Brice Sensabaugh: Carmelo Anthony Or Shabazz Muhammad? Maturation Will Be Big Key To Answer

There's no denying the raw talent level of Ohio State freshman Brice Sensabaugh. The 19-year-old is a walking per-minute monster, averaging 27.6 points and 8.6 rebounds per 40 minutes for the Buckeyes this season.

So why is it, with numbers like that, he's not higher on draft boards?

It starts with decision making and the difficulty in projecting what type of player he'll become at the NBA level.

Sensabaugh loves to create, often to the point where he'll dribble himself into possible situations, and ultimately launch shots over double and even triple-teams. He plays a wild brand of basketball, with his determination working almost as a hindrance at times.

He'll foul a ton, often due to uncontrolled energy, and he'll get so caught up in making the big play, he forgets about the small ones. Essentially, if you're an NBA team giving him a proper look, you don't know if you're getting Carmelo Anthony or Shabazz Muhammad.

However, Sensabaugh offers a level of talent that is flat-out undeniable, and a 3-point stroke that should transfer seamlessly to the pro level. He's canning 43.5% of his 4.6 nightly attempts, and does so with a snappy release that defenders rarely get a chance to contest. He doesn't need much space to get it off, and his range is substantial, often taking deep shots after the catch.

His 6-foot-6, 235-pound frame also works on his advantage. He's strong, can absorb contact, and he'll have bigger players bounce off of him on drives.

Additionally, he's got a mid-range game. He'll back opponents down, and hit turnarounds and fadeaways, albeit with altering level of success. But there are markings of intriguing footwork at play, which an NBA coaching staff could put to good use.

Unquestionably, the main skill for Sensabaugh when he hits the NBA is scoring, but he'll need the right system, and he'll need a streamlined shot profile, that allows him to get the most out of his talent.

If he were to embrace a similar scoring style as Harrison Barnes, where his role is easily defined, and the fat is cut off the steak, Sensabaugh could become one of the better complementary scorers in the game, as his nose for offense is that good.

(Note that I'm not arguing for Sensabaugh to mimic Barnes' shot profile specifically, but rather that he finds his own two or three best areas and lean into those, as to optimize his own efficiency.)

Overall, there's a lot to like about Sensabaugh. He's got some ways to go, and his taste for overdribbling and making the big plays will need some adjustments, but you can't argue about the overall skill level. There's a player in there, who could very well be worth being selected in the Top 5, assuming of course the maturation process sticks the landing.

Teams looking for a wing with enormous offensive upside should have him high on their board. He'd be a particularly good fit for the Detroit Pistons, after they pivoted off Saddiq Bey at the trade deadline. With Cade Cunningham and Jaden Ivey locking down the guard spots, and Isaiah Stewart and Jalen Duren operating as the two primary bigs, Sensabaugh would have an immediate role on that young team.

We'll see where he lands in June, but it wouldn't shock me if his stock increased from now to then, and potentially quite considerably.

Unless noted otherwise, all stats via NBA.com, PBPStats, Cleaning the Glass or Basketball-Reference. All salary information via Spotrac. All odds courtesy of FanDuel Sportsbook.

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