Scouting Report: Andrew Wiggins, SG/SF, Kansas
Where you land on Kansas freshman Andrew Wiggins likely says something about how you value defense in a prospect. He's unquestionably a top talent but what he showed in Bill Self's offense left some wanting, and could result in the former consensus No. 1 sliding as far as No. 3 on draft night. At the top of the draft, he's a nice middle ground between the ready-to-contribute Jabari Parker and the long-term upside of Joel Embiid, and Wiggins' ultimate potential is second only to Embiid.
Background
| Position | DX Rank | ESPN Rank | Height w Shoes | Weight (lbs.) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| SG/SF | 1 | 1 | 6' 8.75" | n/a |
| Wing | Vert (in.) | Standing Reach | Hand Length (in.) | Agility (sec.) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 7' | 44 | 8' 11" | n/a | n/a |
| NCAA Stats | PPG | RPG | APG | FG% | 3FG% |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2013-14 | 17.1 | 5.9 | 1.5 | 44.8% | 34.1% |
Scouting Report
Strengths: Wiggins was the No. 1 prospect entering the season for a good reason; not only is he one of the very best athletes in the draft, he's already a terrific defender and profiles as a versatile player on both ends of the floor. The athleticism and defense are such that even his downside is immense, but he can also score in a variety of ways, and his jumper has reportedly shown improvements in workout.
Weaknesses: The main criticism of Wiggins this season was that he was passive too often, and that he may never be an elite scoring option. As it is, Wiggins does need some work on his handle and his distributing skills, things he has reportedly made strides on already this offseason, and teams will want to see that he can develop the intangible "edge" that many superstars possess.
Highlight Reel
What to Expect on Draft Day
Wiggins isn't getting past the Sixers at No. 3, but there's a strong case to be made that the Cavaliers should go with a Canadian at No. 1 for the second consecutive season. The Cavs have been scared off the Embiid chase due to his latest injury and reportedly remain torn between Wiggins and Parker with the top pick. It's a fairly safe bet that he'll be one of the handful of best players from this draft in the long-run and a contributor, at least on defense, from the hop. The hype may have gone overboard at times, but the talent is real.