Phoenix Suns Draft Primer: Brandon Clarke

The Positives

Make sure you’re sitting down for this next stat.

I’m serious. Are you sitting? I hope you are.

Brandon recorded as many blocks as missed shots during the regular season at Gonzaga, according to Sports Reference.

117 blocks. 117 missed shots.

And it’s not like Clarke was timid on the offensive end during his time with the Bulldogs — averaging just shy of 17 points per game. He’s just THAT good of a shot blocker.

The Vancouver-native is a beast in the paint, inviting contact without fouling before using his elite athleticism and pogo sticks for legs to leap out of the gym and smack the ball into the fourth row.

He has the technique to deny positioning off-ball, the energy to lock down opposing bigs and wings on-ball and the instincts and recovery time to alter shots on help defense. This defensive prowess is the epitome of what makes Clarke such an intriguing prospect in this year’s draft.

He also has the vertical timing to make key rebounds, most notably on offense. Although he is only 6-foot-8, Clarke still skies for timely boards and instead of forcing a contested finish afterwards, has the awareness to search the perimeter for the open man.

Clarke has a team-first approach to his game — always getting his teammates involved and only shooting when he has a high percentage look at the basket.

While scoring threat isn’t the first thing you think of when analyzing Clarke’s talent, he can still be a useful tool in the pick-and-roll at the next level.

He sets solid screens before quickly diving towards the hoop for a potential lob or drifting to the elbow for a mid-range jumper. He has the feel and smarts to evaluate an opposing defense and calculate the most effective way to attack it.

The Negatives

With seemingly limitless potential preventing opponents from scoring, Clarke’s shortcomings stem from actually putting the ball in the basket himself.

He is a below average shooter from beyond the arc, hitting at a disappointing 27 percent clip at Gonzaga. In the modern NBA predicated on three point shooting, with big men trying their hand at being sharpshooters — the evolution of the league could leave Clarke in the dust if he doesn’t improve in that area.

He has been working all offseason on his range, but workouts are different from in-game action and Clarke will have to prove his offensive versatility to be relied upon in professional lineups.

Clarke has a tiny wingspan for a big, measuring in at only 6-foot-8 during the NBA Combine. He might struggle finding ways to out-rebound longer power forwards and centers in the NBA.

This limited length has also terrified scouts about his defensive ceiling, fearing that talented finishers will find it easy to simply extend and shoot over him. Clarke will have to bank on his other-worldly athleticism to mask these deficiencies over the course of his career.

Player Comparison

Paul Millsap with Jordan Bell shot blocking ability