Deyonta Davis is a power forward from Michigan State University. Davis is 6’10 and has a wingspan of 7’2. For the year, he averaged, 18.6 minutes per game, 7.5 points per game, 5.5 rebounds per game, 0.7 assists per game, 0.3 steals per game, 1.8 blocks per game, while shooting 59.8% from the field.
Pros:
- Efficient scorer
- Developing mid-range game
- Good in transition offense
- Can finish with either hand
- Excellent rim protection traits
- Great pick-and-roll defender
- Can play either the 4 or 5
- Great rebounder
- Great NBA size and length
- Great athleticism
- Good leaping ability
- High potential
Cons:
- Lack of offensive confidence
- Does not make a big impact on offense
Only uses about 1-2 post moves- Poor free throw shooter
- Defensive awareness
- On-ball defense
- Foul prone
Overall:
We did not get to see much of Deyonta Davis during his first year at Michigan State, so his stats are limited. He is full of potential on both ends of the court, but he will need a lot of development at the next level to contribute anything meaningful. The class does not look to have a lot of star power, but is full of potential role players, and Davis looks to add his name to that group.
On offense, Davis needs to find some confidence himself. He is efficient in the paint, and when he does step out for a mid-range jumper, but most of the time he is too timid. The majority of his scoring comes from within five feet of the basket, and does not contribute much else, and can look lost on offense. Around the rim, Davis is able to finish with either hand, which is a major asset at the next level. Davis will need to use this ability to finish with either hand to develop more post moves, as he is predictable with his moves, which will lead to many blocked shots at the next level.
Defense is what will likely keep Davis as a top fifteen pick. He is susceptible to fakes, pumps, which leads to higher foul numbers when he was given the chance of more minutes. Needs to stay focused when guarding the rim. Davis is often too aggressive, and strays away from his instincts it is causing him to miss the opportunity for a decisive block, or lead to a foul. As a perimeter defender, Davis is poor at best. College stretch fours destroyed him no matter the skill level, and this could be a crucial flaw at the next level. When it comes to on-ball defense, Davis can be both good and bad. If he is guarding faster players he struggles, but when it comes to slower, bigger players, Davis can match up well. He uses his size well to not get bullied around. In terms of rebounding, Davis is a natural. He is great at tracking, boxing out, and helping his team get into transition offense.
As an overall, Davis is a work in progress. He never consistently stood out at Michigan State, and another year or two would have done wonders for his game. His current defense, as well as future potential will keep him in the top half of the draft, while any development on offense will just be viewed as a plus. In the mid-teens, I expect teams like Denver and Boston to target him to throw him onto their bench, and let him develop, and contribute 7-12 minutes a game as a rookie.
Pro Comparison: Gorgui Dieng
Gorgui Dieng and Davis both came out of school extremely raw on offense, but loads of potential on the defensive end of the court. Dieng has panned out into a reliable role player for the Minnesota Timberwolves. His offensive game is finally starting to emerge after a few seasons, and that is what should be expected from Davis in his early years.
On offense, both players are efficient scorers near the basket. Even with that being said, Dieng and Davis have limited sets of post moves, and watching Dieng at the next level, it struggles to make an impact on offense because of this. Over the past few season, especially this past season, Dieng has risen confidence in his offense game to the point of stepping out for 10-15 foot jumpers, and started to sink them at a good rate. Davis is coming into the league with much better mechanics on his jumper, so he should not take as long to make an impact from mid-range. Davis also has the advantage in transition, as his speed and body control could make him a dominant player in transition later on.
Defensively is where both of these players make a name for themselves. Dieng stayed for all four years at college so he was able to fine tune his defense abilities before declaring for the draft, so the underdeveloped defensive motor concerns from Davis could be a result of youth. Both players were gifted with natural big bodies, length, and good hop. This has allowed for both players to become natural rim protectors for their respective teams. Dieng has better footwork, and does not bite as much as Davis, which allows for him to stay out of foul trouble. As said before, Davis needs to work on this, as fouls become a problem for him. Rebounding is about the same for both of these players. Both use solid fundamentals to give their teams an advantage on the boards.
Many people will have high expectations for Davis, but with a very underdeveloped offensive game, I just do not see any star potential. Davis will likely be a very good role player in his career, one that specializes in Davis, but due to his inability to dominate his peers in college, and no real killer instinct, a role of the bench, or as a mid-tier starter is the best case scenario for whoever drafts Davis.
By: Mac Crowe, @Mac_Truck17
NBA Source Today 