Scouting Report: Zach LaVine, G, UCLA
UCLA freshman Zach LaVine may be the poster child for potential over production. Despite an unimpressive first season in the NCAA, one that had some questioning his decision to turn pro, LaVine finds himself on the cusp of the lottery, based entirely on what he may be able to do eventually. What he may be able to do eventually, it turns out, is be one of the biggest game-changers in this loaded draft, if everything breaks right.
Background
| Position | DX Rank | ESPN Rank | Height w/o Shoes | Weight (lbs.) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| SG/PG | 27 | 12 | 6' 4.5" | 181 |
| Wing | Vert (in.) | Standing Reach | Hand Length (in.) | Agility (sec.) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 6' 8.25" | 41.5 | 8' 4" | 8.25 | 10.42 |
| NCAA Stats | PPG | RPG | APG | FG% | 3FG% |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2013-14 | 9.4 | 2.5 | 1.8 | 44.1% | 37.5% |
Scouting Report
Strengths: The best place to start is probably at the combine, where LaVine was unquestionably one of the two or three most impressive players. He's bigger than expected, big enough to stick at the two if need be, he's long, he's quick, and he can jump out of the gym. Most of that manifested itself in flashes at UCLA, but it was his shooting that stuck out in game situations, and it's that same stroke that he'll probably rely on for playing time while he works on the rest of his arsenal.
Weaknesses: While LaVine is tall and long enough for the two, he's just 181-pounds, so he definitely needs to add some size and strength. If he's at the point, that's less of an issue, but his shot selection and the balance between scoring and facilitating is then a concern. Anyone drafting him knows he's a bit of a project, though, and any weakness you bring against him falls under the "fixable" heading.
Highlight Reel
What to Expect on Draft Day
There is no player who has as wide a range on draft day, full stop. Reports have been steady that sometimes are enamored with LaVine and others don't like him at all; further to that, situation matters, as he'll need development time and needs to land on a team that can afford to be patient. That's why it almost seems like sliding further in the first round could be a good thing, though not so far that he doesn't see playing time. In any case, his range starts around No. 10 and probably extends into the early 20s.