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2016 NBA Draft Prospects: Breaking Down Future of Florida State's Malik Beasley

Published by Bleacher Report on Tue, 24 May 2016


There wasn't much NBA buzz surrounding Malik Beasley entering his freshman year at Florida State. Even after a productive start, it took a month or two for him to receive recognition within the 2016 draft conversation.It eventually became clear that Beasley's numbers weren't fluky, and that his physical tools and game seem like a solid NBA fit.He now appears locked into June 23's first round. With strong workouts and interviews, Beasley could potentially generate interest from teams selecting in the late-lottery range.Relevant StatsWhile Beasley's 20.9 points per 40 minutes were strong, it's his 47.1 percent field-goal clip and 58.3 percent true shooting percentage that are most encouraging.His 1.6 threes per game, 38.7 percent three-point clip and 81.3 percent mark from the line also bode well for his potential as a shooter.Even his 7.1 rebounds per 40 minutes was a top-notch mark for a guard. He isn't a playmaker, which you could tell from his 51 assists and 59 turnovers, but nothing from the stats should trigger any alarms.StrengthsA terrific athlete, Beasley may be the most explosive 2-guard in the first-round discussion. He's an easy-bucket machine in transition, where he can fly down the floor and ultimately soar above the rim.His bounce translates to dunks off fast breaks and any action toward the basket (slashes, drives, cuts).In the half court, Beasley threatens the defense off the ball with an accurate three-point stroke. He shows rhythm in catch-and-shoot situations. Of his 55 made threes (in 34 games), 51 were assisted, per Hoop-Math.com. Beasley ultimately looked like a convincing shooter during his one-and-done season at Florida State.He also looked fairly advanced scoring with the runner or floater. We've seen sharp footwork and soft touch, and though he still needs work, he's capable of stopping and popping before traffic.Beasley also demonstrates a tight shot selection and doesn't hunt or force heat checks. He was productive but also super efficient. His feel for scoring within his team's offense should lead to a smoother college-to-pro transition.He gives strong defensive effort, and because he's laterally quick, coaches may want to stick him on opposing teams' ball-handlers.WeaknessesAt just 6'4 ", 189.8 pounds with a 6'7" wingspan, Beasley lacks size, strength and length relative to others at his position.Creating shots isn't his forte, so he doesn't project as a one-on-one scorer, and he only got to the line 3.8 times per game.Meanwhile, his 9.8 percent assist percentage, per Sports-Reference.com, ranks last of any 2-guard on the first-round radar.He's not dangerous out of pick-and-rolls or isolation.Defensively, he can get a little jumpy and aggressive, and he leaves home too often.Pro ComparisonsWesley MatthewsBeasley will start his career with a jumper, line-drive game and defensive motor.He projects as a similar three-and-D 2-guard to the Dallas Mavericks' Wesley Matthews.They're complementary shot-makers and opportunistic scorers, though you wouldn't want them first or second in your offensive pecking order.Beasley must become more disciplined on defense, but his foot speed and competitiveness portend perimeter ball-stopper potential.Latrell SprewellLike Latrell Sprewell did, Beasley plays with fire, energy and burst. They both put pressure on the rim in the open floor.Sprewell was never a giant or an advanced ball-handler, but he developed into a threatening shooter, mid-range scorer, slasher and tough defender. These are all areas Beasley has flashed high potential in, so Sprewell is a ceiling comparison if Beasley bolsters his strengths to the max.Best-Case ScenarioHe's only 19 years old and still has plenty of room for growth in terms of expanding and sharpening his ball skills. It's really anyone's guess how much he adds to his game over the next five years, but there's already a strong foundation for him to build on, given his shooting, athleticism and defensive ability.Having measured under 6'5" without great length, it's tough to envision a future All-Star. But with the right fit and opportunity, developing into a quality starting 2-guard will be an attainable feat.Worst-Case ScenarioHis game doesn't scream monster upside, but Beasley's floor seems high.He'll enter the league with top-shelf athleticism, a dependable jumper and a built-in motor. With those attributes, you get the impression he'll have something to offer from day one to year No. 10.Even if he fails to make any notable progress, we should still be talking about a two-way energy reserve.PredictionHis NBA-friendly blend of shooting, athleticism and energy could go a long way in what appears to be an underwhelming first-round field. Beasley looks like an NBA player, even if his ceiling doesn't pierce through the clouds.I'm expecting him to go somewhere in the No. 12 to No. 20 range. And as long as there is an opening in his team's rotation (which so many teams have at the off-guard slot), he should be able to earn some minutes right away.He'd currently sit top 15 on my predraft big board heading into June.I anticipate Beasley emerging as a starter by 2018 and holding that status for years to come.
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