Scouting Report: Montrezl Harrell

Montrezl Harrell is a power forward from the University of Louisville. Harrell is 6’8 with a 7’3 wingspan. For the year, he averaged, 35.1 minutes per game, 15.7 points per game, 9.2 rebounds per game, 1.4 assists per game, 1.2 blocks per game, while shooting 56.6% from the field, and 24.3% from three.

Pros:

• Fantastic length
• Great NBA level strength with the frame to add more
• Aggressive rebounder
• Good leaper
• Active around the rim
• Improved jumper efficiency over his college career
• Good pick-and-roll qualities
• Good vision in the low post
• Good overall defender
• Shot blocking potential
• High motor

Cons:

• 6’8 height for a power forward
• Has strength to handle power forwards, but will likely get shot over a lot by taller NBA big men.
• Lacks a developed offensive game
• Needs improvement on his jumper efficiency
• Poor free throw shooter

Overall:

Montrezl Harrell is one of the guys everyone has a soft spot for. He gives 100% effort game in, game out and that makes fans, players, and coaches very happy. Harrell also does the dirty work, and he does it with pride. He averaged 3.2 offensive rebounds per game last season.  This is outstanding to see, because the league has so few guys that can dominate the offensive glass. Harrell uses this rebounding ability to get most of his offense through put-backs and dunks. Harrell is good at this type of low post offense, but other than that his game is lacking any other offensive threat. In the low post, Harrell has great vision to find his teammates, or get his own shot off. During a double team, Harrell is calm and patience and has great ability to be able to pass out of it. Hack-a-Shaq or Hack-a-Jordan will more than likely apply to Harrell, as he has a below career average of a 60% free throw shooter. He has improved his jumper’s efficiency this past season, but it is still hitting below 37%, so you can see it is not reliable. He has the ability to hit a three, but as nice as this is to see him have the ability to do, he has no real accuracy with this shot, and you would rather have him stay in the low post anyway. Moving to his defensive side, Harrell is a great one-on-one defender, who uses his strength to not get backed down, and length to contest his opponent’s shots. He does possess shot blocking potential, but with his shorter statue for the NBA level, this may fade away a tad bit. Overall, Harrell is a role player at the next level. His limited offensive games makes him a hard fit to be a starter for any of the teams that will be likely selecting him. Although, he will be a role player, he will give you everything he has on both ends of the court, leaving for opposing coaches to always want a guy like him. His draft range is looking to be around the 17-25 spots, with the Toronto Raptors heavily favored to select him.

Pro Comparison: 

Kenneth Faried

Everyone knows Faried as a high energy, post player. On the physical side, both players are shorter than typical NBA power forwards, but compensate for it with long arms, explosiveness, and high motors. On the basketball related skill side, both Faried and Harrell are excellent rebounders, using great fundamental mechanics to obtain those rebounds. They both like to play in the low post, never really obtaining a reliable mid-range game. Their defensive style of play is very similar, in that both are great one-on-one defenders, have the length to make their opponent’s shots almost always contested, and that length also comes in handy in disrupting opposing team’s passing lanes. Weaknesses are very similar for these two players as well. They both lack offensive games outside the low post, poor free throw shooters, and both turnover the ball over quite a bit for two players who barely dribble, or do any type of ball handling. With all that being said, Faried has made a successful career sticking to his strengths, avoiding his weaknesses, and being an energizer for his team. With his assumed selection coming in the late teens to early twenties. Harrell will more than likely be taking this role for whatever team decides to select him. Harrell should not have to be worried about contributing right away, and will be able to apply his strength’s off the bench, and then improve his weaknesses during practice with coaches and players.

By: Mac Crowe, @Mac_Truck17