A multiple time member of SEC All-Defense and the winner of SEC Defensive Player of the Year as a junior, Yves Pons ended his career at Tennessee on several high notes. As a senior, Pons averaged 8.7 PPG, 5.3 RPG, 0.7 APG, 0.7 SPG, 1.8 BPG, and 1 TOPG on shooting splits of 47/27/79. Below is his full scouting report:
Name: Yves Pons
Height/Weight: 6’7 / 206
Wingspan/ standing reach: 7’1 / 8’8
Hand size: 9 ¼
Position: F
College/ country: Tennessee/France
Tools: Defense, athleticism, finishing
Pros:
- Excellent defender with elite versatility
- High-level recovery ability
- Strong defensive instincts; good timing with great shot blocking ability
- Plus athlete with long strides and a quick first step
- Quality NBA frame with his length and strength
- Good finisher at the rim, usually off cuts
- Good rebounder
- Doesn’t record many turnovers
Cons:
- Jump shooting
- Lacks dribble moves
- Doesn’t make others better offensively
- Possibly too undersized to play his true NBA role/position
- Will have to get even stronger, especially in the lower body, to play center
Overall:
Yves Pons is a unique defensive-minded forward that can play all positions in the front-court, and guard nearly any player on the floor at any given time. While Pons checks almost all defensive boxes, including length, instincts, athleticism, and elite recovery ability, he lacks offense outside of finishing others’ plays. He is good on putbacks due to his athleticism, and he can finish lobs and dump-offs under the rim, but other than those two areas, Pons is severely limited offensively. To be best maximized as a player, Pons needs to be in lineups surrounded by shooting, or at least a stretch-big to neutralize Pons’ lack of shooting. Pons could be an incredibly valuable defensive prospect for a winning team if utilized correctly.
Similar to: Rondae Hollis-Jefferson, JaKarr Sampson
Projected draft range: 40-undrafted
Expected role: Defensive specialist with versatility
Unplayable if: Lack of offensive game & overall jump shot limit his defensive impact.
Exceeds expectations if: Pons tried shooting jumpers, usually out of the triple threat, at Tennessee; if that skill can develop, he becomes a very clear-cut rotation player as an elite defender and passable shooter at the 5.
