NBA Draft Top Performance Series: Rayan Rupert
The idea behind the top performance series is to go back and watch the best, or one of the best, box score games of each prospect's season to see how they fared when they were performing at their highest individual level. Doing so might show us what their ceiling as a prospect could be.
While this game versus the Illawarra Hawks happened over eight months ago for Rayan Rupert, it was important to watch a game pre-wrist injury that cost him 2.5 months of his season. Not only were his 17 points the most he scored all season, but the 28 minutes played also gives us the second biggest sample size to watch.
Offense
While the just turned 19-year-old does project as a more off the ball slasher, he is comfortable with the ball in his hands operating in ball screens. This was actually one full fifth of all of his play types via Synergy.
It's intriguing that Rupert has as much experience in these situations as he does, but you'd like to see more production out of these ball screens.
Rupert had some really nice drives out of ball screens — one where he refused the screen and another where he snaked it — but simply was not able to convert.
The rangy wing also looked comfortable in grab-and-go situations but again, he was not able to turn these into anything overly substantial.
Where his biggest value came on the offensive end in this game was knocking down open catch-and-shoot opportunities.
The overall form on Rupert’s shot looks okay, but he must speed up the process. He has eliminated the extremely low dip from earlier in his career but it still takes him too long from catch to release on the shot.
Rupert does have a good feel for the game with his off-ball movement, keeping the floor spaced and keeping the flow of the offense going by being a ball-mover.
The 6-foot-7 teenager is going to have to grow and expand some aspect of his offensive game whether that be a consistent knock down 3-point shooter or more production with the ball in his hands.
Defense
Rupert combines his height with an insane 7-foot-3 wingspan that is definitely noticeable as soon as you see him on the court.
You will never question his effort or activity on the defensive end of the court as he is constantly bouncing up and down.
The issue is that sometimes this activity actually gets him out of position both on and off the ball.
His on-ball defense was particularly interesting in this game. He was consistently engaged and in a stance but either because of an ill advised reach, hop to the side or inability to stay in front he was beaten off the bounce multiple times.
Rupert’s greatest asset going into this 2023 NBA Draft is his defensive versatility but watching this game will leave you wondering about his ability to stay in front of quicker and more explosive perimeter players.
He does have the body type to make for a good screen navigator and that, combined with his willingness to give multiplier efforts, could prove to be a very valuable skill.
While the season averages definitely won’t jump off the stat sheet, this game was able to showcase his potential as a defensive rebounder. When taking into account many of the qualities we have discussed you can see where that could be a major plus he provides an NBA team from the wing position.
Ceiling
Slashing wing with some ball screen usage and versatile/disruptive perimeter defender.
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