With the No. 48 pick in the 2021 NBA Draft, the Atlanta Hawks have selected Auburn point guard Sharife Cooper.
Cooper's Auburn tenure may have been limited to a dozen outings due to eligibility issues, but the five-star recruit wasted little time establishing himself as a talented playmaker.
The 20-year-old averaged 20.2 points and 8.1 assists under Bruce Pearl and displayed a passing acumen that should translate to the next level. Cooper also earned a spot on the SEC All-Freshman team.
Bio
Position: PG
School: Auburn
College experience: Freshman
Height: 6-foot-1
Weight: 180 lbs
Wingspan: N/A
Max vertical: N/A
Strengths
- Among the upper echelon of passers in the draft
- Adept at navigating the pick-and-roll
- Skilled ball-handler
- Can beat defenders off the dribble with a lightning-quick first step
- Ability to take contact while driving the lane
Weaknesses
- Needs to bulk up to handle the rigors of the pro game
- Registered 4.2 turnovers per contest in college
- Shot just 39.1% from the floor and 22.8% from deep
- Lacks the length to be a disruptive defensive presence
