Scouting Report: Justise Winslow

Justise Winslow is a small forward for the University of Duke. Winslow is 6’6 with a wingspan of 6’10. For the year, Winslow is averaging 29.0 minutes per game, 12.7 points per game, 6.4 rebounds per game, 2.1 assists per game, 1.3 steals per game, while shooting 49.0% from the field, and 41.7% from three.

Pros:

• High motor
• Defensive stalwart
• Can guard 1’s, 2’s, 3’s, or 4’s
• Good rebounder
• Good passer
• Ability to initiate the offense
• Good ball handling skills
• Physical player
• Draws contact
• Team first player
• Good potential for pick-and-roll man

Cons:

• Poor shooting release
• Can be careless with the ball at times
• Lacks attentiveness at times
• Needs to work on touch around the rim

Overall:

Winslow has gained a lot of attention the past few weeks and rightly so. Winslow is willing to sacrifice for the team, he can flat out shoot the three, and is dominant on the boards. Winslow is great at transition offense with the ability to grab a rebound and create his own offense. Winslow needs to work on his form as it can be shaky, he also needs work on his touch around the rim. Ball handling, can range from a young James Harden to a very careless ball handler. Finding consistency with this will allow for him to develop a whole lot quicker. Defensively, they do not come more stingy than Winslow. Winslow is dominant on the side of the court. He uses his length to wreak havoc in passing lanes, he also uses his length and strength to guard almost any position. Worst case for Winslow in the NBA is that is struggles to find a consistent shot and just becomes an elite defender much like Jimmy Butler did in his early career before emerging as an elite player on both ends. Winslow should go in the pick range of 3-8 with the Orlando Magic and Detroit Pistons becoming increasingly infatuated with his talents.

Pro Comparison:

Kawhi Leonard

Kawhi Leonard impacts the game in so many different ways and that is why guys like him are in such high demand. Winslow has the same defensive intensity as Leonard, and much like scouts said about Leonard when he was leaving San Diego State, Winslow is not even close to being a polished player offensively. With that being said, Winslow, has a more polished offensive game than Leonard had coming out of college, Winslow should develop at a faster pace and hit his potential. Winslow is so tenacious on the boards, much like Leonard is now and was in college. The first couple seasons Leonard was not a huge factor on the offensive side of the ball, he really emerged as a offensive piece last year in the finals. Winslow will probably need the same amount of time to develop his overall offensive game, but until that time, his defensive ability should allow for him to crack the rotation from day one and he will be able to develop into the rising star that Leonard has become.

By: Mac Crowe @Mac_Truck17