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Suns Squared: Jarrett Culver

By Brooks Bellman

MINNEAPOLIS, MINNESOTA - APRIL 08: Jarrett Culver #23 of the Texas Tech Red Raiders is introduced before the game against the Virginia Cavaliers in the 2019 NCAA men's Final Four National Championship game at U.S. Bank Stadium on April 08, 2019 in Minneapolis, Minnesota. (Photo by Jamie Schwaberow/NCAA Photos via Getty Images)
MINNEAPOLIS, MINNESOTA - APRIL 08: Jarrett Culver #23 of the Texas Tech Red Raiders is introduced before the game against the Virginia Cavaliers in the 2019 NCAA men's Final Four National Championship game at U.S. Bank Stadium on April 08, 2019 in Minneapolis, Minnesota. (Photo by Jamie Schwaberow/NCAA Photos via Getty Images) /
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If the Phoenix Suns end up slipping in the lottery or trading back, one player they might target is Texas Tech swing guard, Jarrett Culver.

Despite the disappointing end to the season for Texas Tech, a trip to the NCAA Tournament Finals to culminate an excellent tournament run is a season to be proud of.

Jarrett Culver was the key to this run for the Red Raiders and the versatile wing has a great NBA base to work from with the potential to reach an even higher ceiling given growth in his game.

Culver posted solid stats in a variety of categories in 2019 which display’s his versatility.

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He posted a 26.1% assist rate, a 17.2% defensive rebound rate, and a 2.8% steal rate.

These are solid numbers that display his abilities as a pure passer who can make plays off the bounce and in the pick and roll.

His rebounding is strong for his position and is driven by his competitive nature and his defensive versatility and long wingspan are put to good use and displayed by his impressive steal rate.

Offensively, Culver was also able to draw 6.1 fouls per 40 minutes which is good for top-70 nation-wide. He was also able to score 22.8 points per 40 minutes and showed promise as a driver, off the dribble shooter, and particularly showed that he has a knack for making tough shots.

Culver also led the nation in defensive win shares (3.5) and ranked 17th in overall win shares and 20th in the nation in box plus-minus.

On the negative side, Jarrett struggled to shoot the ball consistently and with accuracy. He was only a 30% 3-point shooter and a 71% shooter from the free throw line.

While his future NBA employer will expect those shooting percentages to improve with constant practice, Josh Jackson is proof that while improvement can happen, it can take a lot long than a franchise would prefer.

His low TS% of 54.2 further reflects those struggles. He has a particularly slow release, his form seems stilted at times, made especially obvious as he tends to take unforced contested jumpers which lowers his percentages.

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For the Phoenix Suns to target him if they slide in the lottery, they will expect Culver to improve his ball-handling and add polish to his all-around offensive game, although, like Jackson, he does have the base talent to make a significant impact in the NBA on both ends of the floor.

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