After a relatively unknown freshman season, Devin Vassell quickly broke out as one of the top defenders in the country in his sophomore campaign. For the season, Vassell averaged 12.7 PPG, 5 RPG, 1.6 APG, 1.4 SPG, 1 BPG, and 0.8 TOPG in 29 MPG on shooting splits of 49/42/74. Below is his full scouting report:
Name: Devin Vassell
Height/Weight: 6’6/ 180
Wingspan/ standing reach: N/A
Hand size: N/A
Position: Wing
College: Florida State
Tools: Defense, frame, IQ
Pros:
- High defensive upside
- Good vision
- Good jump shooter off the dribble
- Excellent instincts
- Versatile defensively and reads plays before they happen
- Uses his high motor to help crash the glass
- Good touch on his floater & runner
Cons:
- Needs to speed up jump shot & refine jumper- shoots from behind his head
- Needs to improve standstill jump shot
- Can often struggle to create separation on drives
- Must tighten handle
Overall:
Devin Vassell is a generational defender, due to his athleticism, frame, basketball intelligence, and ability to stay with his man in isolation. While he needs to add strength and weight, Vassell does a phenomenal job of maximizing his strengths and minimizing his weaknesses. From day one, Vassell will be a positive defender, and any offense produced will simply be a bonus. Vassell’s defense has virtually no holes in terms of team defense, and the lone knock on his defensive impact is that he is skinny and could be bullied by stronger slashers.
Offensively, Vassell is an intriguing prospect being a smart passer, high-level cutter, and strong shooter off the dribble. He needs to improve the speed of his jump shot, as well as overall form from a stand-still. However, his form and mechanics off the dribble as a shooter are more sound and fluid than his spot up form. Another area where he needs to improve is in his self-creation and slashing. As he continues to improve his ball-handling, Vassell should be able to expand his offensive game and maximize his shooting off the dribble.
NBA Comparison: Floor: Matisse Thybulle/ Mikal Bridges; ceiling: Shane Battier
Projected draft range: 4-12
Best fits/ fit with Mavs:
- Chicago Bulls
- Golden State Warriors
- Atlanta Hawks
- San Antonio Spurs
- Dallas Mavericks
While it will be difficult for Dallas to move up to acquire Devin Vassell, the Mavs are arguably the team that could most benefit from Devin Vassell in this draft. Vassell’s defensive abilities fit perfectly with what Dallas needs, and his cerebral basketball mind would mesh with Rick Carlisle. Offensively, if Vassell could work with God ShamGod on ball-handling, the upside could be fully unlocked as a key two-way role player on a title-contending team.
Shot chart:
