Grizzlies select Woodard with No. 40 pick, trade him to Kings

The Memphis Grizzlies have selected Mississippi State forward Robert Woodard II with the No. 40 pick in the NBA draft.

Memphis later traded his draft rights and a 2022 second-round pick to the Sacramento Kings in exchange for Michigan State big man Xavier Tillman, the Kings announced Thursday.

Woodard made a major leap as a sophomore in Starkville, and he enters the NBA as a prototypical 3-and-D frontcourt prospect.

Bio

Position: SF/PF
School: Mississippi State
Height: 6-foot-7
Weight: 230 lbs
Wingspan: 7-foot-1
Max vertical: N/A

Strengths

• Versatile defender who should be able to guard four positions
• Good athlete with hops, great off-ball mover
• Perimeter shooting improved during sophomore season. Shot 43% from deep on 2.3 attempts per game

Weaknesses

• Not a shot-creator, needs to improve handle
• Subpar foul shooter, hitting just 61% of free throws over 65 collegiate games