- Paris Olympics takeaways: What did Team USA’s crunch-time lineup say about NBA’s hierarchy?Posted 3 months ago
- Zach Edey posted an easy double-double in Summer League debut. Here’s why he’ll succeed in NBAPosted 4 months ago
- What will we most remember these champion Boston Celtics for?Posted 4 months ago
- After long, seven-year road filled with excruciating losses, Celtics’ coast to NBA title felt ‘surreal’Posted 5 months ago
- South Florida men’s basketball is on an unbelievable heater– but also still on the bubblePosted 8 months ago
- Kobe Bufkin is balling out for Atlanta Hawks’ G League team. When will he be called up to NBA?Posted 9 months ago
- Former Knicks guards Immanuel Quickley, RJ Barrett may yet prove Raptors won the OG Anunoby tradePosted 10 months ago
- Rebounding savant Oscar Tshiebwe finally gets NBA chance he’s deserved for yearsPosted 11 months ago
- Is Tyrese Maxey vs. Tyrese Haliburton the next great NBA guard rivalry?Posted 12 months ago
- The Detroit Pistons are going to be a problem in a few yearsPosted 12 months ago
NBA Draft Profile: Austin Rivers
- Updated: May 19, 2012
AUSTIN RIVERS
6-4, 203 lbs.
Hometown: Winter Park, FL
School: Duke
Class: Freshman
STRENGTHS: Yes, even Coach K has fallen victim to the allure of the one-and-done. For the second straight season, Duke will lose a starting freshman guard to the NBA Draft lottery. Austin Rivers might not be Kyrie Irving in the NBA…but he’s pretty close, having averaged 15.4 points, 3.4 rebounds and 2.1 assists per game this season. Rivers is a tall shooting guard with excellent slashing ability and a sweet jumper. He showed big-time chops in the clutch; waving off teammates and knocking down an iconic game-winning three in Chapel Hill. He’s also got the quickness and tenacity to become a good defender at the next level, and has the ability to play either the 1 or the 2.
WEAKNESSES: Rivers needs to learn how to facilitate more for others if he wants to be successful at the point in the NBA. Too many times in college he tried to go one-on-one when the right move would have been to give up the ball. He may need some serious coaching in order to become a pass-first point guard at the next level. Rivers has also developed a bit of a prima donna tag among scouts, and will have to work to change that image. Learning to become a better teammate on both ends of the floor will be critical, as he hasn’t been known to give everything he has on defense, either.
BOTTOM LINE: Any freshman who can come right in and take over the reigns at Duke has what it takes to ball at any level. Doc Rivers’ kid has the confidence and the ability to become a good scorer in the NBA. He’s also got the skill set to be a quality point guard at the next level, if he learns how to better facilitate for teammates. Rivers is going to be a good NBA guard once he matures.
Pingback: ROUNDBALL DAILY.COM » 2012 NBA Draft In Review