Scouting Report: Terry Rozier, PG, Louisville
Tap here to get an in-depth look at the top prospects in this year's draft class leading up to the NBA draft, which takes place on June 25 in Brooklyn.
Player comparisons at draft time are always a precarious proposition. No two players are exactly alike, and shoehorning a prospect into an existing prospect's profile risks over- or under-valuing them in their own right.
That happened to a degree with Terry Rozier and would-be NBA comp Kyle Lowry this season. Rozier began the year off the first-round radar, made an early-season jump into the top 20, and has ultimately settled back on the first-round bubble. His draft stock mirrored the season of Lowry, which could entirely be coincidence considering both players were great before trailing off late. The Lowry comparison is a high-percentile outcome for Rozier, who projects as more of a microwave man off the bench.
Relevant Background
| Position | DraftExpress Rank | ESPN Rank | Height w/ Shoes | Weight |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| PG | 50 | 27 | 6' 2.25" | 190 |
| Wingspan | Standing Reach | Max Vertical (in.) | Hand Length (in.) | Body Fat % |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 6' 8.25" | 8' 2.5" | 38.0 | 8.25 | 5.6% |
| NCAA Stats | PPG | RPG | APG | FG% | 3FG% |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2014-15 | 17.1 | 5.6 | 3.0 | 41.1% | 30.6% |
| 2013-14 | 7.0 | 3.1 | 1.8 | 40.1% | 37.1% |
Scouting Report
Strengths: Rozier's full repertoire was on display during the NCAA tournament's opening weekend, with a 25-5-7 outing highlighting his mix of scoring, playmaking, and rebounding for a point guard. Despite being somewhat small in basic measurements, Rozier's wingspan and strength are such that he can probably handle time at both guard positions in the NBA. They also mean he's likely to be a quality defender, as he was at the college level. He's got a very nice off-the-dribble game and a quick pull-up. Those tools complement his ability to carve into the lane and finish strong, making him a good bet to become a capable reserve scorer.
Weaknesses: If Rozier could knock down a triple, he'd probably be a lot higher on draft boards. Without that element that most starting guards possess, it's tough to figure Rozier as a starter, at least not a high-end one. He needs to score efficiently and defend well without that outside shot because his decision making can be suspect, and he doesn't have the vision or precision of a full-time point guard.
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What to Expect on Draft Day
Rozier's standing as a potential top-20 pick may now be behind him, even if the 5-on-5 portion of the draft combine helped him affirm the intangibles teams like about him. The Toronto Raptors could theoretically tap him as a Lou Williams replacement at No. 20, which appears to be the very high end of his range. It's also entirely possible teams sell themselves on more steady point guards like Delon Wright and Jerian Grant or a longer-term play like George Lucas de Paula, pushing Rozier into the second round.