NBA Comparison: Luther Head/Spencer Dinwiddie

Strengths: Baldwin possesses good size and length for a combo guard … Measuring in at 6’3" with a 6’11" wingspan and 195 lbs, he has the length to make up for his lack of height … Attacks the rim with ferocity and is very difficult to contain … Already a strong defender, capable of guarding multiple positions … Uses his length and strength to force opposing players into tough shots … Has the lateral quickness to stick in front of smaller guards … Plays very aggressively on both ends of the court … Has strong numbers shooting from outside (above 40% from three in both seasons at Vanderbilt) … Has a compact release that is easily replicated on each attempt … Shoots well off both hop and one-two gathers … Solid at the free throw line as well … Does a good job of finding the open teammate … Delivers the ball on target and into the shooter’s pocket … Plays with an excellent pace … Knows when to pull up and when to bring it out on fastbreaks … Very efficient player …

Weaknesses: Questions remain about his ability to truly play the PG position … Doesn’t have an impressive handle … Needs to get lower while dribbling … Often tries to use his strength alone to get by his defender … Baldwin is a late-bloomer on the court … Still working on his knowledge and understanding of the game … Will at times dribble himself into trouble … Needs to develop a go-to dribble move … Point guard instincts are lacking, not a natural at distributing and running the team … Isn’t an elite-level athlete … Tight hips limit his flexibility … Has trouble finishing at the rim … Must work on developing his in between game … Has a low release point on his jump shot … Still uncomfortable when forced to his weak hand … Doesn’t draw many fouls despite consistently being in the paint … Can be too nonchalant on defense at times … Too upright in his stance and relies only on his length to make plays … Too inconsistent from game to game … Has underperformed against tougher competition … Can get caught driving into the paint without having a plan … Could stand to improve his shot selection … Shooting numbers are very good, but questions remain about his form and ability to extend range and shoot with the same efficiency with volume …

Overall: Baldwin possesses a body-type and frame that hasn’t been seen often in NBA point guards … If he can continue to develop his game at the rate he’s done since entering college he will soon become a difference maker … Potential to play point guard along with great length has some very excited about his prospects …

Notes: Wasn’t a consensus Top-100 recruit coming out of high school … Played on same high school team as Karl-Anthony Towns … Named to 2014-15 All-SEC Freshman Team … All-time leader in freshman single-season assists in Vanderbilt history (155) …

Brandon Jefferson 2/22/16

January 23, 2013