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Andrew Garcia

Not in any ranking or draft
Height: 6'6" (198 cm)
Weight: 225 lbs (102 kg)
Position: SF
High School: Masters School (New York)
Hometown: Harlem, NY
College: Kent St
Current Team: Kent St
Win - Loss: 15 - 17

Articles

Nike Global Challenge Scouting Reports: Small Forwards

Mike Schmitz
Mike Schmitz
Jul 22, 2015, 08:20 pm
Andrew Garcia, 6-5, SF/PF, Harlem, New York, 2016 High School Class

A relative unknown entering the 2015 Nike Global Challenge, 6' 5” bowling ball Andrew Garcia made his presence felt with three monster performances in Chicago. Over the course of three games, Garcia averaged 30.9 points, 10.2 rebounds, 2.1 assists, 2.7 steals, and 1.6 blocks per 40 minutes pace adjusted while shooting 49% from two, 0-for-2 from three, and 64.3% from the line.

The Harlem native was one of the most physically imposing perimeter players at the tournament, standing around 6' 5” with long arms, big hands and an extremely developed frame. Garcia combined his physical profile with a non-stop attacking mentality that led to a barrage of transition finishes, straight line slashes in the half court, and an outrageous 14.9 free throw attempts per 40 minutes pace adjusted.

Garcia isn't the most gifted ball handler but he has tremendous body control and stays very low to the ground while showing an ability to attack going both left and right. His quickness, power combination was tough for opposing defenses to stop as it allowed the Dominican Republic to play him anywhere from the two to the four.

Garcia was a nightmare attacking from the elbows and did a nice job finishing through contact while also being a factor when his number wasn't called. The bruising combo forward has a nose for the ball and relentlessly attacks the offensive glass – to the tune of 3.7 offensive rebounds per 40.

Garcia's speed and power game combined with his workhorse mentality led to a 31.5 usage rate, second highest at the tournament. His attacking, tough style of play is something most coaches would love to have, but there are areas where Garcia still has significant room for improvement, starting with his jump shot.

Garcia has the agility and athleticism to be a two/three in time but he plays from 15 feet and in at this stage. He has a long, slightly cocked back release on his jumper, as he leans his head to the side and barely finishes his follow through. Garcia did make a mid-range jumper or two but he's far from being any type of a threat on the perimeter.

Garcia is also limited to mostly straight line drives and doesn't have a great feel for the game. He's prone to putting his head down, attacking, and barreling into help-side defenders. He can do a much better job of thinking the game, reacting to the defense and making the fundamental play – as evidenced by the small number of assists he dished out at the Global Challenge (four) compared with eight turnovers (which is not terrible) in 75 minutes.

Garcia can also improve his overall body language as he tends to get very emotional when things aren't going his well. He was plagued by foul trouble throughout portions of Pan-Africa's final game against Canada. Garcia let the calls get to his head but eventually put the team on his back and helped lead them to an 11-point victory.

On the defensive end, Garcia has the tools to be a multi-positional defender that should be able to defend at least three positions at the college level. He's strong, long, and quick laterally for a player with his strength. Garcia does have bouts of inconsistency on the defensive end, but the tools are there and given his ultra-aggressive mindset, it shouldn't be hard to get the best out of him on defense when he's challenged. He can fly all around the court off the ball and isn't immune to racking up a couple of chase-down blocks per game.

Garcia certainly isn't the most polished prospect as he's more of a combo forward right now (at least offensively), but his strength, length, quickness, explosiveness, body control and mentality should make him a nightmare matchup on both ends at the college ranks.

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