Raphiael Putney

Raphiael Putney

Measurements: 6' 9.5” (in shoes), 177 pounds, 7' 4” wingspan, and a 9' 2” standing reach

2015-16 D-League Per 40 Pace Adjusted Stats: 21.4 points, 10.2 rebounds, 2.4 assists, 3.0 turnovers, 1.4 steals and 2.9 blocks on 53.4 2P%, 36.0 3P%, and 68.8 FT% in 30.5 minutes (48 games).

Putney's ascension to basketball relevance has been a unique one. An unheralded recruit out of high school, Putney turned in a fairly pedestrian five-year career at UMass, averaging 8.7 points and 24 minutes per game as a senior.

The Woodbridge, VA native went on to make the Rio Grand Valley Vipers through an open tryout prior to the 2014-15 season and played only 9.5 minutes per game (23 contests) while being deactivated twice.

After his rookie season Putney spent time playing in Saudi Arabia, Malaysia, and Australia before eventually taking the D-League by storm as a 25-year-old second-year player, playing the best basketball of his career.

As a prospect, Putney has a very unique blend of skills for a 6' 9.5” forward with the length and standing reach of a center, but the weight of a lanky point guard. With a 177-pound skin-and-bones frame he's very light on his feet and can play above the rim.

Offensively, Putney's greatest value is as a floor-spacer. His mechanics are a bit loose and his release isn't all that quick, but Putney's high-arcing jumper is most certainly a weapon, one that he's been able to employ out to three both off the catch and off the dribble.

Despite fairly small hands and pencil thin legs, Putney can also put it on the deck from the perimeter, although he can get a bit out of control and trigger-happy. On the defensive side of the ball Putney has value as a shot blocker thanks to his impressive reach and quick leaping ability.

Putney shows flashes of effort on defense, but is very inconsistent in that department, while oftentimes displaying poor body language to boot. At 177 pounds Putney has major issues defending on the interior, rebounding in traffic and finishing through contact. All in all Putney has most certainly benefitted from the D-League's free-flowing style of play. His frame, along with his loose style of play, limits his NBA potential, but his shot making, fluidity and occasional rim protection make him an interesting player to keep an eye on if he can find a way to pack on some weight at age 26.