NBA Comparison: Darius Miller

Strengths: At 6’7”, has the height and length NBA teams crave at the wing … His lefty jumpshot is smooth and when he sets himself, can knock down the outside shot. Can get hot from the outside … Excels as a catch and shoot threat and generally does a good job of sliding into open spots to make himself available to passers … Keeps good balance when spotting up, getting his feet set as the ball arrives and is ready to shoot the ball on the catch … Smooth athlete that can elevate quickly when going to the rim … Will finish transition opportunities with dunks when given the opportunity … An underrated cutter without the ball, but he doesn’t utilize this skill as much as he should … Can hit pull up jumpers from the mid range when he gets run off the three point line (primarily when going to his left – when he goes right he generally uses a spin move to get back to his left and attacks the paint from there). Has active hands on defense and does a good job of using his length to impact passing lanes … Has shown some ability to jump passing lanes and create transition opportunities …

Weaknesses: Didn’t produce at the NCAA level, averaging 8.8 points, 3.4 rebounds, and less than an assist per game … Played fewer than 20 minutes in 14 of his 32 games … Sporadic and streaky three point shooter … Lacks ability to create his own shot or generate opportunities for others … No real ball handling ability … Despite his length, did not rebound the ball on a consistent basis, although he did show flashes of the ability in spurts … Very awkward when handling the ball with his right hand – loose handle and struggles to make any sort of move going right … Struggles to create any sort of separation from even average defenders … Physical defenders can knock him off his spot and make him uncomfortable … Loses the ball often in transition – can be bothered by active hands … Floats on the perimeter too much. Has poor anticipation which makes it difficult to pass his teammates open – makes plays only as he sees them unfold, leading to him missing opportunities … Not a contested shot maker – most of his makes came on open looks from the perimeter. Needs to become a better screener to take advantage of pick and pop opportunities …

Outlook:  Early in his time at Kentucky he looked to attack the offensive glass looking for aggressive put back dunks … It didn’t always work, but it showed an aggressive mindset … However, it didn’t take long for him to lose that aggressive streak, abandon that physicality, and become somebody that just stands around the perimeter hoping the ball comes to him … He showed a distinct lack of fight and desire, often looking lost on the court … He doesn’t seem to understand what he is as a player … Is he a spot up shooter? If so, he needs to become a much more reliable shooter, become better making contested shots, and become a better defensive player … Is he a combo forward? If so, he needs to become a much tougher, much more aggressive rebounder … He still has the physical tools to be a really good player, but lacks the production, skills, and intangibles that would make him a first round pick … Perhaps a simplified and straightforward role will help him to build a skill set and become a rotation player at the next level, but currently he has a lot of development ahead of him … Most of his baskets came while wide open at Kentucky – it will be interesting to see what he does against NBA caliber defenses …

Notes: Measured 6′ 6.00” barefoot, 8′ 6.50” standing reach, 209.4 lbs, 6′ 10.00” wingspan, 28 standing vert, 32.5 max vert at the 2024 NBA Draft Combine …

Eric Yearian 6/25/24

Strengths: 6’8 athletic left-handed wing … Good size and length for position … High-level and fluid athlete, display athleticism well in the open floor. Good body control and adjusts well to the defense in the air to finish. Quick step with the ball and covers a lot of ground on his drives … Good looking release and arc on shot with range out to the 3PT line. Shoots best off the catch, can catch rhythm pulling up off one dribble. Good shot selection and doesn’t jack up quick looks … Doesn’t have to always have the ball in his hands. Has shown improvement playing off the ball and good timing on cuts. Improved midrange scoring with a comfortable pull-up … Averaged 16.4 points per game on 48.8% FG% over the Nike EYBL in 2022 … Good tools, commitment, and competitiveness on the defensive end. Usually defended the opposing team’s best player on the Nike EYBL. Fairly versatile defender, as he’s shown success defending bigger players and in the post. Rotates when necessary. Consistently sits, moves feet well, and has active hands when defending on the ball. Anticipates and jumps passes to create transition offensive opportunities. Recorded a 5^th best 2.1 steals per game over the Nike EYBL in 2022 … Not necessarily a standout rebounder and although inconsistent, with a few games in the double digits and a few games where he grabbed less than 5, overall, he’s a solid rebounder for position. Averaged 6.5 rebounds per game over the Nike EYBL in 2022 … Although he doesn’t have the ball in his hands at an incredibly high rate, he’s low on turning the ball over. Turnover stats: 0.6 TOPG NIKE EYBL 2021, 1.7 TOPG Nike EYBL 2022, 0.8 TOPG NBPA Top 100 2022 …

Weaknesses: Has room to get stronger in both upper and lower body … Can improve 3PT consistency, sometimes he finds the bottom of the net while other times he’s a few inches short of the rim. 3PT shooting: 30.4% 3PT% 2.9 3PTA Nike EYBL in 2021, 31.4% 3PT% 4.1 3PT Nike EYBL 2022, 9.1% 3PT% 2.2 3PTA NBPA Top 100 2022 … Can improve free throw shooting: 66.7% FT% Nike EYBL 2021, 61.8% FT% Nike EYBL 2022, 66.7% FT% NBPA Top 100 2022 … Needs to expand his midrange game, while he’s comfortable shooting 3s and finishing at the rim, he can operate more in the middle outside his one-dribble pull-up … Willing to work in the post but can improve jump hook and fadeaway … Lacks diverse scoring arsenal in general and has much room to expand … Must improve right hand and avoids using it … Limited as a ball-handler as he doesn’t break down the defense with his dribble or show much creativity with the ball, driving opportunities are generally limited to attacking straight-line closeouts. His lack of right hand limits his ability to change direction with the ball. Makes some nice passes out of drives but lacks as a playmaker. Averaged 0.6 assists to 0.6 turnover per game over the Nike EYBL in 2021 and 1.4 assists to 1.7 turnovers per game in 2022 … Older for his class, turned 19 December of his senior year of high school …

Outlook: Kentucky freshman … Scored 11 points (5-9 FG) and grabbed 5 rebounds in the 2023 McDonald’s All-American Game … Scored 10 points and grabbed 5 rebounds in the 2023 Nike Hoop Summit … MVP of the 2023 Iverson Classic with 20 points … Named to the Naismith High School Boys All-American 1^st Team … 2023 Pennsylvania Mr. Basketball … Recorded 20 points (9-13 FG), 7 rebounds, and 3 steals in the 2022 UA Next Elite 24 …

Evan Tomes 8/2/23

Strengths: 6’7 athletic left-handed forward … Good size and length for a wing … High-level and fluid athlete, display athleticism well in the open floor. Good body control and adjusts well to the defense in the air to finish. Quick step with the ball and covers a lot of ground on his drives … Good looking release and arc on shot with range out to the 3PT line. Shoots best off the catch, can catch rhythm pulling up off one dribble … Doesn’t have to always have the ball in his hands. Although can be content spacing the floor, he does show some positivity moving without the ball and cutting at the right time … Averaged 16.4 points per game on 48.8% FG% over the Nike EYBL in 2022 … Good tools, commitment, and competitiveness on the defensive end end. Fairly versatile defender, as he’s shown success defending bigger players and in the post. Consistently sits, moves feet well, and has active hands when defending on the ball. Anticipates and jumps passes to create transition offensive opportunities. Recorded a 5^th best 2.1 steals per game over the Nike EYBL in 2022 … Not necessarily a standout rebounder and although inconsistent, with a few games in the double digits and a few games where he grabbed less than 5, overall, he’s a solid rebounder for position. Averaged 6.5 rebounds per game over the Nike EYBL in 2022 … Although he’s doesn’t have the ball in his hands at an incredibly high rate, he’s low on turning the ball over. Turnover stats: 0.6 TOPG NIKE EYBL 2021, 1.7 TOPG Nike EYBL 2022, 0.8 TOPG NBPA Top 100 2022 …

Weaknesses: Has room to get stronger in both upper and lower body … Can be too content spacing the floor and watching the action … Can improve 3PT consistency, sometimes he finds the bottom of the net while other times he’s a few inches short of the rim. 3PT shooting: 30.4% 3PT% 2.9 3PTA Nike EYBL in 2021, 31.4% 3PT% 4.1 3PT Nike EYBL 2022, 9.1% 3PT% 2.2 3PTA NBPA Top 100 2022 … Can improve free throw shooting: 66.7% FT% Nike EYBL 2021, 61.8% FT% Nike EYBL 2022, 66.7% FT% NBPA Top 100 2022 … Needs to expand his midrange game, tends to shoot 3’s or finish at the rim, rarely operating in the middle … Willing to work in the post but can improve jump hook and fadeaway … Can improve finishing at the rim when he doesn’t dunk … Lacks diverse scoring arsenal in general and has much room to expand. Doesn’t have much half-court offense outside of spacing the floor for a 3PT opportunity or cut to catch and finish/power-dribble and finish … Must improve right hand and avoids using it … Limited as a ball-handler as he doesn’t break down the defense with his dribble or show much creativity with the ball, driving opportunities are generally limited to attacking straight-line closeouts. His lack of right hand limits his ability to change direction with the ball. Makes some nice passes out of drives but lacks as a playmaker. Averaged 0.6 assists to 0.6 turnover per game over the Nike EYBL in 2021 and 1.4 assists to 1.7 turnovers per game in 2022 … Older for his class, turns 19 December of his senior year of high school …

Outlook: Kentucky commit … Recorded 20 points (9-13 FG), 7 rebounds, and 3 steals in the 2022 UA Next Elite 24 …

Evan Tomes 9/3/22