Taurean Prince, Baylor
Age: 21 years old Size: 6’8, 220 pounds
Last Season’s Stats: 15.7 points; 6.0 rebounds; 2.3 assists
Percentages: 43.2% from the field; 36.1% from three-point; 77.4% from the free throw line
Taurean Prince would be the third option for a team looking for a small forward in this year’s NBA Draft. The former Baylor Bear is still only 21 and brings a high defensive ceiling and a good amount of explosion. His defensive instincts are off the chart and he uses his strong frame, coupled with his quick feet, to contain positions 1-3 on the perimeter. Prince is your prototypical “3-and-D” type player who brings a high basketball IQ, the ability to thrive in transition with his athleticism, and his ability to convert at the rim. His game resembles that of Thabo Sefolosha or, if he develops perfectly, DeMarre Carroll.
While Prince is a jack-of-all-trades on the offensive end, he is quite limited due to the fact that his ball handling skills leave a lot to be desired. He has the first step and explosion off of one foot to be a terror in the pick-and-roll but he struggles to use that quickness and explosion effectively with the ball in his hands. Due to his deficiencies with the ball, he does not create space well for himself. These issues have led to Prince forcing the issue to the tune of a 15.8 percent turnover rate. If he can clean up his ball handling he has the chance to change his trajectory from a “3-and-D” player to a potential third option.
Prince may have a brighter future in the NBA than a lot think. He has the vision, spot-up shooting, and defensive intensity to weave himself into the fabric of a team as a high-IQ, high-energy, versatile wing. He is slated to go around the mid-to-late teens on draft day and should be available at 15 for the Nuggets to decide on.
