A member of the second team All-SEC, Darius Days has had a consistent, under the radar career at LSU, which is representative of who Days is. As a senior, Days averaged 13.7 PPG, 7.8 RPG, 1 APG, 1.5 SPG, 0.3 BPG, and 1.3 TOPG on shooting splits of 43/35/70. Below is his full scouting report:
Name: Darius Days
Height/Weight: 6’7 / 245
Wingspan/ standing reach: 7’0 ½ / 8’11 ½
Hand size: 9
Position: Forward
Pre-draft team: LSU
Tools: Versatility, rebounding, shooting, motor
Pros:
- Plus rebounder
- Shooting upside; shot has gotten quicker
- Versatile and can play any front-court position
- Outstanding feel for the game
- Strong finisher at the rim
- High motor
- Quick, active hands on defense
Cons:
- Needs to be more consistent as a shooter
- Size may limit ability to guard centers
- May struggle to defend guards on drives
- Lacks blow-by ability as a ball-handler
- Doesn’t have much of a mid range game
- Below the rim finisher as a hybrid big
- Needs to improve ball security and pass accuracy out of double teams
- Efficiency leaves a lot to be desired
Summary:
Darius Days projects to fill a role as a glue piece off the bench, helping to maximize his teammates on both ends. His ability to stretch the floor could help him play small-ball 5, and his versatility on defense to handle wings allows him to hold his own on the defensive end of the floor. While he lacks playmaking, slashing, and mid-range scoring, Days could grow into being an analytical darling as a finisher, shooter, and defender.
As a shooter, Days has a quick, high release that allows him to easily shoot over shot contests. He has made strides to be more consistent from 3 over the years, but still needs to get better at hitting consecutive 3s more often. His ability to stretch the floor will be a major factor in him getting minutes in the NBA.
Defensively, while Days lacks the ability to consistently defend guards, his length should allow him to comfortably handle wings and forwards. With a high motor, active hands, long arms, and good feel for the game, Days should check out as a positive defender, barring foul trouble on being overly aggressive at times. Days also does a good job of forcing turnovers and correctly playing passing lanes. This was an impressive area for him at the Portsmouth Invitational in April, forcing turnovers off of post-entry passes and with active hands on-ball.
Days also thrives around the rim, both as a finisher and a rebounder. Days was a putback savant as an upperclassman at LSU, being able to fight for rebounds and reach over defenders to then use his soft touch at the rim. Also on display at Portsmouth was his finishing in traffic and rebounding ability. Days should be able to score off of pick & rolls as a finisher and shooter.
Overall, Days projects to be a glue-guy that can defend, finish at the rim, and stretch the floor. Look for Days to get looks in undrafted free agency or the very late 2nd round.
Similar to: JaMychal Green
Projected draft range: 50- undrafted
Expected role: Glue guy off the bench that could play 20 MPG.
Unplayable if: Jumper doesn’t translate and if he can’t play center defensively in any capacity.
Exceeds expectations if: Playmaking improves and shooting translates, especially being a corner shooter. Additionally, his defense will be helped by continuing the trend of reducing foul troubles that he has set up year-over-year at LSU.
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