Phoenix Suns second round power forward prospects

ST. LOUIS, MO – MARCH 07: Georgia forward Yante Maten (1) lays up a shot during a Southeastern Conference Basketball Tournament game between the Georgia Bulldogs and the Vanderbilt Commodores on March 07, 2018, at Scottrade Center, St. Louis, MO. (Photo by Keith Gillett/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images).

7. Yante Maten – Georgia/From Michigan (6-8 240, 21-years-old)

Yante is an active finisher with a rock solid motor and that helps make up for him being shorter than what one might desire for a PF. That could be part of the reason why he was awarded Associated Press SEC Player of the Year. The award shows despite his size he comes out ready to play. The Suns need someone like that. He’s a stretch four with a 46-34-80 shooting line that helped him to season averages of 19.3 points, 8.6 rebounds and 1.5 blocks per game. He is very smart and plays good defense. In an upset win over Missouri, he grabbed the whiteboard from his head coach and drew up the game winning defensive play. I mean, as a player, you shouldn’t ever grab the whiteboard from your coach. However, seeing that he drew up a play that won the game, I’m sure his coach smiled and thanked him. Maybe he even took him out for a cold one later. One NBA draft analyst claimed he has an inspiring old school game and that if he improves on the catch and shoot aspect of his game he will be a steal in the second round.

Yante is an active finisher with a rock solid motor and that helps make up for him being shorter than what one might imagine for a PF. That could be part of the reason why he was awarded Associated Press SEC Player of the Year. He’s a stretch four with a 46-34-80 shooting line that helped him to 19.3 points, 8.6 rebounds and 1.5 blocks per game. He is very smart and plays good defense. In an upset win over Missouri, he grabbed the whiteboard from his head coach and drew up the game winning defensive play.