Nick Richards, Jamaica, SF, Class of 2017, Kentucky, 19.3
Strengths
-Strong physical profile for an NBA center prospect at 6' 11.75 in shoes with a 239-pound frame, 7' 3.75 wingspan and decent 9' 0.5 standing reach.
-Super agile for his size. Can really run when motivated. Able to sit down and slide laterally. Nimble diving to the rim out of pick and roll.
-Good leaper in space. Lob target. Can finish above the rim.
-Tools help him on the glass. Excellent rebounder when his motor is running high. Lifetime 14.3 rebounds per 40 minutes. Quick off the floor.
-Shows potential as a rim protector. Solid timing. Long arms. 3.4 blocks per 40 minutes.
-Flashes of touch on the offensive end. Can make a right-handed jump hook when he's playing under control. Occasional quick rip throughs, spins and left-handed jump hooks. Gets good rotation on his free throw stroke. Has some untapped offensive skill.
-Has the feet to develop into a pick and roll switch defender as his fundamentals and awareness improve. Recovers to blocks at therim if beat. May be able to check some bigger fours in time.
-May be able to develop into the rim running, switch-capable, rim protecting five man that NBA teams covet.
Weaknesses
-Motor runs hot and cold. Gets down on himself easily. Doesn't sprint back on defense after mistakes. Very laid back demeanor in general.
-Feel for the game isn't great. Doesn't see the floor at a high level. Strictly a five offensively. Lifetime 0.7 assists per 40 minutes. Struggles to react to stunt men. Not going to put the ball down from the perimeter. Very sped up in the post. Will take off-balance jump hooks with range early in the clock. Still figuring out who he is as a player.
-Defensive fundamentals have room to improve. Too upright guarding pick and roll. Doesn't give himself enough room to keep the ball in front. Reaches on the perimeter. Not as physical as he could be guarding the post. Bites on fakes.
-Can do a better job finding a body on the defensive glass. Relies more on tools than fundamentals. Can improve his discipline there.
-Overall offensive skill set has room to improve. Hands are a bit shaky. Can he develop into more than just a dunker, offensive rebounder? Touch is very inconsistent. Solid free throw stroke but mid-range jumper is slow and quite mechanical.
-Body language can improve.
Outlook
Richards had a couple very strong days of practice in Portland, flying around on both ends of the floor and showing flashes of touch while measuring really well for an NBA center prospect. Consistency in terms of effort and decision making will be key for Richards. He may have his struggles staying on the floor at Kentucky during low-motor bouts, and he'll have to find a way to defend without fouling while keeping things simple offensively. If Richards is able to buy into his role and put in the work to develop on both sides of the floor, he could have an impact in a Willie Cauley-Stein type role for the Wildcats after a couple years of development.
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