2018 NBA Draft: Top 5 point guard scouting reports

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LOS ANGELES, CA – DECEMBER 08: Trae Young #11 of the Oklahoma Sooners drives between Elijah Stewart #30 and Chimezie Metu #4 of the USC Trojans as Khadeem Lattin #3 looks on in an 85-83 Sooner win during the Basketball Hall of Fame Classic at Staples Center on December 8, 2017 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Harry How/Getty Images) /

Trae Young, Oklahoma

Big Board Rank: 9

Strengths: Young has been nothing short of spectacular to start the season, and might be the best college player in awhile. Averaging about 29 points and 10 assists, Young and his Sooners have brought the up tempo, floor spacing, NBA game to college basketball.

Trae Young isn’t just a good shooter, he’s a great shooter. Whether it is off the bounce or coming off an off ball screen Young is a threat to knock it down from anywhere on the court. He doesn’t get a lot of credit for how good of a shooter he is coming off screens, because he has been a very ball dominant point guard.

Another part of Young’s game that makes him so dangerous is his tight handle on the ball. This tight handle helps Young transition easily into those pull up 3-point jump shots from “Curry Range” you see on TV.

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Lastly, what I love about Young’s game is how he runs the pick and roll. The NBA offense relies heavily on pick and roll/pop situations. He’s a wizard in the pick and roll game and I believe that’s where Young is most dangerous. Coming off the on ball screen Young has a lot of room to work with and show off his passing, pull up jump shot, or floaters.

Weaknesses: Young is a little undersized for the modern NBA as a point guard. He doesn’t have long arms, his wingspan is the same as his height at 6-foot-2. Also, Young doesn’t have a wide frame. All of those physical limitations will be a red flag on Young.

Young is nonexistent defensively. Often, Oklahoma will hide Young on the opposing teams worst offensive player, and he still scores on Young. It could just be a lack of effort, but his physical limitations talked about won’t help him defensively at all. Even when he is trying on that end of the floor.

Another thing that should concern teams is Young’s low ceiling. Watching him play you can’t help, but to wonder how does he improve? There’s a few holes in Young’s game and not any eye popping athleticism to build upon. What you see in the first season might just be what you get for the next 5-10 out of Young.

The biggest concern about Young’s game that is rarely talked about is his fit at the next level. Few players in the NBA are good enough to demand the ball at all times like Young does in Oklahoma’s offense. He has plenty of value as a shooter, but he’s gonna need to play off of a ball dominant player.

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Overall Outlook: There’s now knocking Trae Young’s skill he’s a tremendous ball handler and shooter. He might be the most skilled and polished point guard prospect there has been in awhile.

However, there are a lot of teams that won’t be a good fit for Young. There are questions that need to addressed by teams in the interview process as well. How will he respond to a lesser role? Will he be okay with it and still be a good teammate? Will he develop and learn quickly into his new role?