2014 NBA Draft Scouting Report: Xavier Thames



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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2014 NBA Draft Scouting Report: Xavier Thames


Position: Point Guard

Size: 6-3, 195

School: San Diego State, Senior


Strengths:
  • Outside shooting
  • Terrific mid-range jumper
  • Pull-up jumper
  • Step-back jumper
  • Free throw shooting
  • Creating his own shot
  • Use of pump fakes to create space or drive past defenders
  • Utilizes floater in the lane
  • Awesome in pick and roll/pick and pop situations
  • Quick crossover off the bounce
  • Solid defender




  • Weaknesses:
  • A shooting guard in a point guard’s body
  • What position does he guard in the NBA?
  • Not a true distributor
  • Athleticism
  • Explosiveness at the rim


  • Summary: A breakout senior season earned Thames Mountain West Player of the Year honors and put him on the map for NBA teams. He has a deadly mid-range game, but the fact that he is more of a shooting guard in a point guard’s body raises questions about what position he can play at the next level. As a result, Thames will likely be a second-round pick.

    Player Comparison: Jannero Pargo. More of a combo guard than a true guard, Pargo has managed to stick around the NBA as a shooter, but he hasn’t really found his true home. Thames faces a similar challenge. He will need to improve his point guard abilities to make a living in the league.







    RELATED LINKS:


    2014 NBA Mock Draft


    2015 NBA Mock Draft


    2014 NBA Draft Prospect Rankings


    2014 NBA Draft Scouting Reports








    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.
    All other e-mail, including advertising and link proposals, send to: [email protected]




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