Scouting Report: Rodney Hood, SG, Duke
Rodney Hood has a lot to prove in the pre-draft process, not because he didn't produce this season at Duke but because he's been in a shadow for most of his college tenure. After his freshman season at Mississippi State, Hood sat a year to transfer to Duke, where he was primarily used as a shooter to support Jabari Parker. He was great in that role and should carry his beautiful stroke over to the NBA, but whether his upside extends beyond that niche is a matter of debate.
Background
| Position | DX Rank | ESPN Rank | Height w/o Shoes | Weight (lbs.) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| SG | 22 | 19 | 6' 7.25" | 208 |
| Wing | Vert (in.) | Standing Reach | Hand Length (in.) | Agility (sec.) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 6' 8.5" | 36 | 8' 7" | 8.5 | 11.21 |
| NCAA Stats | PPG | RPG | APG | FG% | 3FG% |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2013-14 | 16.1 | 3.9 | 2.1 | 46.4% | 42.0% |
| 2011-12 | 10.3 | 4.8 | 2.0 | 44.3% | 36.4% |
Scouting Report
Strengths: Hood can shoot, drilling 42 percent of his triples this season while shooting a relatively high volume. Thanks to that stroke, he's also a threat in the mid-range, working well off the ball and getting his shot off quickly and effortlessly. It's not all shooting, however, as Hood has flashed an ability to get to the rim, as well. He's also very big for the two spot, enough that it's easy to see him doing damage if he can develop a post game.
Weaknesses: Despite the great size, Hood isn't a particularly strong defender, something that will surely frustrate if it continues. He also doesn't rebound quite as well as you'd expect for a player of his size, and both of those flaws are owed in part to Hood lacking in the strength department.
Highlight Reel
What to Expect on Draft Day
Hood probably has more riding on workouts with individual teams than most players, given his desire to sell himself as a more complete player than he was able to show in college. Whether he has done that won't be known until his name is called, which, like with the other group of wings of similar standing to Hood, is said to be anywhere from No. 13 to No. 25.