Scouting Report: Mitch McGary, PF, Michigan
Mitch McGary is about as big an unknown as you can get for a sophomore coming off two seasons in a major conference. Unfortunately, McGary dealt with back issues that limited him to just eight games this season, tanking his draft value from its preseason lottery perch. McGary still declared for the draft, thanks in part to a one-year suspension for marijuana use, despite still not being healthy enough to do much of anything in the pre-draft process. And yet here he stands, potentially inside the first round, clearly speaking to his potential.
Background
| Position | DX Rank | ESPN Rank | Height w Shoes | Weight (lbs.) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| PF | 29 | 33 | 6' 10.5" (2013) | 266 (2013) |
| Wing | Vert (in.) | Standing Reach | Hand Length (in.) | Agility (sec.) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 6' 11.5" (2013) | n/a | n/a | n/a | n/a |
| NCAA Stats | PPG | RPG | APG | FG% |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2013-14 | 9.5 | 8.3 | 1.5 | 54.5% |
| 2012-13 | 7.5 | 6.3 | 0.6 | 59.8% |
Scouting Report
Strengths: In a draft with few true big men, McGary is exactly that - an imposing presence in the paint who uses his body exceptionally well. He rarely stops moving and banging, and he's the type of hustle-first player that coaches love. But it's not all brute force with McGary - the Michigan product can shoot the jumper out to 18 feet and has a deft touch.
Weaknesses: The back is an issue, and it's unclear how many teams have had a good look at him since he hit the sidelines in December. On the court, he can be overactive at times, similar to a Tyler Hansbrough, and foul trouble and turnovers could come with such a style. There's also the matter of him still being relatively unproven, with modest numbers in a limited amount of exposure.
Highlight Reel
What to Expect on Draft Day
Teams need size, and how highly they value it will determine where they have McGary on their draft boards. When healthy, he's likely a capable low-post player in the NBA, something this draft doesn't have a lot of, and as a result he could vault up boards as high as the low-20s. Several teams in the 20s could use an extra frontcourt body and because McGary is such a rarity in the class, it's unlikely teams wait too long. He probably won't slide beyond the mid-30s unless there's something unsightly in his medical reports.