Scouting Report: Bobby Portis, PF, Arkansas
Tap here to get an in-depth look at the top prospects in this year's draft class leading up to the NBA draft, which takes place on June 25 in Brooklyn.
It's not often an NBA team has the chance to draft the real-life equivalent of Adam Sandler's Bobby Boucher character. That's what they have in Bobby Portis, the Arkansas sophomore who visualizes opponents slapping his mother to fire himself up before games.
Drafting Portis will get a team plenty more than just an interesting story, as there may be no player with as high a floor available outside of the first few picks. While he's unlikely to rise into the top-10 because his upside doesn't blow anybody away, there's as close to a zero-percent chance as possible that Portis doesn't wind up a capable rotation big man at the NBA level.
Relevant Background
| Position | DraftExpress Rank | ESPN Rank | Height w/ Shoes | Weight |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| PF | 18 | 16 | 6' 10.5" | 246 |
| Wingspan | Standing Reach | Max Vertical (in.) | Hand Length (in.) | Body Fat % |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 7' 2" | 9' 0.5" | 31.5 | 9.5 | 8.9% |
| NCAA Stats | PPG | RPG | BPG | FG% | 3FG% |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2014-15 | 17.5 | 8.9 | 1.4 | 53.6% | 46.7% |
| 2013-14 | 12.3 | 6.8 | 1.6 | 50.9% | 27.3% |
Scouting Report
Strengths: There's nothing that Portis can't do at least capably - he's a terrifically well-rounded player who nobody seems to think will fail. Despite his athletic testing numbers underwhelming some, he measured great for a power forward, and he's one of the hardest workers in the draft, a no-nonsense, dirty-areas type of player. With a steady inside scoring game, some solid post moves, a shot that extends reliably out beyond the elbows, and quality, if unspectacular, defense, there's little not to like.
Weaknesses: We just said there's little to like, so why the somewhat tepid draft stock? Among all the things he does well, there's not really anything Portis does exceptionally. His average athleticism limits his overall upside and hurts him some on the defensive glass, and he needs to strengthen his lower body to ensure he can defend on the block, especially since elite rim protection isn't in his profile.
Highlight Reel
What to Expect on Draft Day
The nice thing about Portis' potential role as a rookie is that it fits perfectly with where he could be taken on draft night. He wouldn't be a great match with a rebuilding team swinging for upside or a contender with no room in the rotation, but for those playoff bubble teams in need of a reliable rotation piece, Portis is it. His range probably begins with the Indiana Pacers at No. 11, and it would be a surprising and favorable turn for the Toronto Raptors if he were still around at No. 20. The case can be made for almost any of the teams in between to call the 20-year-old's name on June 25.