Earlier this season, we did a full write-up and scouting report on Barnes. His game hasn't changed a ton since then, other than some disappointing performances in the NCAA Tournament. But watching Barnes season in totality left me with this feeling that his upside is very Giannis-like. His massive hands are apparent. He is incredibly at attacking the rim downhill and makes good decisions when doing so. The rebound-and-run or open floor potential is massive. He can defend almost any position due to his length and athleticism.
Barnes has two main struggles: shooting and rebounding. The shooting will change how he's played in the half-court. Think about where Giannis was his third or fourth year in the league... that seems an appropriate ceiling for Barnes if he never figures out the shooting. The major issue for me is the lack of willingness to rebound or be physically imposing. Barnes can't be out there as a 4 and fail to impact the game on the glass. To me, he's a top-eight lock. I have him #6 right now, and he'll toggle somewhere in the 5-to-8 range up until draft night.
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To me, RaiQuan Gray is like a grounded tank. He's what you get if you take all the jumping ability away from Zion Williamson.
What Gray can do to move at his size is truly sensational. He's got good guard and passing skills, is a load of a guy who puts his shoulder into people, and is a legitimate multi-positional defender. But he isn't a shooter from distance, and teams could choose to play him in the half-court the way they choose to with Zion: go underneath everything and stay lane protected. I don't see that changing for Gray until he becomes a really reliable 3-point or pull-up shooter. Teams go under all screens or handoffs in exaggerated fashion. Help defenders don't collapse as much as a result., which handicaps his passing upside. There's a lot here to like, but a lot to be pessimistic about. At 21 years old, Gray isn't the youngest guy to be considered for the second round. I think he's a second-round talent whose lack of polish is going to likely drive him closer to undrafted territory. Let's not beat a dead horse. I'm a huge Deuce guy. He's a top-20 prospect IMO who has a super high ceiling, simply because he's only three years into basketball-specific training after being a major football recruit in high school. Give me his mentality, toughness, intangibles, on-ball defense and tough shot-making any day of the week. He's turning himself into a legitimate shooter who can play off-ball. He's perfect for the Marcus Smart pitbull role on a winning team.
Queta is massive and really skilled in some areas. He bulldozered everyone in the MWC in the low post, and his usage rate down there is insanely high. That said, he showed glimpses of impact in other areas that make me believe NBA functionality is there, and he isn't just a giant who beat up on smaller mid-major talent.
The passing is what feels real to me. He's smart, albeit somewhat stiff, with his reads and playmaking ability. He's unselfish and would be functional in the short roll. He's also a legitimate rim protector when he wants to be. Add it all up and Queta is definitely worth a second-round look. He smells like a solid prospect that will fly under the radar. |
AuthorAdam Spinella, Head Boys Basketball Coach at Boys' Latin School (MD) Archives
July 2021
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