NBA Draft Scouting Report: Kansas’ Gradey Dick
Gradey Dick
Wing | Kansas
Height: 6’7” | Weight: 195 lbs
2023 Draft Age: 19.58
Kevin Jairaj-USA TODAY Sports
Prospect Profile
When thinking about all of the attributes that make an elite shooter, Dick checks all of the boxes. For starters, he’s got a smooth shot and quick release that results in him converting on a high percentage of his triples. Dick is also great at moving without the ball, with a great understanding of how to get himself open for a shot. While he was projected to be a first rounder entering his freshman season, he's not firmly a lottery talent.
With how good of a shooter the 6-foot-7 forward is, he really opens up the paint for teammates with how much gravity he demands. Defenders must stick to him and not help over on drives unless they want to give up a high percentage shot from deep.
Not only can Dick knock down triples in spot-up situations, but he’s also effective on the move. Whether it’s coming off of a screen for a quick catch-and-shoot or off the bounce, the Kansas prospect can fade either direction away from his defender to create space.
While Dick is perhaps the best shooter in this class, he proved he's a well-rounded scorer as a freshman. At the NBA level, he’ll need to continue to improve at all three levels and not default to being one dimensional on that end of the floor as just a perimeter shooter.
When driving the ball, Dick does lack the explosiveness and creative moves to get by good defenders. He’s more of a straight line driver that leverages his physicality and size to get to the rim. However, he is good at using fakes and jabs to get defenders to over-commit in order to get to his spots.
Additionally, he’ll need to become a better facilitator. He’s a good ball mover within the flow of the offense, but we haven’t necessarily seen him generate many shots for his teammates. This has resulted in low assist numbers, which is an area he could improve at.
Dick is a smart team defender that understands schemes and rotations. He’s good at taking charges and often finds himself in the right spot on the defensive end. He’s not an elite individual defender at the point of attack, but he does have good size and bounce which should be somewhat helpful as he proves himself at the NBA level.
Playing with a ton of energy, Dick is a natural leader and motivator on floor. He truly competes to win games and has the best interest of his team in mind.
Dick led one of the best high school teams in the country as a senior at Sunrise Christian Academy. This led him to winning Gatorade Boys Basketball Player of the Year. Then, went to play for one of the most prestigious college programs in the country and proved he has what it takes to be a really impactful player in the NBA.
Highlights
Draft Projection
Lottery Pick in 2023 NBA Draft.
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