NBA Comparison: Drew Gooden/David Lee

Strengths: Skilled, bouncy post man who plays with a high level of energy and desire … Lefty with stretch four potential with “untapped” scoring ability … Smooth and fluid mechanics on his shooting motion and is showing signs of becoming a solid three point threat … Averaged 15.4 ppg for the Georgia Bulldogs as a freshman, showing steady development in his ability to create scoring opportunities and be an efficient offensive player … His athleticism shows in running the floor and finishing plays on the break … Thrives at crashing the glass and scores a good deal of points as a lob threat on rim runs and cuts to the basket on the baseline … Lefty who shows good touch, with the ability to convert mid range shots, turnaround jumpers and runners … Has worked at extending his range and knocked down 26 three pointers as a freshman on just under 30%, and 74% from FT, a solid sign regarding his future as a shooter and scorer … A very good second jumper and should only get better with improved strength … Gets a lot of baskets on tip back dunks … Shows a good feel for playing in the post with the ability to create some offense for himself with his back to the basket with turnaround jumpers and good footwork … Displayed some ability to get by opponents off the dribble and get to the rim in face up situations … 74.8 Ft%, while not outstanding, is encouraging for a 19 year old power forward and shows his potential as a shooter … Has good hands, to catch the ball and grab rebounds … Solid vision and passing ability … Defensively, he plays very well in space for a 4, jumping passing lanes with speed and anticipation … Finished freshman season on a strong note with two 20 point games (in losses against Oklahoma and Gonzaga) … Has the versatility to play up or down a position with some wing skills along with some small ball 5 potential … Good stats made more impressive facing the SEC, in a season where they produced a record 14 NCAA tourney teams …

Weaknesses: Needs to add strength to his frame in order to fully utilize his potential as a post scorer, defender and rebounder … Knock on him entering college among scouts was that he avoiding contact some and needed to get tougher in the paint … Lack of strength makes him a below average post defender, when opponents are able to back him down in the paint … While the physical profile and added strength are sure to increase and improve in this area, 6.9 rebounds per game point out his current ability to grab boards, which need to improve … Defensive rebounding could stand to improve. Positioning, boxing out and anticipation can improve … Takes a majority of his shots at the rim (56%) and 60% of his baskets at the rim are assisted … Will need to become better at scoring and creating offense facing the basket … Not really big enough or inclined to be a rim protector, though he does show some shot blocking flashes … Outside shooting potential is clearly there, but 29% from three is in need of improvement … Can improve his PnR game and become better at utilizing the pick and roll and pick and pop, granted he was not playing with an elite level point guard at Georgia …

Notes: Native of Destin, FL, … Georgia freshman … Transferred to Montverde Academy for his junior season … Played in the 2022 Underclassman All-American Game … Won Gold at the U17 World Cup in 2022 … Helped lead Montverde Academy to a 33-0 record and a high school national championship in 2024 … Scored 17 points (6-12 FG) and grabbed 10 rebounds in the 2024 Nike Hoop Summit … Scored 12 points and grabbed 8 rebounds in the 2024 Jordan Brand Classic …

Aran Smith 4/1/25

Strengths: 6’10 left-handed power forward … Good length … Well-coordinated with good mobility and fluidity. Runs the floor very well and consistently. Quick for his size … Alert. Moves well off the ball. Has good hands … Willing screener … Good athlete and finishes above the rim well. Quick off the ground and doesn’t take time loading up his jump … Soft touch around the rim and can face-up a bit with shooting range out to the 3PT line. Has some potential as a pick and pop threat moving forward … Efficient scorer and saw a noticeable jump in production his senior year. Averaged 7.7 points per game on 51.1% FG% at the U19 World Cup and 12.3 points per game on a league best 70% FG% over the EYBL Scholastic in 2023-24 … Unselfish and makes the extra pass … Good size and moves his feet well laterally as a versatile defender. Stays in front of his man pretty well when defending on the perimeter. Posted a 3^rd best 2.3 blocks per game at the U19 World Cup in 2023 …

Weaknesses: Strong frame but can continue to add strength. Can play with more physicality … Favors left hand … Doesn’t have much a post-game and isn’t always too heavily involved with the offense, generally scores on rim runs to simply catch and finish or putbacks … Shows development and has the foundation as a 3PT shooter with a quick release/no wasted motion in his shot but can improve consistency. 3PT shooting: 25% 3PT% 1.3 3PT 3PTA NIBC 2022-23, 16.7% 3PT% 1.7 3PTA U19 World Cup 2023, 31.8% 3PT% 2 3PTA EYBL Scholastic 2023-24 … Doesn’t have a bad stroke from the foul line but can improve as a free throw shooter. Shot 69.2% FT% over the NIBC in 2022-23 and 66.7% FT% over the EYBL Scholastic in 2023-24 … Showed improvement his senior year but he’s underwhelmed as a rebounder overall. Rebounding stats: 2.9 RPG U17 World Cup 2022, 2.4 RPG NIBC 2022-23, 6.2 RPG EYBL Scholastic 2023-24 …

Outlook: Georgia freshman … Transferred to Montverde Academy for his junior season … Played in the 2022 Underclassman All-American Game … Won Gold at the U17 World Cup in 2022 … Helped Lead Montverde Academy to a 33-0 record and win Chipotle Nationals in 2024 … Scored 17 points (6-12 FG) and grabbed 10 rebounds in the 2024 Nike Hoop Summit … Scored 12 points and grabbed 8 (3 offensive) rebounds in the 2024 Jordan Brand Classic …

Evan Tomes 8/27/24