One of the American Athletic Conference’s best shooters, Lester Quinones had back to back successful seasons at Memphis following his All-Freshman honors in 2019. As a junior, Quinones averaged 10 PPG, 3.5 RPG, 1.3 APG, 1.2 SPG, and 1.4 TOPG on shooting splits of 45/39/75. Below is his full scouting report:
Name: Lester Quinones
Height/Weight: 6’5/205
Wingspan/ standing reach: N/A
Hand size: N/A
Position: Wing
Pre-Draft team: Memphis
Tools: 3&D
Pros:
- Excellent defender that is tough to shake
- Projectable shooter
- Quick release on his jumper with high release
- Quick footwork to get square to the basket
- Good strength allows him to stay in front of slashers
- Moves well off-ball
- Realistic room for growth for creating off the dribble
- Good shooting ability when off-balance
- Unlikely to take a bad risk as a passer
- Uses his jumper to open up the extra pass to the open shooter
Cons:
- Below the rim finisher
- Mediocre athlete
- Must get more consistent in holding follow-through + guide hand on follow-through
- Can play out of control at times as a creator
- Must get more consistent scoring off the dribble
- Mediocre playmaker
Summary:
Lester Quinones is a shooter that can get into his shot motion at an elite speed, with the ability to defend guards and wings. The team that picks him up will try to develop his handle to get him to play more composed and be a limited creator at times to score off the dribble. 3&D with some ball-skills is easy to scale up in the NBA, so look for Quinones to be a sleeper candidate to make an NBA roster as a rookie undrafted free agent.
Similar to: Dillon Brooks, Jordan Nwora
Projected draft range: 45-undrafted
Expected role: 3&D wing with growth potential attacking closeouts off of pump fakes.
Unplayable if: Jump shot success doesn’t translate, or if his defense only thrived in the NCAA and does not scale up.
Exceeds expectations if: Simple explanation, but if his 3&D success translates, at ~6’5 with long arms, he can find a home as a 3&D wing in the NBA.
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