NBA Comparison: Mike Bibby

Strengths: Napier is a gamer.  He has a knack for making big plays and raising his game against great opponents…This season, he’s become more of a distributor and has been less concerned with scoring.  His assist total has raised from 4.6 per game to 5.9… Excellent on-ball defender with great hands (2.1 SPG) … Has become a much more efficient scorer this year.  His field goal percentage has risen from 44% to 50% and, more dramatically, his three-point percentage has risen from 40% to 57% … An excellent rebounding guard, with 7 RPG thus far this season … Great at "shifting gears" with the ball in his hands.  He can blow by the average college defender with ease … Stat sheet stuffer.  Has become a legitimate triple-double threat this year with his increased rebound and assist totals … Deadly step-back jumper … Fearless. Confident. Plays with a swagger, truly believes in himself … Very good shooter coming off screens … Great finisher in transition … Solid free throw shooter (78% this season) …

Weaknesses: Can be a bit of a ball-dominator at times.  Does a lot of dribbling … Does not have great athleticism or length (6’1" with a 6’3" wingspan) … This will limit his defensive ability at the next level … Streaky offensive player, although his shot has become much more consistent thus far in his senior season … Prone to forcing questionable shots, though he improved as a senior … For a player who drives to the hoop as often as he does, Napier doesn’t get to the free throw stripe that often. Only averaging 4.6 attempts per game this season … Assistant coaches at UConn questioned his maturity and leadership (off the record with scouts) early in his college career, though he has matured since … Will turn 23 a few weeks after the draft, older for a senior …

Notes: Was a key contributor coming off the bench to the UConn National Championship team led by Kemba Walker … Named 2013 All-Big East…UConn co-captain…Measured 6’1 (in shoes) 182 lbs, with a 6’2 wingspan at the 2011 Deron Williams Skills Academy … Measured 6’1.5 (in shoes) 185 lbs, with a 6’4 wingspan at the 2013 Nike Guard Skills Academy

Overall: Napier is a great offensive point guard but he sometimes tries to do too much … He generally steps up and elevates his game in the big moments for UConn, but his limited size and athleticism is something that will hurt his draft stock regardless of what he does on the court … He’ll get looks in the NBA based off what he’s done at the college level and once he’s there, he could do really well as a backup point guard or even a starter, or he could be out of the league within a few years…

Jacob Stallard 12/16/13