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.
The case of Trey Lyles is a study in the positive and negative effects of playing on an historically loaded college basketball team.
The Kentucky forward believes daily practices against a roster stuffed with NBA-caliber talent has helped prepare him for the jump to the pros, and he may very well be right. But playing on such a loaded squad also muted his numbers, forced him to play his entire freshman year at a position he's unlikely to play in the NBA, and may ultimately have raised more questions than it answered. Strangely, it may have solidified him as a first-round pick and cost him a shot at being a lottery pick at the same time.
Relevant Background
| Position | DraftExpress Rank | ESPN Rank | Height w/ Shoes | Weight |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| PF | 19 | 12 | 6' 10.25" | 241 |
| Wingspan | Standing Reach | Max Vertical (in.) | Hand Length (in.) | Body Fat % |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 7' 1.5" | 9' | N/A | 9.25 | 12.1% |
| NCAA Stats | PPG | RPG | APG | FG% | 3FG% |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2014-15 | 8.7 | 5.2 | 1.1 | 48.8% | 13.8% |
Scouting Report
Strengths: The fact that Lyles played the three despite standing 6-foot-10 and 240-plus pounds speaks to both his potential versatility and his high basketball-IQ. He's a savvy player who does a lot of smaller things very well for a big - he's a quality passer, can handle the ball, and has a great touch in close. Most notably if he's going to settle in as a playmaking-four is that his range could eventually extend out close to the 3-point line, making him a versatile offensive weapon.
Weaknesses: If Lyles is a three, his weaknesses include quickness and overall athleticism. If he's a four, they include strength. In other words, he's a bit of a tweener, which wouldn't be a huge issue if his outside shot was fully developed already but leaves him as a bit of a question mark as a first-year contributor. There aren't really weaknesses in his skillset, just questions about what, exactly, he is as an NBA player.
Highlight Reel
What to Expect on Draft Day
If it wasn't abundantly apparent yet, the vibe around Lyles is hard to nail down. His range probably begins in the late single-digits and it's impossible to imagine him sliding past his home-country Toronto Raptors at No. 20. There's a ton of room in between and it's easy to imagine him as a fit on several rosters, so it comes down to which of any number of teams wants to make an upside play. And no, while the New York Knicks may be enamored, he's not going as high as No. 4.
