I Spy 3.0
I Spy 3.0
Who I'm keeping my eye on this college basketball season. These are prospects that I'm confident will rise among boards as the season progresses.
Tucker DeVries
Tucker DeVries has been showing out this season, making a case as a bona-fide first round selection. The 20-year-old sophomore has been in full force this season, averaging 18.7/5.9/1.9 on 60% TS. DeVries has had no issue tearing through defenses, converting 60.8% of his 2-point shots while hitting 38.8% from deep on 6.6 attempts.
There’s a lot in DeVries arsenal. From the perimeter he’s a self-creator, effective off-ball as a catch and shooter, can shoot off movement, and can take the ball down and hit in transition. DeVries doesn’t need much space to make his shots, but he’ll routinely go for the step back jumper. These same attributes translate to his midrange game, where he’s been most dominant this season. DeVries loves to create space with fadeaways and turnarounds, utilizing his size to post up defenders to get to his spots. In games DeVries’ three-ball fails to fall, he’s remained effective by getting inside to the midrange. While DeVries has good size, strength isn’t necessarily one his assets. DeVries struggles driving through contact, relying on a turnaround or fadeaway midrange instead of going up strong, attacking the basket.
At the other end, DeVries is a slightly above average defender, using his 7’0” wingspan to snatch up a couple of steals per game. His lack of athleticism rears its head on this end, especially when tasked to guard around the perimeter. He’s not a prospect you defending in one-on-ones.
Overall, DeVries has one of if not the highest offensive ceilings in this draft that’s projected to be selected outside the lottery. Teams will love to have a shot-creator of his size on the roster, especially playoff/play-in teams that are seeking efficient scorers off the bench.
Maxwell Lewis
If you haven’t paid much attention to draft boards since the college basketball season started, Maxwell Lewis is a name you’re probably unfamiliar with. He’s quickly risen among boards, mocked as high as in the top 10. There’s a lot of hype around him now, and his play backs it up. If you’re looking for elite scorers, Maxwell Lewis tops the chart among Freshman/Sophomores. He’s currently ranking 1st among players that:
1. ≥60% TS
2. ≥55% 2pt (min. 5 attempts)
3. ≥36% 3pt (min. 5 attempts)
4. ≥80% FT (min. 25% FTr, 5 FTA)
To translate the numbers, he’s the best high-volume scoring prospect coming out the NCAA this season. He’s averaging 19.4/5.9/2.9 a night on 65.2% TS.
There’s a lot that makes him so dangerous on offense, and the first is his length. Lewis measures at 6’7”, 195-lbs, sporting a monstrous 7’2” wingspan. He’s able to protect and finish with the ball further out than most his size, can play above the rim, generate massive separation with his handle, and shoot above opponents on jumpers.
What really separates Lewis from the flock as a scoring prospect is his pace and court-awareness. He doesn’t have a quick first step to beat defenders off the dribble, so instead Lewis will change pace and direction on his drives to freeze up defenders. He especially loves going into step backs, as they’ve become the foundation of his creation bag. Shooting 43.8% 3pt this season, opponents have no choice but to bite on his step back, giving up the open lane to the basket.
Lewis’ shot creation speaks to his feel for the game offensively. He understands how to attack defenses from a scoring aspect and facilitating aspect, recording at least 5 assists on 7 out of 15 games.
Turnovers and defense have been the crux to Lewis’ great season so far. He’s averaging 3.1tpg, featuring three games committing over 5. Most of his turnovers derive from either wild passes or blitzes from the defense. Defensively, he isn’t a great on-ball defender, but he can use his length to disrupt passing lanes and force turnovers. At times, he’s been over reliant on his length to make plays, but he’s averaging 1.1bpg and 1.1spg.
At the pace Lewis is performing, there’s going to be serious discussions about where he falls in the lottery. There are very few prospects that have played at the level and consistency he has.
Noah Clowney
One of the more unnoticed prospects among this draft class, Noah Clowney has showcased a promising upside as a versatile wing defender. Clowney, largely overshadowed by his star teammate Brandon Miller, has quietly put together a string of notable performances at Alabama. He’s mainly tasked with the dirty work: Grab rebounds, play help defense, and protect the rim. He’s done a really good job with all three, a significant accomplishment for a freshman. He’s averaging 9.8/8.7/0.9 on 59.1% TS, along with 1.4bpg. He’s one of five freshmen with a defensive box-plus/minus above 4 (two of the five are projected lottery picks), and he’s top 10 in bpm overall among freshmen.
There are a few things that make Clowney so impactful on the floor. To start, he’s 6’10, 210-lbs, with a 7’2” wingspan. Clowney is a disruptor defensively, using his length to obstruct passing lanes and contest shots at the rim. In the half court, Alabama has maximized his length and movement, giving him the role of help defender. Alabama’s defense dramatically improves when he’s on the floor. He’s very fluid rotating 1-5, and generally hasn’t shown any major problems defending the positions.
Offensively, Clowney is still a very raw prospect. On-ball, Clowney faces his strongest weaknesses. He’s not a skill ball-handler, and there has been little evidence he creates his own shot. Clowney has the physicality to get downhill and finish, but a lane must be open. He can hit a three, but the shot must be open. For the most part, Clowney has been unable to adjust off the fly to get a bucket. The self-creation isn’t just there. This in mind, Clowney has still found a way to be effective in Alabama’s offense. He’s a smart cutter, confident shooting from the corner, and can dominate in the dunker spot, best highlighted in his marquee matchup against Houston.
I won’t go far to say Clowney is a 3&D player, but I’m confident in Clowney’s potential as an elite wing defender. There have been very few prospects in the last decade who defend as well as he does while maintaining the efficiency he’s had.
DaRon Holmes II
The Dayton sophomore has bullied his way into first-round conversation, putting up big time numbers on big time efficiency. DaRon Holmes II is a 6’10”, 225-lb big, averaging 19.0/8.4/1.9 on 62.9% TS. He’s one the best bigs in the nation, and arguably the best big in this draft class outside of Wembanyama.
Holmes is a special talent. He possesses great athleticism, great physicality, and tremendous skill around the rim. He gets most of his buckets from the short corner and low post, backing down bigs to the cup. He’s 62.6% from inside the perimeter, averaging 19.8ppg. Holmes is Dayton’s #1 option, and there’s no secret about it. He consistently outmuscles defenders, utilizes excellent footwork to gain position in tight spaces, and rises above defenders for tough finishes with his athleticism. Teams pay for it when they leave Holmes in iso, and he’s developed a face-up jumper to counter teams sending help off the catch.
His size, strength, and athleticism truly shine on defense. Holmes has great feel as a help defender, as well as a rim protector. As a help defender, Holmes does a good job defending two players at once, applying pressure on the ball handler, while closing off the big. Most importantly, Holmes is not a liability in the pnr. He navigates screens well, can keep up with much smaller guards, and can contest shots around the perimeter. As a rim protector, Holmes is averaging 2bpg, with a season-high of 5. With a 7’1” wingspan, Holmes bothers and alters a ton of shots around the rim. He boxes out well and can transition defense to offense better than any big in the NCAA.
To become a first-round lock, Holmes can improve on his overall awareness and focus. With his role at Dayton, he tends to get tunnel vision on offense, forcing up incredibly tough shots, and may space out on defense, failing to provide the help defense Dayton needs. Otherwise, Holmes is one of the best performing prospects in this draft class. Plenty of teams will be looking plug his two-way presence into their systems.