After transferring from LSU after a freshman, Brandon Rachal thrived at Tulsa, earning All-AAC honors in both of his seasons at Tulsa. As a redshirt junior, Rachal averaged 15 PPG, 7.2 RPG, 2.2 APG, 1.2 SPG, 0.8 BPG, and 2.5 TOPG on shooting splits of 44/31/73. Below is his full scouting report:
Name: Brandon Rachal
Height/Weight: 6’6 / 220
Wingspan/ standing reach: N/A
Hand size: N/A
Position: SG
Pre-draft team: Tulsa
Tools: Slashing, defense, playmaking
Pros:
- Gets to the line at a high rate
- Good vision
- High defensive upside
- Strong defensive instincts
- Good rebounder
- Advanced handle
- Good finisher at the rim
Cons:
- Needs to speed up jump shot/ improve shooting base
- Unreliable shooter
- Averaged more turnovers than assists
- Easily beatable by taking away his drive
Overall:
Brandon Rachal is a defensive-minded wing with the ability to play bigger than his size and to create for others. The main improvement Rachal needs to make in order to stick in the NBA is to improve as a shooter. Teams can afford to sag off of him and go under him in pick & roll situations, which could severely limit his other offensive strengths. As a ball-handler, Rachal forces his way to the rim, and finishes at the rim well. He also can be a playmaker, finding both cutters and spot-up shooters out pick & rolls as well as drive & kick plays. He does need to get better at minimizing turnovers, but his passing and overall playmaking are impressive for a wing. Defensively, Rachal can guard point guards and wings at a high level, due to length, athleticism, strong instincts, and a high motor. Rachal’s defense should translate cleany, and if he can find a counter to teams shutting down his drive, he will be able to earn a two-way contract and be a fringe rotation player in the same way Wes Iwundu was in Orlando.
NBA Comparison: Wes Iwundu
Projected draft range: Undrafted
Expected Role: Two-way backup wing that can be trusted as a passer when the primary ball-handler is smothered
Unplayable if: Jump shooting never progresses, and his turnovers limit his playmaking effectiveness. His game this season at Wichita State exemplifies this worst case scenario, when WSU forced him to be a shooter, and he went 2-15 from the field.
Exceeds expectations if: Jump shooting develops into 30+% and his defense & playmaking translate
Shot chart:
