A member of the All-SEC team as a junior, Iverson Molinar has improved every year at Mississippi State. As a junior, Molinar averaged 17.5 PPG, 3 RPG, 3.6 APG, 1.2 SPG, 0.4 BPG, and 2.4 TOPG on shooting splits of 45/25/87. Below is his full scouting report:
Name: Iverson Molinar
Height/Weight: 6’3/183
Wingspan/ standing reach: 6’8/8’5
Hand size: 9.5
Position: Combo guard
College/ country: Mississippi State (Panama)
Tools: 3 level scoring, shot creation
Pros:
- High motor
- Great body control on both ends of the floor
- Long defensive range due to length and speed
- Good touch on his floater
- Good rebounder for a guard
- Outstanding mid range shooter
- Strong shooter using screens
- Strong transition passer
- Good passer off of screens; finds cutters well
- Good passer on the move
- Comfortable with both hands as a slasher
- Quick explosion into drives
- Moves well off ball
Cons:
- Needs to smoothen out jump shot; light hitch in release
- Must reduce turnovers
- Can get beat by quick first steps on defense; slightly late reaction time
- Needs to improve moving jumper
- Old for his class- will be 23 by end of the year
- Should look to add more muscle
Summary:
Iverson Molinar is a crafty guard that can get to the rim at a high level, while also setting teammates up for easy shots and defending both guard positions. As a combo guard, the elephant in the room for Molinar lies around his jump shot. After two seasons of 3P% at 37% and 44% (42% through his first 136 attempts), Molinar’s junior season 3P% dipped to 25% on 107 attempts. However, there is reason for hope: Iverson Molinar’s FT%, generally a strong indicator of shooting upside, was an elite 87% from the line this season, and for his 3 year college career, he shot 83% on free throws, which is also nearly elite. Additionally, runners and floaters can be good indicators of touch, and he was the #1 runner/floater scorer in the NCAA as a junior.
If Molinar can improve his light hitch in his jumper and make his shooting release overall more consistent, he should be able to float near league average from 3, which keeps him safely in the league. His ability to move well off-ball sets him up for good looks as a shooter, as he can utilize off-ball screens to create open 3 point shots. He also is strong in scoring behind pick & rolls, both as a shooter and slasher.
Pick & roll offense will be Molinar’s best offensive trait in the NBA. Molinar is able to get to the rim to finish over defenders, hit a floater, or draw fouls, plus a strong ability to find cutters and shooters off of screens. Despite an increased usage rate every year at Mississippi State, his turnover percentage declined while his assist percentage improved in his time at Mississippi State. Molinar can be trusted to not make many mistakes with the ball in his hands, while finding teammates good opportunities.
Defensively, Molinar can get burned by quick first steps due to a late reaction speed at times, which may limit his defense, especially against some of the quicker NBA guards that start their drives high on the floor. His body control & recovery ability combined with his quickness and length help him stay in front of his man on his drive, but as he improves his technique defensively, while also adding strength, will help him unlock his full defensive potential.
Similar to: Immanuel Quickley, Jarrett Jack, early career Dejounte Murray
Projected draft range: 35-undrafted
Expected role: Backup combo guard that offers 2 point scoring, ball movement, and defense.
Unplayable if: 3 point shooting and lack of vertical athleticism at the rim hold back his offense.
Exceeds expectations if: Free throw percentage is the true indicator of his jump shooting success, and his defense translates to the NBA.
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