NBA Draft Scouting Report: UNC Asheville's Drew Pember
Drew Pember
Forward | UNC Asheville
Height: 6'11” | Weight: 215 lbs
2024 Draft Age: 24.03
Kelley L Cox-USA TODAY Sports
Prospect Profile
Originally from Knoxville, Pember started his college career close to home with the Tennessee Volunteers, but ended up transferring to UNC Asheville after two seasons in the SEC with a very limited role. This ultimately was a great move for him, as it allowed him to play significant minutes in the Big South and evolve into the player he is today. He’s an older prospect who will have turned 24 years old just before the 2024 NBA Draft, but his talent and production are well worth a look in the second round. At 6-foot-11, he leverages his length to be effective on both ends of the floor as a true two-way talent. He also plays a very modern style, which has a clear path to translating at the next level.
On both ends of the floor, what really sticks out is Pember's fluidity for his size. Not only does he move well in space on the defensive end and has the ability to step out and guard frontcourt players away from the basket, but this is also very impressive on the offensive end as he navigates opposing defenses with the ball in his hands. Pember can score off the catch on the perimeter or in the post, but he's also capable of putting the ball on the deck and creating for himself.
On the offensive end, Pember is a reliable floor spacer for his size, knocking down triples at a very reliable rate — especially for his size. This is also on significant volume, as he's taken a very high number of attempts from deep this season specifically. He's also a phenomenal free throw shooter, which speaks to his shooting mechanics, focus and ability to translate the jumper at the NBA level.
Pember's scoring production is extremely impressive, notching better than 20 points per game in each of the last two seasons. The fifth-year college player is also an improved passer for a big, notching an incredibly high assist rate this season which is ridiculous at 6-foot-11.
Pember has been named the conference's top defensive player twice in his career and just last season was the Big South's best player. Pember has blocked 2.5 shots per game over the past three seasons with UNC Asheville and is a legitimate rim protector.
It's been a three-year career with the Bulldogs to this point, where the 6-foot-11 forward has earned high honors. Not only did Pember win Big South Player of the Year last season, but he's also won the Big South Defensive Player of the Year award twice during his career. While he doesn't play at one of the high major schools that gets significant national attention, he's absolutely dominating his competition.
Pember comes from an athletic family, with a mother who played volleyball and a father who played basketball at Carson-Newman University.
Highlights
Draft Projection
Potential Second-Round Pick in 2024 NBA Draft.
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