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NBA Draft Profile: Malik Monk
- Updated: April 25, 2017
Malik Monk
6-3, 200 lbs.
Kentucky
Freshman
STRENGTHS: This kid is a lights-out shooter (probably the best in the draft) and has already proven he’s got the Clutch Gene as well. Monk was explosive at times this season, erupting for 47 against North Carolina in December, 34 against Ole Miss a few weeks later, 37 against Georgia in January, and 33 against Florida and 27 against Vandy in February. On a team loaded with future NBA players, Monk was the alpha-dog.
Even more impressive was his cold-blooded, near-impossible, game-tying dagger in the final seconds of the Wildcats’ Elite Eight loss to North Carolina. You knew he was going to knock down that shot before he even got the ball. Monk led Kentucky’s comeback from seven down in the final minute-plus, and if it weren’t for Carolina’s Luke Maye burying a buzzer-beater on the other end, he may have carried the ‘Cats into the Final Four.
WEAKNESSES:He’s only 6-3, which nowadays is small for a shooting guard. (Especially when compared to somebody like Jonathan Isaac, who’s an obscene 6-10). What’s worse is that he doesn’t have a great feel for running offense, and probably wouldn’t be able to transition to the point easily. (Averaged just 2.3 apg this year).
Monk could also struggle defending bigger guards and could spend a lot of time getting posted up on, or shot over. Like many college freshmen, he’s scrawny, and is going to need to add some muscle in order to be competitive at the next level.
BOTTOM LINE: Monk is a gifted shooter and easy scorer, and even though he’s been streaky at times, he ought to develop into a knock-down three-point shooter at the next level, which will open up room for him off of the shot-fake. He’s slight, and won’t be able to attack the rim right away in the league, but that may come with more muscle and confidence. He’s got enough questions that you wonder whether or not he’ll become a sure-fire star at the next level, but this kid’s talent, confidence and moxie (maybe to quote Bill Raftery) are exceptional enough that he should be able to carve out a long, productive career in the NBA.
