NBA Draft Scouting Report: Cincinnati’s Landers Nolley II
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Landers Nolley II
Guard | Cincinnati
Height: 6’7” | Weight: 220 lbs
2023 Draft Age: 23.30
Aaron Doster-USA TODAY Sports
Prospect Profile
Landers Nolley II emerged on the draft scene during his redshirt freshman season at Virginia Tech where he led the Hokies in scoring at 15.5 points per game while averaging 5.8 rebounds and 2.4 assists. After deciding to transfer from Virginia Tech, he became one of the hottest names on the transfer market and landed at Memphis for two years, pacing the Tigers in scoring at 13.1 points per game during his first year. He would hit the transfer market again for his final collegiate stop and lone season at Cincinnati, saving his best season for last and reinvigorating his stock after an up and down tenure as a Tiger.
Last season with Memphis, Nolley II led his third collegiate team in scoring with 16.8 points en route to the top efficiency in the American Athletic Conference in 3-point percentage (41%, 12th in the nation) and second in the conference in made threes (96) alongside 5.8 rebounds and 2.6 assists. This earned him First Team All-AAC honors.
Over the course of his collegiate career, especially in a rebound year this past season, he showcased clear NBA caliber skills and tools that can potentially impact an NBA rotation. Without a doubt, 3-point shooting is Nolley II’s most valuable and translatable NBA skill. Equipped with a quick release and a shooter’s mentality, he’s a career 36% 3-point shooter (723 attempts) that shot a career-best 41% from distance on 6.4 attempts per game this past season at Cincinnati.
He'll need to scale down his on-ball usage, but his terrific shooting numbers are even better off the ball and bodes well for a seamless transition. Nolley II connected on 42.7% of his catch-and shoot threes (124 attempts), 45.8% of his unguarded catch-and-shoot-threes (59 attempts) and 43.8% of his spot up threes (80 attempts). Within his off-ball shooting, is his understanding of screen navigation and utilization of screens to get open, so there’s upside there as well.
Not only is Nolley II a legitimate shooter, he’s a multiple level tough shot maker that can heat up quickly. From pull ups, stepbacks and side steps to runners, post fadeaways and off balanced shots, there is a diet of tough shots that he regularly attempts and has had success with. He’s a multiple level tough shot maker that can heat up quickly. From pull ups, stepbacks and side steps to runners, post fadeaways and off balanced shots, there is a diet of tough shots that he regularly attempts and has had success with.
Nearly half of Nolley II’s 13.2 shot attempts per game come from beyond the arc (6.4) and when you’re the caliber of shooter that he is, opposing teams will prioritize closing out hard and running you off the line. This allows Nolley II to pair his shooting gravity with an incredibly effective shot fake that would make any other prospect in the class jealous.
NBA teams will expect him to fill a 3-and-D role because of his knockdown 3-point shooting, positional size (6-foot-7, 208 pounds) and length (6-foot-11 wingspan). He won't be a stopper or this disruptive force, but he’s competitive and switchable with his physical tools.
While his defensive production wasn’t as high as others in this class, he does have the functional tools and defensive activity to become more consistent on that end. Nolley II may not hear his name called in June’s draft, but absolutely has what it takes to make it in the NBA.
Highlights
Draft Projection
Potential Second-Round Pick in 2023 NBA Draft.
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