It's taken a bit to get my former college roommate and NBA scout to give me his thoughts on some of the Duke players, but here it is. Enjoy
RJ Barrett
"There's no doubting his elite talent and he's a true gamer. His 3 pt shot is improved, which was one of the questions NBA guys have talked about. This is still an area of development. At times, RJ trusts his ability more than his basketball awareness because he has shown he can set up teammates, but with the game on the line, his alpha dog mentality comes out even more. Don't get me wrong, this is one of his strengths that will assist him in having a long NBA career, but it doesn't always fit into the structure of the college game. He takes chances and presses with drives in the lane that end up either being a highlight or a dud. I am watching to see how he matures over the season."
Zion Williamson
"Not only can't you compare him to someone else physically, but you can't find a guy like him with that size and his ball handling skills, his agility and his quick change of direction. I think, well at least so far, he's shown he's more of a complete player on both ends than (Marvin) Bagley last year. He's good, better than most first thought but he still needs work on his decision making on when to drive and his tendency to pick of early and/or silly fouls. He's made himself an argument amount Scouts and I could see him going anywhere from 1-5 in the draft."
Cameron Reddish
"The first thing that jumps out (and this was the talk among many of my peers and me) is how much bigger he is now compared to last year as a Sr in HS. He's listed at 6-8, but I'm guessing closer to 6-9 and at least a good 220. He's don't the work there. His knock has always been how motivated he is throughout the game and some of those same questions still echo now. He needs to exert himself more defensively because he projects as a 2-3 type guy in the League, but the guys who start in the NBA at those positions would take it to him immediately. He's been able to hit from range which is a positive for him. He's a top 5 pick now, but if his intensity/fire stays as is, he could drop, but not out of the top 10."
Tre Jones
"Now I've had my doubts, and I can't say that they all have been erased, but he's shown ability. I like his handle and his game IQ. He gets it. He gets it like a coach on the court. Still want to see him make shots and finish drives. I'll be watching those closely. He's got a chance to sneak into the 1st round, but it's too early for me to extend a guess. He's athletic and a dog on D, but he needs to be more of a threat offensively, consistently to have Scouts talking his name as a first round guy."
Marques Bolden
"The big guy sure does have his ups and downs. He's an all or nothing type player and the jury is still out about him being drafted. Physically, he checks boxes. He has to be more consistent. There are flashes and those need to turn into light. I'm not going to offer up anything yet on him"
Javin Delaurie
"Physically has all the gifts from speed, to bounce, and his added strength. Has a motor. Offensively, he's far from a finished product. Can't see him coming out in this draft. He'd benefit from staying all 4 years. These type kids blossom as seniors. He needs to allow the game to slow down still and make better decision under pressure when the game is heated."
Jack White
"An ultimate utility type guy that has really improved. He just gets it done on both ends. What sticks out, is if you look at the box score stats, he quietly has a good line as a guy off the bench. He's strong and his wing span is good but I'd question is he athletic or quick enough to play against NBA 3's. He's another guy that I have not heard about coming out, and he should continue to develop from now through his Sr year."
Alex O'Connell
"He has done work physically but he still needs to continue to add strength. Be ideal to see him in the 190's as a Jr next year. He can make shots and is crafty offensively. Defensively, is another area he needs to focus on. He is still young and it's too early to know much about his draft stock based on what he has done so far."
RJ Barrett
"There's no doubting his elite talent and he's a true gamer. His 3 pt shot is improved, which was one of the questions NBA guys have talked about. This is still an area of development. At times, RJ trusts his ability more than his basketball awareness because he has shown he can set up teammates, but with the game on the line, his alpha dog mentality comes out even more. Don't get me wrong, this is one of his strengths that will assist him in having a long NBA career, but it doesn't always fit into the structure of the college game. He takes chances and presses with drives in the lane that end up either being a highlight or a dud. I am watching to see how he matures over the season."
Zion Williamson
"Not only can't you compare him to someone else physically, but you can't find a guy like him with that size and his ball handling skills, his agility and his quick change of direction. I think, well at least so far, he's shown he's more of a complete player on both ends than (Marvin) Bagley last year. He's good, better than most first thought but he still needs work on his decision making on when to drive and his tendency to pick of early and/or silly fouls. He's made himself an argument amount Scouts and I could see him going anywhere from 1-5 in the draft."
Cameron Reddish
"The first thing that jumps out (and this was the talk among many of my peers and me) is how much bigger he is now compared to last year as a Sr in HS. He's listed at 6-8, but I'm guessing closer to 6-9 and at least a good 220. He's don't the work there. His knock has always been how motivated he is throughout the game and some of those same questions still echo now. He needs to exert himself more defensively because he projects as a 2-3 type guy in the League, but the guys who start in the NBA at those positions would take it to him immediately. He's been able to hit from range which is a positive for him. He's a top 5 pick now, but if his intensity/fire stays as is, he could drop, but not out of the top 10."
Tre Jones
"Now I've had my doubts, and I can't say that they all have been erased, but he's shown ability. I like his handle and his game IQ. He gets it. He gets it like a coach on the court. Still want to see him make shots and finish drives. I'll be watching those closely. He's got a chance to sneak into the 1st round, but it's too early for me to extend a guess. He's athletic and a dog on D, but he needs to be more of a threat offensively, consistently to have Scouts talking his name as a first round guy."
Marques Bolden
"The big guy sure does have his ups and downs. He's an all or nothing type player and the jury is still out about him being drafted. Physically, he checks boxes. He has to be more consistent. There are flashes and those need to turn into light. I'm not going to offer up anything yet on him"
Javin Delaurie
"Physically has all the gifts from speed, to bounce, and his added strength. Has a motor. Offensively, he's far from a finished product. Can't see him coming out in this draft. He'd benefit from staying all 4 years. These type kids blossom as seniors. He needs to allow the game to slow down still and make better decision under pressure when the game is heated."
Jack White
"An ultimate utility type guy that has really improved. He just gets it done on both ends. What sticks out, is if you look at the box score stats, he quietly has a good line as a guy off the bench. He's strong and his wing span is good but I'd question is he athletic or quick enough to play against NBA 3's. He's another guy that I have not heard about coming out, and he should continue to develop from now through his Sr year."
Alex O'Connell
"He has done work physically but he still needs to continue to add strength. Be ideal to see him in the 190's as a Jr next year. He can make shots and is crafty offensively. Defensively, is another area he needs to focus on. He is still young and it's too early to know much about his draft stock based on what he has done so far."
