A Scout's Take: Why Chattanooga's Jake Stephens Should be on NBA Radars
Jake Stephens’ preseason Southern Conference Player of the Year selection is coming to fruition. After following head coach, Dan Earl, from VMI to Chattanooga as a interconference graduate transfer, Stephens is pacing the conference in scoring (21.5, 10th in NCAA) and rebounding (10.3) while leading Chattanooga in points, rebounds, assists (3.4) and blocks (2.5) through 13 games.
He’s been a conference force over the past couple of seasons, quietly having a case as the best mid-major big man and shooting big in the country. Let’s take a look at why stretch big, Jake Stephens, who per Cerebro Sports, now ranks second in C-RAM (13.9) amongst all NCAA players, should be on NBA radars.
‘22-’23 Stats: 21.5 points I 10.3 rebounds I 3.4 assists I 2.5 blocks I 0.8 steals I 46% 3-pointer shooter
An Alluring Combination of Size and 3-Point Shooting
Every NBA team wants size and shooting, especially when it’s found in one player. It’s one of the main reasons why stretch bigs are coveted and will always have a place in a NBA system (NBA and G-League affiliate). The size and shooting combination of Jake Stephens checks in at a listed 7-feet and 270 pounds with a 46% 3-point mark on 4.8 attempts per game.
Check out some of his shooting numbers:
95th percentile on all jumpshots
91st percentile on catch-and-shoots
48.6% on guarded threes (18-of-37)
44% on unguarded threes (11-of-25)
49% from three last season (5 attempts per game)
38% career three-point shooter (562 attempts)
The list of of big men in the country getting ran off of middle pindown screen is VERY short, let alone at 7-foot and 270lbs. Strictly in terms of size, his listed frame is comparable to Brook Lopez (7-foot-1, 282 pounds), Joel Embiid (7-feet, 280 pounds) and Nikola Jokic (6-foot-11, 284 pounds). Stephens truly is a confident and fluid shooter with upside as a movement shooter.
Most of his usage and damage will be as a spot-up and pick-and-pop shooter, where he’s already very comfortable. On spot-up threes, Stephens is shooting at a 37.5% clip (9-of-24). He owns a 33% mark on pick-and-pop-3s (7-of-21), a number I’m fine with and likely will go up a bit.
Capable Closeout Attacker
When you’re a shooting threat that’s playing off spot ups, being able to attack closeouts is a necessary complement. Stephens won't be attacking closeouts with burst and creativity off the bounce, but he’s a capable closeout attacker with a functional direct line handle plus the size and touch around the rim with both hands to finish there.
This has to be my favorite closeout attack from him so far this season. Under control, and shows off the touch on the floater.
Functional Passing
Over the past two seasons, Stephens has averaged just under 3.5 assists per game and is essentially at that mark this season at a team leading 3.4 assists. He functions as an offensive hub and primary playmaker for Chattanooga, which allows him to showcase credible passing ability within the flow of a halfcourt offense. He’s effective at finding cutters and divers as a stationary passer all over the floor and in dribble handoff actions.
Although teams won’t running offense through him because he doesn't have that level of vision and decision making, there’s an opportunity to take advantage of his functional passing.
Why the Lack of Mainstream Draft Attention?
Stephens has a clear NBA role and skill, but why the lack of mainstream draft attention? It comes down to athleticism, defense and age (23 years old).
There isn't much vertical pop, quick twitch fibers or lateral quickness to Stephens’, which calls into question his finishing ability amongst NBA size and length as well as his defense in space. Opposing teams will constantly look to attack him in pick-and-rolls, especially when switching, making Stephens essentially a drop coverage only big.
Similarly to what he’s already doing at the collegiate level to a 3.3 stocks per game mark (2.5 blocks and 0.8 steals per game), he’ll need to compensate for less than ideal athleticism by utilizing his size and length to become a serviceable NBA defender. I’m certainly not expecting those type of stocks numbers or rim protection, it’s just noteworthy that he’s providing defensive impact with his physical tools and must find a way to leverage them again to stay on a NBA floor with elite athletes.
I’m hoping to see more flashes of defense like below in space, showing some short area fluidity then using his size and length to get stops.
Conclusion
If Chattanooga can punch a ticket to the NCAA tournament, Stephens will have a chance to capture mainstream eyes and receive a bit of the “tournament boost.” NCAA tournament or not, as I’ve mentioned before when discussing him, I would love to see him receive an invite to the Portsmouth Invitational Tournament. His size, production and clear NBA role path as a stretch big warrant an invitation.
Stephens is absolutely a prospect that should be on NBA radars and likely will receive G-League and Exhibition-10 interest (one-year, minimum NBA contract that can be converted to a two-way deal).
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