2010 NBA Draft Scouting Report: Jarvis Varnado

Written by Paul Banks of the Washington Times, and David Kay of the The Sports Bank.
Send Paul an e-mail here: paulb05 AT hotmail DOT com.
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2010 NBA Draft Scouting Report: Jarvis Varnado


Position: Power Forward

Size: 6-9, 230

School: Mississippi State, Senior


Strengths:
  • The premier shot-blocker in college basketball
  • Great timing on his blocked-shot attempts
  • Explosive leaping ability with an outstanding second jump
  • Ridiculous wingspan adds to shot blocking skills and rebounding
  • Runs the floor well
  • Good quickness on his first move on the block
  • Establishing position in the post
  • Knows his limits on the offensive end



    Weaknesses:
  • Perimeter shooting
  • Low-post game is still a work in progress
  • Not very physical due to his thin frame
  • Too often a black hole inside when he gets the ball
  • Sometimes mopes around the court, needs to maintain a high energy

    Summary: Varnado chose to return to Mississippi State for his senior season so he could work on his raw offensive talent. He will likely become the top shot-blocker in college basketball history and NBA teams will take notice. Expect him to be drafted somewhere in the 20s by a team needed an energetic shot-blocking threat off the bench.

    Player Comparison: Chris Andersen. Minus the tattoos, headband, previous drug issues and sweet nickname, Varnado figures to have a similar impact to Andersen on the court. Andersen is an energy guy off the bench who is known as a great shot-blocker which is what Varnado excels at at the college level. Both players are limited around the basket on the offensive end. But just like the Birdman, Varnado will find a home in the NBA because of his shot-blocking abilities; not his offensive game.



    RELATED LINKS:


    2010 NBA Mock Draft


    2010 NBA Draft Prospect Rankings


    2010 NBA Draft Scouting Reports








    Written by Paul Banks of NBC Chicago and the Washington Times, and David Kay of the The Sports Bank.
    Send Paul an e-mail here: paulb05 AT hotmail DOT com.
    All other e-mail, including advertising and link proposals, send to: [email protected]




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