Isaiah Briscoe passed up entering a weak 2016 draft to make a big run in 2017 with Kentucky. While the team did not achieve its main goal, Briscoe improved a good amount from his freshman to sophomore season. Warning: no GIFs of Briscoe here, so you’ll just have to take my word here.

Name: Isaiah Briscoe

Height/Weight: 6’3/ 222

Wingspan/ standing reach: 6’9’/ 8’3 ½

Hand size: 9.25

Position: PG

College/ country: Kentucky

Tools: Slashing

Stats (per 40): 16 PPG, 5.6 APG, 7.1 RPG, 1.1 SPG, 3.3 TOPG; 47% from the field, 28.8 3P%, 63.5 FT% (Up from 46% last year) and TS% of 52.4%

Pros:

• Excellent at attacking the basket- Briscoe draws fouls at a high rate. He’s also a good finisher at the rim and has the strength to finish with contact.
• Excellent frame with a 6’9 wingspan- this helps his defensive upside tremendously.
• Capable defender- Briscoe has the ability to guard both backcourt slots and wings. His NBA body allows him to match up well with bigger players.

Cons:

• Not a great athlete- Briscoe is not super quick, and does not rise up like his Kentucky counterparts. His limited athleticism will really hurt him in the NBA.
• Subpar shooter- As the stats suggest, Briscoe is not a good shooter. Briscoe has some mechanical flaws, some fixable, in his shot that really hinder his shooting. Should he be able to first fix his free throws, he may have a chance at reviving his jumper.

Overall: Briscoe is going to have an uphill battle in the NBA without great athleticism and poor shooting. However, his ability to draw fouls, penetrate the lane, and collapse defenses will be his forte. At worst, Briscoe brings strong defense when locked in, which every team could use out of a backup. Look for Briscoe to get good looks in summer league and in the preseason for a final roster spot. Briscoe didn’t get a full chance in 2016-17 as a primary lead guard, as he split the backcourt with Malik Monk and De’Aaron Fox.

NBA Comparison: Kendall Marshall / Michael Carter-Williams

Projected draft range: Undrafted