With the No. 54 pick in the 2020 NBA Draft, the Indiana Pacers have selected high-flying Duke guard Cassius Stanley.
Stanley was a key backcourt fit alongside fellow draft prospect Tre Jones as the Blue Devils went 25-6 and finished second in the ACC. He also held his own as a tertiary option on offense, putting up 12.6 points per game on 36% shooting from deep and making the conference's All-Freshman squad.
His propensity to play above the rim is his most notable quality, as the 19-year-old is one of the most explosive athletes to pass through the Blue Devils in recent years. Prior to his 2019-20 freshman season, he broke the program's vertical leap record held by Zion Williamson.
Stanley recorded a 44-inch vertical at this year's combine, the third-highest since 2000, according to ESPN's Jonathan Givony.
Bio
Position: SG
School: Duke
Height: 6-foot-6
Weight: 195 lbs
Wingspan: 6-foot-7
Max vertical: 44 inches
Strengths
- Incredibly athletic, loves to run out in transition.
- Pairs athleticism with an ability to space the floor, specifically in catch-and-shoot situations; shot three 3-pointers per game at a 36% clip.
- Rebounds well for his position and size; ranked second on Duke with 4.9 boards per game.
- Shows promise as a defender thanks to his lateral quickness.
Weaknesses
- Struggles to create separation from defenders in half-court settings.
- Not a great facilitator for teammates.
- Doesn't fare well off the dribble, was best utilized in off-ball role.
- Free-throw shooting (73%) needs improvement for a rim attacker.
