2018 NBA Draft: Trae Young Scouting Report and Highlights
Trae Young took the college basketball world by storm with a red-hot start to his freshman year, putting himself almost immediately onto the draft radar. He originally planned to play multiple seasons at Oklahoma, his hometown school, but it quickly became clear that the quality of his play had moved him into the one-and-done conversation.
Young's ability to shoot from deep range and make plays using ball screens naturally garnered lofty-if-unfair comparisons to Stephen Curry. Young’s skill level and feel help compensate for a lack of overpowering physical ability.
The Crossover’s Front Office breaks down Young’s strengths, weaknesses, NBA comparison and more in its in-depth scouting report.
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Trae Young, PG, Oklahoma | Freshman
Height: 6’1” | Weight: 180 | DOB: 9/18/98 (19)
Stats: 27.4 PPG, 8.8 APG, 36.1% 3FG
Strengths
• Unique ability to generate offense off the dribble. Comfortable pulling up on a beat from NBA range. Can break down opponents in space and get into the paint.
• Adept at using ball screens. Slithery getting downhill around a pick. Able to make the right read and find open teammates.
• Skill-based finisher who uses floaters and creates angles for himself around the basket despite a lack of vertical explosiveness.
• Led the country in usage rate (38.5%), shouldering a remarkable workload, particularly for a true freshman. Wore down a bit as the season went on, but his sustained run of success as the fulcrum of Oklahoma’s offense was notable.
Weaknesses
• Shot selection could be reined in. Falls back on launching threes when other things aren’t working. Still more shoot-first than pass-first.
• Lacks ideal physical tools. Thin frame is still filling out, but doesn’t have a size advantage, placing onus on his skill and craft to be able to split the difference at a high level.
• Below-average defensively. Had to be hidden at times. Can become a passable team defender but doesn’t pop on that end and can be exposed from an athletic standpoint.
• What parts of his success will directly translate? Which types of shots can he get away with?
Highlights
[youtube:https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BoNvODOQnCs]
Read More
NBA Scouts dish on Trae Young’s pro potential (March 2018)
How Trae Young is transforming Oklahoma on an unprecedented level (February 2018)
Comparison: Mike Conley
While comparing anyone to Steph Curry is a stretch, if Young taps into his full playmaking potential, he could help anchor an offense and also elevate others around him. Having talent around him will be key.
