Most Outstanding Player at the Final Four after leading the Blue Devils to their fourth national title.

The fact that Duke occupies a glamorous and envied position in the realm of college hoops motivates their opponents throw it into overdrive and battle with added intensity. Playing in the ferociously competitive Atlantic Coast Conference, Singler was tested night in and night out by elite athletes, including many with professional potential and aspirations. He participated in 148 games in this collegiate pressure cooker and averaged more than 17 ppg and 7 rpg in his final three seasons in Durham. Singler accepted whatever role Coach K asked him to occupy, and this translated into his being on the court 87 percent of the time during his junior and senior years.

Singler had season highs of 30 points and 12 rebounds and played all 40 minutes six different times this past year. An unselfish player with good hoops instincts, Singler can pass the ball, rebound the ball and play in transition. At 23 years old, the Oregon native possesses the maturity on and off the court to make his transition to the NBA more easily than a more talented, but less experienced underclassman.

There are a number of reasons a player like Singler will not be selected in the lottery. He tends to play below the rim due to his average athleticism and can be a liability on the defensive end where he lacks the lateral quickness necessary to stay in front of sleek, explosive perimeter players. However, on the flip side Singler’s experience, basketball-IQ, good size for a number 3 and willingness to accept his role on the court and then execute with a high-energy motor will make him a solid addition to an NBA team.

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Beyond the Lottery: Reggie Jackson

Friday, June 17th, 2011

Boston College guard Reggie Jackson stands 6’3” but has a 7’ wingspan. He is exceptionally fast and gets to the rim easily and fluidly, either with his great first step or effective crossover dribbling. Once at the rim, he possesses tremendous jumping ability and body control.

This past season Jackson averaged 18.2 points per game (third best in the conference), 4.5 assists and 4.3 rebounds. He shot 50% from the field, 80% from the line and 42% from 3-point range. Jackson’s ability to attack the basket as well as shoot from bonus-point land makes him a tough cover for the other side’s lead or off guard. And that tremendous wingspan gives Jackson a great natural advantage when he’s getting his hands in passing lanes and disrupting ball movement.

The 21-year-old Colorado Springs native improved across the board during his three seasons in Chestnut Hill. He was named to the All-ACC First Team for the 2010-2011 season. Jackson is a natural scorer who can take control on the offensive end. The Eagles were a team in re-group and re-building mode this year, and the combo guard didn’t have a lot of help which allowed opposing teams to ‘key’ on him. This season-long pressure to be ‘the man’ for the young BC squad will serve him well at the NBA level where the challenge of competing with bigger, veteran, more talented perimeter players will be a nightly occurrence.

Esteemed long-time Boston Globe sports columnist and BC alum Bob Ryan has written that Reggie Jackson is the most athletic and explosive guard in school history. With his above-average offensive arsenal and the potential to be a lock-down defender, Jackson will be a good addition to a team in need of backcourt depth If he can improve his passing and court vision to become more effective at the point guard position.

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