Scouting Report: P.J. Hairston, SG, UNC/D-League
There may be no player's landing spot more worth watching on draft day than P.J. Hairston's, as the former UNC guard spent the 2013-14 season in the D-League, a rare path for a pre-draft prospect. Only a handful of players have followed that route, and none have been taken in the first round. Hairston is easily the most talented of that group, however, and could have realistically been a lottery pick with a strong junior season at UNC, were it not for a suspension causing him to leave school.
Background
| Position | DX Rank | ESPN Rank | Height w/o Shoes | Weight (lbs.) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| SG | 24 | 18 | 6' 4.25" | 229 |
| Wing | Vert (in.) | Standing Reach | Hand Length (in.) | Agility (sec.) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 6' 9" | 37 | 8' 5" | 8.75 | 11.12 |
| D-League Stats | PPG | RPG | APG | FG% | 3FG% |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2013-14 | 21.8 | 3.5 | 0.8 | 45.3% | 35.8% |
| NCAA Stats | PPG | RPG | APG | FG% | 3FG% |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2012-13 | 14.6 | 4.3 | 1.4 | 43.1% | 39.6% |
| 2011-12 | 5.7 | 2.2 | 0.8 | 30.8% | 27.3% |
Scouting Report
Strengths: Hairston already has great size for the two, and he uses it well when it comes to getting to the rim and finishing. He complements that skill with defensive toughness and anywhere-in-the-gym range, range he's now put on display in the D-League rather than at the college 3-point line. There's also an argument to be made that, at 21 and with a year in the D-League under his belt, he's one of the most game-ready contributors in the draft.
Weaknesses: Obviously, the suspension that caused him to leave UNC looms as a character red flag, as do previous weight issues, but reports are that Hairston has interviewed well with teams and shown a real humility from the experience. On the floor, his mid-range game still needs work as he's not elite working off the ball and hitting from shorter distances, while his handle could also use some tightening up.
Highlight Reel
What to Expect on Draft Day
Hairston is a part of a glut of wings who all project to go roughly in the 13-25 range, and where exactly may end up being due to individual team preferences rather than a consensus on who the best player is. Teams starved for shooting and looking for help immediately will give him a long look, but those unconvinced his motivation will keep up once he's in the show will probably pause.