“Situational Evaluation” is a collection of articles that seeks to look at the circumstances that the majority usually affect an NBA prospect’s success. Every participant will probably be scored on a scale from 1-10 in 4 totally different classes: NBA-specific ability(s), flaw(s), collegiate/abroad/pre-NBA surroundings, and superb NBA ecosystem.
Gradey Dick is a 19-year-old wing from Wichita, Kansas, who averaged 14.1 factors, 5.1 rebounds and 1.7 assists per recreation for the Kansas Jayhawks. He’s anticipated to be chosen within the backside half of the lottery on this yr’s draft. NBADraft.web at present has him projected at No. 9.
NBA-Particular Abilities
Gradey Dick may very well be the very best shooter on this yr’s draft.
At 6-8 with a excessive launch level and flawless fundamentals, Dick can get his shot off towards just about any defender. He wants solely a sliver of daylight earlier than he units and fires.
Dick is a strong shooter off the dribble, however he’s deadly off the catch. He can curl round flare screens or rise and fireplace off dribble handoffs towards snoozing defenders.
Dick canned 40.3% of his 3-point makes an attempt for the Jayhawks on almost six makes an attempt a recreation. Even when most defenses schemed to decelerate Dick’s capturing skill, he discovered quite a lot of methods to get it performed.
Dick can be a wonderful foul shooter (85%) and there may be little concern that his bounce shot will translate to NBA 3-point vary.
He isn’t only a one-dimensional capturing risk, both. Dick can deal with the ball and assault aggressive closeouts. He’s additionally an adept playmaker with a excessive IQ and low turnover price. He probably received’t be requested to be a group’s main offensive possibility, however his capturing gravity and court docket savvy ought to enable him to carve out a decade-long area of interest as a strong NBA starter.
He’s a greater rebounder than you’d count on, and his lively arms (1.5 steals per recreation) assist disguise a few of his defensive limitations.
On a scale from 1-10, Dick’s capturing skill at his peak charges at a 9.
Flaws
Opponents will exit of their solution to hunt him on protection.
Dick is a good-not-great athlete with out a variety of size/quickness to make up for it. He’ll battle to remain in entrance of the NBA’s apex-predator wings. If he can’t develop right into a satisfactory wing defender, Dick’s future could be as an offensive specialist who can’t see the ground in high-leverage playoff conditions.
He probably isn’t going to be requested to create his personal shot, as he doesn’t have the slippery herky-jerky ball-handling strikes that elevate a prospect from “nice spot-up shooter” to “elite offensive possibility.” Dick’s dribbling skill can get him past an over-aggressive closeout, however he might want to develop a floater, as we probably received’t see Gradey Dick ending over/by means of elite NBA shotblockers.
On a scale from 1 (not a priority) to 10 (severe hindrance), Dick’s lack of explosiveness and doable defensive shortcomings price at an 8.5.
Pre-NBA Setting
The legend of Gradey Dick started in Wichita, the place his stellar play earned him spots on the McDonald’s All-America Staff and the Nike Hoop Summit, however these had been simply appetizers forward of the primary course – the 2022 Gatorade Participant of the 12 months award.
He was one of the crucial sought-after highschool recruits, nevertheless it appeared inevitable that he would keep near dwelling and play for Invoice Self’s Kansas Jayhawks. Dick teamed up with Jalen Wilson to kind one of the crucial formidable wing mixtures in faculty basketball.
Dick earned a spot on the Huge 12’s All-Freshman Staff and helped Kansas towards one other No. 1 seed, however the Jayhawks had been upset by a hard-nosed Arkansas squad within the second spherical, the place Dick was restricted to solely 7 factors on 3-9 capturing.
He’s younger for his class (doesn’t flip 20 till Nov. 20), so he has loads of time to fill out bodily.
On a scale of 1-10, Dick’s pre-NBA profession charges at a 9. It will have been greater had Kansas superior farther within the NCAA Event, nevertheless it’s arduous to prime Gatorade Participant of the 12 months honors.
Splendid NBA Ecosystem
The Pacers at No. 7 is probably going his highest doable draft spot. Dick would fill a gap on the wing and group up with Buddy Hield to present the Pacers’ mind belief of Rick Carlisle and Tyrese Haliburton the chance to create a high-scoring, floor-spacing machine.
Dick likeliest touchdown spot, nonetheless, is in Utah, the place the shocking Jazz squad may add Dick to their already-sterling perimeter assault. Will Hardy is an ideal coach for him, and the followers in Utah would clearly fall in love with him. Think about the look on a Salt Lake Metropolis instructor’s face when a half-dozen college students stroll into faculty sporting a Dick jersey.
It’s additionally exceedingly doable the Dallas Mavericks choose him at No. 10. Luka Doncic wants assist, and Dick gives an amazing spot-up capturing possibility to assist that offense breathe a bit bit.
On a scale from 1-10, Dick’s situational dependence charges at a 9. Dick’s superb touchdown spot would mix a inventive coach who can devise intelligent methods to run him off screens, whereas scheming round his defensive limitations.
