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.