#1: Josh McRoberts
6-11, PF/C, Sophomore, Duke
Jonathan Givony
One of the most highly touted high school players to join the college ranks in the pre-age limit era over the past few years, Josh McRoberts has passed on the honors of being a likely lottery pick twice already in his short career. Having decided to return to the cozy confines of Cameron Indoor Stadium, McRoberts has absolutely no choice but to start translating his upside into major production if he wants to keep his draft stock steady.
Considering the tools he has at his disposal, the natural talent he shows every time he steps out on the floor, and his likely go-to role in Dukes offense; there is little reason to believe he wont be able to deliver on an All-American type season. Potential can only get you so far when youve been on the NBA radar since age 16, so it wouldnt be a stretch to say that its put up or shut up time for McRoberts.
Were talking about a prototypical power forward as far as NBA scouts are concerned, blessed with excellent quickness, outstanding leaping ability, and some of the surest hands youll find around. McRoberts is a graceful player with the way he gets around out on the floor, moving intelligently off the ball and presenting himself well to his partner in crime Greg Paulus, with whom hes formed terrific chemistry already. He understands the game extremely well and was outstanding scoring off cuts to the basket (92/114 or 81% in the 30 games we tracked) last season. He can go after a long rebound out of his area, bring the ball up the floor himself, and then finish the play himself with a spectacular one-handed dunk.
McRoberts also looks comfortable shooting the ball from the perimeter thanks to his good-looking flat-footed stroke, and is smart enough to quickly find the open man making a move to the basket. He has some solid potential as a shot-blocker and rebounder, but needs to get tougher and stronger to fully maximize this part of his game.
McRoberts was too often an afterthought in Dukes offense last season, although he seemed plenty content with this role for the most part and didnt show enough focus or consistency to warrant a bigger load. His intensity wavered last year, as did his assertiveness, and he will certainly have to show more of a willingness to take responsibilities if hes to keep his critics at bay.
The problem here is that McRoberts still hasnt found a consistent way to create offense for himself, as his back to the basket game is weak, his shot-creating skills from the perimeter unreliable, and his jumper untested outside of the wide open looks hes see playing off J.J. Redick and Shelden Williams. He lived off scraps as a freshmangetting a large majority of his points from offensive rebounds, in transition, and specifically off cuts to the basket for a drive and dish play from Paulus or a spectacular alley-lob from Sean Dockery. Going up and finishing stronger around the paint, developing a go-to move offensively, and specifically adding strength to his outstanding frame are all priorities for McRoberts over the next 9 months leading up to the draft. Assuming all is well with his lower back after the surgery he had to relieve pressure on nerves in his spine this past summer (he was just recently cleared to practice again after sitting out for an extensive time), a spot in the Top 10 of the lottery is his to lose.
Considering the tools he has at his disposal, the natural talent he shows every time he steps out on the floor, and his likely go-to role in Dukes offense; there is little reason to believe he wont be able to deliver on an All-American type season. Potential can only get you so far when youve been on the NBA radar since age 16, so it wouldnt be a stretch to say that its put up or shut up time for McRoberts.
Were talking about a prototypical power forward as far as NBA scouts are concerned, blessed with excellent quickness, outstanding leaping ability, and some of the surest hands youll find around. McRoberts is a graceful player with the way he gets around out on the floor, moving intelligently off the ball and presenting himself well to his partner in crime Greg Paulus, with whom hes formed terrific chemistry already. He understands the game extremely well and was outstanding scoring off cuts to the basket (92/114 or 81% in the 30 games we tracked) last season. He can go after a long rebound out of his area, bring the ball up the floor himself, and then finish the play himself with a spectacular one-handed dunk.
McRoberts also looks comfortable shooting the ball from the perimeter thanks to his good-looking flat-footed stroke, and is smart enough to quickly find the open man making a move to the basket. He has some solid potential as a shot-blocker and rebounder, but needs to get tougher and stronger to fully maximize this part of his game.
McRoberts was too often an afterthought in Dukes offense last season, although he seemed plenty content with this role for the most part and didnt show enough focus or consistency to warrant a bigger load. His intensity wavered last year, as did his assertiveness, and he will certainly have to show more of a willingness to take responsibilities if hes to keep his critics at bay.
The problem here is that McRoberts still hasnt found a consistent way to create offense for himself, as his back to the basket game is weak, his shot-creating skills from the perimeter unreliable, and his jumper untested outside of the wide open looks hes see playing off J.J. Redick and Shelden Williams. He lived off scraps as a freshmangetting a large majority of his points from offensive rebounds, in transition, and specifically off cuts to the basket for a drive and dish play from Paulus or a spectacular alley-lob from Sean Dockery. Going up and finishing stronger around the paint, developing a go-to move offensively, and specifically adding strength to his outstanding frame are all priorities for McRoberts over the next 9 months leading up to the draft. Assuming all is well with his lower back after the surgery he had to relieve pressure on nerves in his spine this past summer (he was just recently cleared to practice again after sitting out for an extensive time), a spot in the Top 10 of the lottery is his to lose.