Warriors Draft Watch List - Tyler Bey SF, Colorado
As the Warriors seem headed for a top 5-10 pick I thought I'd share some prospects I'll be keeping an eye on this year.
Bey is not that high on most internet draft boards. NBAdraft.net has him the highest I've seen at 19 overall with most other sites having him as a low 1 or 2nd round prospect.
Here's why he's caught my eye:
- Really intriguing statistical markers.
- Great physical attributes.
- Fills huge need as two way wing.
- Cool name.
Statistical Markers
As a sophomore he averaged 13.6 PPG, 9.9 RPG, 0.6 APG, 1.2 SPG, 0.8 BPG 56% FG, 23% 3P, 78% FT in 26.3 MPG. So what jumps out? The 3P% is obviously an issue for a modern wing, however he's got the very high FT% which generally correlates to good 3P shooting in the NBA. That's a major difference between him and Andre Roberson who was another Colorado wing with eye popping defensive numbers. Roberson never scored, couldn't make 3's and couldn't make free throws. The 3P shot for Bey obviously requires some projection but that is something to keep an eye on this year.
The points, rebounds, steals, and blocks all fit the activity markers you're targeting in an athletic, defensive oriented wing. But what's really exciting is he did that in 26 minutes a game. If you translated that to per 36 it's: 18.6 PPG, 13.6 RPG, 0.8 APG, 1.6 SPG and 1.1 BPG. The ability to score with that crazy level of ball production is very rare. Just as a comparison here were Kawhi's per 36 as a sophomore: 17.1 PPG, 11.7 RPG, 2.8 APG, 1.5 SPG, 0.6 BPG 29% 3PP, 76% FT.
Great Physical Attributes
He's 6'7' 218lb with a 7'1" wingspan. The frame looks like a leaner version of Shawn Marion and easy to imagine he could add 10 healthy lbs in a professional weight program. I admittedly have not watched a lot of him other than a few highlight videos, but the athleticism is obvious and it's very smooth. He's moving fast and jumping high but it looks very easy for him.
Fills a need
As we rebuild around Steph, Klay and Dray in their 30's I think there's a huge need for an athletic, dirty work wing who can take the toughest defensive assignments, rebound, and not be a zero on offense. Unfortunately there don't seem to be many of these type of players that are projected in the first round at this point. Also, as a more experienced college player he could come in and fill that role right away while continuing to develop a more well rounded offensive game in the coming years (the way that Leonard and Siakam did).
Cool name
Sometimes you just feel it. Tyler Bey seems like a star level name.
Caveats
He'll turn 22 this year so he's old for a college junior and older prospects are seen as having less upside. The 0.6 APG is alarming as it suggests a lack of b-ball IQ and overall skill. As mentioned, the 3P shooting has to develop.
Takeaway
Bey had a massive jump from his freshman to sophomore year. If he continues that trajectory and gets his stat line anywhere close to his per 36 numbers while (crucially) hitting some 3's I think he will quickly get moved up into more draft board top 10's. The mix of those physical attributes with the ball production seems to match the type of late bloomer wings/forwards we've seen like Kawhi, Paul George, and Siakam.
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