NBA Comparison: Maceo Baston

Strengths: High activity athlete with tremendous wingspan … Superior defender, a one man wrecking crew. His combination of length and timing make him a shot blocking force (1.6 per game as Sr) … Has terrific hands and reads passing angles well, notching a theft a game for his collegiate career … Lateral quickness is excellent. Has shown the ability to guard smaller defenders and pressure ball handlers … Has improved his offensive game drastically … Raised his shooting percentage from 44% as a Junior to 52% as a Senior … Has become a smarter offensive player with improved decision making and shot selection … Three point accuracy has augmented his offensive repetoire, shooting 38% his senior season. His face up game has come a long way- he is now a force taking the ball to the hoop … Runs the floor like a gazelle. Very active and bouncy on the glass: averaged 7.5 boards per game last season including 3 offensive boards … The winningest player in NCAA history after his 4 years at Memphis … Free throw shooting, particularly on pressure attempts, is much improved. Still room for improvement on his 72% accuracy rate. The form is there.

Weaknesses: At 220 pounds must add muscle to play the power forward position in the NBA … Often overpowered at the defensive end but made up for it with movement and quick leaping ability … Finishes adequately at the offensive end, but must add strength. At 23, may have difficulty adding bulk to his frame … Doesn’t possess much a post up game, primarily using his quickness and length to score inside the paint. Despite improvements in his face up game, handle is still a concern … He has difficulty maintaining the dribble and can get sloppy at times. A "floater" on the offensive end, with no go to move or stand out characteristic. Fluid athlete, but not explosive.

Adam Ganeles 6/23/09