NBA Draft Profile: Mason Plumlee

MASON PLUMLEE

6-10, 235 lbs.

School: Duke

Class: Senior

Streeter Lecka/ Getty Images

STRENGTHS: Plumlee has all of the physical gifts to be a quality NBA center. He’s huge (6-10, 235) and athletic, and is a monster around the glass. Duke fans won’t like hearing this, but he’s comparable to Tyler Hansbrough in terms of the energy and effort he brings to the position. Plumlee uses his size very well and knows how to position himself down low. He’s surprisingly mobile and athletic for his size. In 2013, he emerged as one of the best big men in the country and a National Player of the Year candidate, averaging 17 points and 10 rebounds per game.

WEAKNESSES: Many of his points come on garbage baskets and he’s not going to be able to use his size the way he does now in the NBA. Plumlee lacks a true go-to move down low and doesn’t have a particularly refined post game. Unlike Hansbrough, he can be pushed around at times against more physical bigs and doesn’t seem to have the stomach to body with big guys all game long. He can be awkward with the ball and isn’t ever going to be someone you’re going to dump it into for a basket at the next level.

BOTTOM LINE: Plumlee is an intriguing big man because of a ridiculous combination of size and athletic capability. He just plays big, which is something that doesn’t come natural to a lot of power forwards and centers. He’ll never be a main offensive threat in the NBA, but his motor and toughness around the rim will suit him well. He could end up being a starting center down the road.

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