Kristaps Kilps

Kristaps Kilps, 6-3, SG, Latvia, 2001

Strengths
-Hard-playing, aggressive guard who finished the cup third in scoring at 20 points per game in 27 minutes.
-Average size for a two guard at 6' 3” but a projectable frame with above average length. Good athlete who can play above the rim in space.
-Strong straight line driver who can put it down going right or left. Will finish with either hand. Doesn't shy away from contact. Got to the line a tremendous 14.4 times per 40 minutes.
-Projectable catch and shoot three ball despite a pedestrian percentage. A bit of a low release point but the ball comes out nicely with good rotation. Can also make a one or two dribble pull up with time and space.
-Able to play out of a ball screen as a straight line slasher. Can also make a pull up three if the defense goes under. Has solid touch on floaters. Showed some flashes as a pick and roll passer although he's very much a score first guard.
-Very competitive defensively. Will fly in on the glass (9.4 rebounds per 40). Good feet on the ball. Digs in and takes pride in stopping his man. Racked up quite a few on ball deflections and blocks thanks to his activity – 4.5 steals and 2.5 blocks per 40.
-Plays with an edge and passion that you don't always see from players his age

Weaknesses
-Average size for a traditional two guard
-Can get a little bit out of control going to the rim. Decision-making has room to improve. Score-first mindset – 1 to 4 assist to turnover ratio. Doesn't always play the most efficient brand of basketball.
-Streaky shooter. A bit of a forward jumper who needs time and space to be accurate. Can improve his ability to shoot off the bounce, especially when contested.
-Emotions get the best of him at times. Will lash out at the refs. Passionate play works for and against him.
-Handle is a bit rigid. Would benefit from developing into more of a combo guard given his size.
-Can be very foul prone defensively. Too aggressive.

Outlook
Kips stood out as one of the better guard prospects at the cup thanks to his athleticism, aggressive nature, potential as a shooter and defensive activity. Kilps, who is playing with Venspils' second team, will need to eventually either grow or refine his ball skills/playmaking to be considered a legitimate NBA prospect but at 15 he has a lot of time to work on his weaknesses. Kilps' two-way game make him an interesting player to follow as he develops in Latvia.