Scouting Report: Glen Rice Jr

Glen Rice Jr was unceremoniously dismissed from the Georgia Tech basketball team last season after having multiple prior incidents that resulted in suspensions and benchings. At the time, Rice Jr was on nobodies draft radar as his play on the court had been inconsistent and his character questions off the court were major red flags. Instead of transferring to another school or entering his name in the draft only to go undrafted, Glen Rice Jr decided to take the road less traveled by signing up for the NBA D-League. Up until February, Rice Jr had only played sparingly for the Rio Grande Valley Vipers but got his chance to start due to injuries and never looked back. Rice Jr earned a starting spot for the rest of the season and ended up being a key component for the Vipers en route to winning the D-League title.

The first thing Rice Jr's season shows is that there is no "right" path to take to the draft. Everyone is different and thrives in different places. For Rice Jr, a wake up call at Georgia Tech helped get his head on straight. He was removed from the college lifestyle of drinking and partying and relegated to a life of long bus rides and zero notoriety. No red flags turned up from his one season in the D-League, but there will be some skepticism about whether he can continue down a straight path once he becomes part of the NBA lifestyle.

Rice Jr also benefited from the D-Leagues playing style and pro culture. At Georgia Tech, Rice Jr flashed occasional ability with NBA type plays, but was unselfish and often settled for jumpers. In the D-League, where 24 second shot clocks prepare you for the NBA, Rice Jr was forced to become more aggressive and attack more - which paid off in a big way. Rice Jr was also able to practice unlimited hours unlike in college and hit the weight room hard, as evident from the muscle mass his body added over the season.

When scouting Rice Jr in the D-League, its an easier evaluation to judge his game than watching him in college. The floor is more spaced, the tempo is much faster, and the floor is filled with athletes. After shooting 33% from 3 in his final year at Georgia Tech, Rice Jr ended up shooting 38.5% from a couple feet back in the D-League from NBA range. Rice Jr was always regarded as a good shooter even through his struggles, but his success in the D-League is rock solid evidence that he can shoot lights out in the NBA as well.

Rice Jr was also able to show a post game in the D-League - something you rarely get a glimpse at from wings in college. While there was reason to believe Rice Jr could add a post game based of his attributes in college, actually seeing it materialize is another thing. Its easy for scouts to picture Rice Jr now as a NBA wing because the environment he played in had him doing the same things NBA wings are asked to do.

At the same time the D-League was allowing Glen Rice Jr to show off all his strengths, it also spotlighted his lack of energy at times and poor defense. But just as you can attribute the environment for part of his offensive maturation, you can blame it for some of his defensive shortcomings.

For one, Rice Jr played a lot as a stretch forward where he had to guard post players. Rice Jr got beat up defensively on the block. Rice Jr was a NBA frame, but still has plenty of room to fill out between the shoulders. He's done a great job this year starting that process.

The D-League season is also more of a grind and a lack of defense/effort at times isn't harped on as much as it is in college. While it is nobodies fault but Rice Jr's for being slow to get back on defense, this wasn't something that looked like an issue while he was at Georgia Tech. At Tech, Rice Jr was a good defender who created steals and blocks by using his instincts and athleticism.

Having said all that, I decided that it was best that I also take a hard look at Glen Rice Jr's game film from not just the D-League, but from college as well to level the playing field from him and other prospects.

While watching, it was easy to make sense of his success this year. He showed the ability to shoot from range, off screens, and off the dribble. He also showed that he had a very good feel for the game on the offensive level and could get to the rim when he wanted to. However, Rice Jr was often too passive and unselfish to take advantage of that.

As a shooter, Rice Jr tended to prefer to shoot while moving to the right. This was a bit odd considering that on the Vipers he always looked to go left. Rice Jr displayed that same excellent shooting touch from all over the court as he did this season. There is no questioning his shooting abilities - just like there was no questioning his former all-star father's shooting abilities. He has a quick effortless release and did a nice job at Georgia Tech getting set to shoot coming off screens - both with and without the ball.

At Georgia Tech, Rice Jr had a tendency to make some shots harder than they had to be. He would hesitate on 3-pt shots, often taking an extra dribble when he didn't have too. Rice Jr is a good shooter off the bounce, but he could have been more efficient with more set shots.

His patience and unselfishness on offense also showed good things too. He's an excellent passer for his height/position. He lets the game come to him and will make quick touch passes to teammates if they are open. Rice Jr understands ball movement and isn't focused on his own stats. He got the ball in the post and also did a nice job subsequently cutting to the rim for easy baskets.

His ability to move in space and find the soft spot on defenses is one of the reasons he did such a good job for the Vipers. In college, there is less space but he still managed to show off this strength of his. He was able to both facilitate offense and score around the foul line, showing nice touch on a floater in the process. He also did a nice job working off the ball coming around screens.

Rice Jr also got some pick and roll looks. While he didn't usually attack the defense from this position with the dribble, he did make some nice passing from these sets showing off his court vision. Rice Jr has very good awareness and a high hoops IQ on the offensive end. He also took a lot of 3-pt jumpers in pick and roll sets - again, often moving to his right.

When it comes to his attacking game, this is one area where he showed flashes but not consistently enough. This year in the D-League he made major improvements by attacking defenders who closed out hard on him. In college, he showed the same kind of hesitations on closeouts, but a lot of times he still ended up shooting a jumper. When he did attack, he was very successful thanks to a good first step and wide shoulders. Rice Jr isn't quick with the ball, but he does remain under control in drives and is able to cross up defenders. He also showed off his handles in transition where behind the back moves weren't uncommon.

Another thing that I would classify as "NBA moves" that Rice Jr showed off was his ability to get to the rim with only two bounces. This showed in the D-League as well. He's a great straight line attacker who can mix in a crossover move if necessary. When it comes to finishing, Rice Jr has some dexterity, explosiveness, and strength at the rim. Finishing can become a big strength for him as well.

At this point in time, Rice Jr needs to threat of the jumper to create most of his offense. Although he has a nice driving game, he struggles to get by defenders in isolation/standstill situations. His first step isn't elite and his quickness is below average. Watching him in the D-League, it was very telling watching him discover this for himself against elite athletes.

Defensively, Rice Jr uses his athleticism to get both blocks and steals. He is a great shot blocker coming from the weakside. And while he looked disinterested in help defense in the D-League at times, he showed very promising awareness at Georgia Tech. At Georgia Tech he also did a good job staying disciplined while contesting shots and coming up with steals. He has the frame to handle physical wings and the versatility to guard multiple positions. There is a concern with his foot speed on the perimeter and he certainly won't be a lock down guys, but he's IQ and end to end athleticism can allow him to be a very good team defender (see James Posey). For that to happen though, he will need to change the bad habits he developed this year in the D-League in terms of not hustling and being attentive. At times it looked like he had zero awareness on the defensive end, but I think that is more attributed to his energy/focus than his feel and understanding for the game.

Overall, Glen Rice Jr has used his one year out of college to turn himself into a legitimate NBA prospect and he should definitely be drafted. The question now is "how high?". He has an edge on the rest of the prospects when it comes to adjusting to the NBA game and he also has the shooting ability that will translate right away. After reviewing his college tape, his D-League success doesn't seem like a fluke at all. Scouts will still have to question whether he can keep his head on straight once he gets drafted, but he has the talent of the possible first round draft pick in this draft.

All-American Doug McDermott

After playing alongside Harrison Barnes in high school, Doug McDermott is used to being overlooked. He was a solid big man alongside Barnes that did the little things. His play was admired, but not celebrated. His teammate Barnes was being compared to Kobe Bryant. Nobody was comparing McDermott to Larry Bird.

Barnes left North Carolina to be a lottery pick over the summer and now finally McDermott has a chance for the spotlight. He went into this season as the top returning scorer in college basketball and one of the favorites to win National Player of the Year. His team is no longer underlooked either - they look to be a legitimate top 15, maybe even top 10 team.

Now McDermott has expectations. His game will be placed under a microscope. All of this, yet Im not sure fans understand what his game is all about.

McDermott is an outstanding shooter, hitting over 48% from deep last year. But that shouldn't define his game. If anything, the mystique of his shooting ability may be overrated, which in turn underrates what all he brings to the table.

McDermott only made 1.5 3-pt shots per game last year. He's far from a product of his father's system. He's far from a one trick pony that runs around screens all day to get him open looks. He's not one of those leading NCAA scorers playing on a high possession team or a team that doesn't win. He doesn't take bad shots and he isn't even the focus of the offense. 

His dad isn't the coach of Grinnell College and McDermott isn't Jack Taylor. McDermott is a basketball player and one of the best in the country.

All in all, McDermott is different from your average NCAA scoring leader.

Despite his preseason accolades, its time for him to get credit for all he does. None of it is circumstantial - he is legitimately one of the best players in the country. He is. I'm not sure people really believe that when they place him on All-American teams.

First of all, McDermott is a heck of a post player. That is his bread and butter in the college game. Around 3 shots per game come from deep, but plenty more come from inside the paint (nearly 3 quarters). McDermott is a relentless worker in the post, never allowing the opponent to catch him relaxed and at mercy of being pushed around. McDermott is the aggressor and takes it to the opponent before they can take it to him. He sprints down the court as if there is a sale on prime real estate near the rim each and every time.

McDermott gets to the line and is doing his best job at it this year. He's getting to the line nearly 7 times this year in only 29 minutes. He does an excellent job drawing contact and does an even better job at finishing through it. He displays great body control and is able to use his body to get his short shots at the rim off against longer defenders. He absorbs the contact, shows great concentration on the rim, and has great touch with either hand. The biggest thing may be his competitiveness - he is not going to be denied getting the rim.

McDermott can score through the Hansbrough method, but also has great footwork in the paint and a high skill level. Consistently finishing up and unders, hook shots, and occasionally a turnaround jumper, McDermott is one of the most skilled post players in the country. And one of the most true.

All this talk about stretch forwards and McDermott's transition to the SF in the pros, yet McDermott is a pure power forward at Creighton. Its a huge part of his game. He relishes the contact and the physicality inside. He rebounds well despite his 6-8 wingspan and his shortcomings athletically. His feel for the power forward position is outstanding and would be tough to take away at the next level.

He shows great feel in the paint without the ball - not just with his constant work to get open in the post, but coming around screens and finding the soft area of the defense. His savvy knowledge of how to get open combined with his constant fight to get open equates to him getting good looks. Simple really. 

Creighton's offense is one of the best in the country and very fun to watch. In a lot of ways, McDermott is just another player. He almost looks like a role player with the way he has to scrap on offense. He doesn't have a large amount of plays for him and he scraps at the hoop. He crashes the offensive glass, runs the court in transition, really, he does just about everything to get the ball in the hoop. There is a lot that goes into McDermott scoring 23 points per game and the biggest thing is hustle. I'd say he gets half of his points off hustle, but then again, his scoring ability is testament to his motor. 

Getting through a McDermott article without touching much on his shooting is actually quite easy. Its not his game. He shot over 60% from the field last year. That is truly remarkable. There is so much about McDermott's game you are missing out on if you just assume he is a shooter. 

And there will be so much about his game in the pros that you will miss out on if you treat him just as a spot up threat. 

Herein lies the hard part - what to make of McDermott's pro potential.

And with that, I'm out. Somethings are just more fun to watch unfold.

Scouting Report: Ray McCallum

Height: 6'2''
Weight: 190lbs
Wingspan: 6'3''
BDay: 6/12/91

Team: Detroit
Class of 2014

After being named a McDonald's All-American, Ray McCallum decided to go the mid-major route in order to play for his father, who bears his same name. Playing at a smaller school has failed to give McCallum the kind of exposure to generate tons of hype, but make no mistake about it, McCallum has done a great job in his time for the Detroit Titans. He is coming off a first team All-Conference season where he finished strong to earn conference tournament MVP while leading his team to the NCAA tournament. This year, he should be the favorite to take home Horizon League Player of the Year honors.

While only completing two years so far, McCallum appears to have already mastered the college game. No he isn't dominating, but he generally has complete control of the game and handles his job of point guard in a professional matter. He is a vocal leader for the Titans as well as leading by example, exuding tremendous effort on both the offensive and defensive ends of the court.

Offensively, McCallum has a good feel for the game and executes a lot of his offense out of the pick and roll. The majority of his team's possessions are ran out of this set which is good practice for a point guard who is looking to make the jump to the NBA. In pick and rolls, McCallum is very effective driving to the hoop - to either side - and shows off a nice crossover and steady ball handling skills. While not a terrific athlete, McCallum is quick and able to break down defenders and is surprisingly strong around the rim. He does a good job of changing speeds, splitting defenders, and has a sneaky quick burst. Once he gets going, he can weave through the lane. His craftiness between the 3-pt arc and the lane isn't amongst the elite, but it is a good compliment to his first step and finishing ability. He is an explosive leaper with a good frame to handle contact. While he has a short wingspan (6'3''), he does a great job of finishing plays in a number of different ways. In this matter, his game is very advanced. He shows off the Euro step, pump fakes, up and unders, scoop lay-ups....you name it, McCallum has incorporated it into his game. He has the looks of a guy who will be able to score in the lane in the NBA, despite his short limbs.

One thing that is admirable about McCallum is that he doesn't get a lot of easy baskets. He earns his baskets in the halfcourt setting by getting to the hoop. He doesn't score much of threes and from the games I saw, his team didn't run as much as the year before (I could be wrong about that, but regardless, McCallum is one of the better halfcourt point guards Ive evaluated).

As a point guard, McCallum has the leadership ability down pact. He is also unselfish, although he does have to do more creating at the mid-major level. At the Adidas Nations though, he reportedly played very unselfishly which is no surprise. His dad was a big time scorer, but his son has more qualities of a son of a coach rather than a son of an elite scorer. When McCallum has the ball in his hands, there is a sense of calm. He is a good ball handler and runs the team like its his own. He takes good care of the ball, and did an even better job of that in his sophomore year despite increased work load. He also shown noticeable improvement in other areas of his game such as shooting and halfcourt offense which is a good sign of a strong work ethic.

As a passer, McCallum has a high basketball IQ and understanding of the game, but has some work to do. He isn't a special creator at this point, but there is no question that he is a point guard. At this level, McCallum's passing may suffer due to the fact that his teammates can't handle some of his bullet passes. Its up to a point guard to put his teammates in positions where they know they can make a play though, but I do expect McCallum to look like a better passer at the next level.

McCallum is a streaky shooter who uses too much wrist action on his jumper. He made the same amount of threes per game as his freshman year, but shot more than one more per game, bringing his 3-pt average down to 24% his sophomore season. His game doesn't revolve around his shot at all though, and     I believe he can get away with just being an average shooter. The good news is his free throw percentage went up to 76%, which is important considering his game is based on penetration. He shows flashes of a mid-range jumper and can make some unorthodox shots as well, which is a good sign. Once inside the 3-pt lines, McCallum is a gamer who has a good understanding of finding a way to get a quality shot off.

Defensively, McCallum is terrific at the college level. He plays with great intensity, pressures the ball, and makes sure everyone else is playing up to par as well. He shows solid awareness and does a good job on the glass. His length is below average, but he has good lateral quickness and gets a decent amount of steals for a player who stays at home on defense. He is also able to be physical and definitely knows the importance of defense. His dad has to be proud of the way his son plays. He is well-coached.

McCallum's physical profile has drawn some concerns, mainly to his already mentioned 6'3'' wingspan. Looking at DraftExpress's measurement history tool, guys who have similar measurements (height, weight, wingspan) to McCallum are players like Will Conroy, Jordan Taylor, Scott Machado, and Jeremy Lin. With McCallum's good lateral quickness, leaping ability, and good frame I don't think this will be a huge factor. He definitely would be a better prospect with a 6'9'' wingspan, but its not a deal breaker. He has better physical attributes than all the players listed above and also still has room to grow strength wise which I think he will. Ultimately, I think McCallum can be one of the more physically tough point guards in the NBA.

Anyway, there are successful point guards who had similar measurements but lacked a solid frame (McCallum weighed in at 190lb this summer at the Deron Williams camp, up 3 pounds from last year). Jordan Farmar, Darren Collison, Luke Ridnour, and Jameer Nelson all boast less then attractive physical specs.

In terms of draft stock, McCallum falls into a group of 4-5 point guards who could go anywhere from mid-first to the second round. I think he looks like a solid first rounder right now and should end of declaring. He doesn't have much more to gain from college as he already plays with the maturity of a senior and a new voice other than his father could further progress his game. Its been a special time for father and son at Detroit, but McCallum is ready to be pushed into a more uncomfortable atmosphere and take on his next challenge.