Over the next few weeks, we’re evaluating every SEC player that has a chance of going pro and taking a look at their strengths and weaknesses as the 2018 NBA draft approaches.
Next on the list is Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, who was the starting point guard (for the majority of the season) for the Kentucky Wildcats.
Gilgeous-Alexander, or SGA for short, exceeded expectations as a freshman after overtaking the presumed starter, Quade Green, right at the beginning of conference play.
Gilgeous-Alexander never looked back, starting the last 21 games for the Wildcats and playing his best basketball over that stretch, which helped lead Kentucky to a Sweet 16 appearance.
Let’s dive into SGA’s diagnostic information, his strengths and weaknesses, his potential draft team fits, and his draft range as the 2018 NBA draft gets closer.
Diagnostics
- Name: Shai Gilgeous-Alexander
- Height: 6’6”
- Weight: 180 lbs.
- Points Per Game: 14.4
- Assists Per Game: 5.1
- Rebounds Per Game: 4.1
- Field-Goal Percentage: 48.5%
- Three-Point Percentage: 40.4%
- Free-Throw Percentage: 82.2%
- Points Per 100 Possessions: 24.4
- Assists Per 100 Possessions: 8.7
- Rebounds Per 100 Possessions: 7.0
Strengths
- Frame
For a point guard, SGA has incredible length and frame.
At 6’6” with a 7’0” wingspan, he has the prototypical size to play both the one and the two at the next level, and if he can put on a few pounds, that positional versatility and utility will be even more visible early on in his pro career as he tries to find his footing in an NBA system.
His length will cause problems for opposing point guards, and if he can become a little better on the defensive end as far as moving his feet, he can be an elite defensive stopper from the get-go.
- All-around offensive game
SGA was very impressive on the offensive end of the floor this season for the Wildcats, posting 48/40/82 splits over a full season while managing to average nearly nine assists per 100 possessions.
He has a good assist to turnover ratio, and has good efficiency numbers shooting the ball, which translated to a top-5 offensive win shares ranking in the SEC.
If he can transfer that shooting ability to the NBA line, the rest of his game will transition very well early on the offensive end of the floor.
Weaknesses
- Aggressiveness
There are times in the film that SGA can get lost on the offensive end of the floor by being very passive, which isn’t going to do him well in the NBA.
He’s going to need to gain an edge about him as he progresses through the first few years of his career so that he can reach his full potential on the offensive end.
Perhaps this lack of aggressiveness has to do with the system that John Calipari employs at Kentucky, but SGA will have to prove that he can run an offense in the NBA with a certain level of aggressiveness on a consistent basis.
- Release time on jumper
One of the big knocks on SGA’s jumper is the fact that it takes forever to get it off, which could be a concern for some people at the next level.
Longer NBA defenders will be able to contest his shot frequently, and perhaps even block his shot on occasion. That will need to be something that he focuses on in the pre-draft process as well as during his first season, as his jumper can be one of his major strengths moving forward if he can decrease the time from catch (or gather) to release.
The good news is that this particular aspect can certainly be corrected with time and the right coaching.
Draft Team Fits
Here are some of the teams that could benefit from the services of Shai Gilgeous-Alexander:
- Atlanta Hawks
- Utah Jazz
- Oklahoma City Thunder
- Washington Wizards
- Portland Trail Blazers
Draft Range
I think that SGA could be selected anywhere from the top 10 to the top 20 of the first round of the draft, depending on if teams can see him panning out as a point guard.
There even is a chance he could sneak into the top 10 if a team really likes him as a point guard and can’t get the other top point guard choices in Collin Sexton and Trae Young.
No matter where he’s drafted, SGA will definitely have an opportunity to make an impact right away.
Draft Range: Top 10 to Top 20