Phoenix Suns Draft Primer: Jarrett Culver

The Positives

Culver has an elite mid-range game that can drive any analytics-lover insane.

The shot-creating wing can execute a straight line drive into the lane before using his length and high-arcing shot to pull up and drain the bucket. If a defender cheats up, expecting the mid-range jumper, Culver adjusts with a filthy spin move putting his opponent in a blender before finishing with either hand at the rack.

He ended up tallying over 18 points a game, which happened to be 25 percent of Texas Tech’s entire offensive output last year – a key indicator of how integral he was to his team’s success.

While Culver has been celebrated as a walking bucket, his main strength might come from the defensive end of the floor.

The Texas-native can guard multiple positions — dwarfing shooting guards with his long arms and shot-blocking abilities, and stifling larger small forwards with quick hands and terrific defensive instincts. The result is a multi-faceted defensive force to be reckoned with, a swing player racking up steals and blocks at will.

It is no surprise that Texas Tech, led by Culver, was the number one defense in the nation last year.

The Big 12 Player of the Year is as pro-ready as any prospect in this draft, thanks to his absurd 32 percent usage rate at the collegiate level.

While being responsible as the primary ball-handler, Culver was expected to create shots for both himself and his teammates, and he delivered, producing a team-leading 3.7 assists per game. He has the high basketball IQ necessary to become a slasher with the ball in his hands, find open seams while cutting off-ball and fill the lane perfectly during transition opportunities.

His talent will only increase in the NBA with proper spacing in the open court.

The Negatives

Minor question marks stem from Culver’s slowly-developing jump shot and how it will translate to the highest level.

His rigid form and painfully sluggish shot will present a problem when opponents close out during catch-and-shoot 3’s and has the possibility of being routinely stripped by aggressive defenders on pull-ups. He will need to make some slight tweaks to become a consistent perimeter shooter and fully realize his offensive potential.

While Culver had little issue locking down small forwards at Texas Tech, his lean 194-pound frame will have trouble defending some of the strong superstar wings populating the NBA. He will have to put on at least 20 pounds to avoid being bullied on the block and shed aside on transition finishes at the rim.

Luckily, he’s only 20-years-old and has a couple years to fully grow into his body.

Player Comparison

Undersized Andre Iguodala with a Demar DeRozan mid-range game.