NBA Draft Insider

College: Kentucky

Birthday: 09/28/1993

NBA Position: SF

Class: Freshman

Ht: 6-7

Wt: 205

Hometown: Elizabeth, NJ

High School: St. Patrick’s

Ceiling: 

Basement: Ronnie Brewer

NBA Comparison: Gerald Wallace

Strengths:

• Athletic
• Long (6-11 wingspan)
• High Motor
• Basketball IQ
• Quality Defender
• Rebounds Position
• Good Passer

Weaknesses:

• Average Shooter
• Shooting Form
• Ball-Handling

Analysis:

05/05/2012

Michael Kidd-Gilchrist (MKG) has signed with Leon Rose and CAA for representation after declaring for the NBA Draft.

As a perimeter player it is a tough sell when you average 11.9 PPG and 1.9 APG for the entire season. That is not the general requirement for a Top 5 pick, but that does not tell the story of MKG. He plays with an unmatched motor and energy on both ends of the court.

Though he plays the perimeter as a wing (SG or SF) MKG has the skill-set of a power forward. He is a great rebounder for his size. He gets into great position as a rebounder off the perimeter. In the paint his athleticism and second jump ability allows MKG to out rebound bigger players. MKG brings all of those skills to a perimeter position creating versatility throughout the line-up.

In transition MKG is the perfect lane filler on the wing. He attacks the basket relentlessly in transition and can finish as well as anyone in the draft class.

As a scorer his best asset is attacking the basket. His jump shot has an awkward form and is not consistent enough to score from the perimeter. As the season progressed MKG showed some potential to get better as a shooter, but that looks to be a ways away. MKG will be an athlete/defender on the perimeter at the next level until he can gain consistency as a shooter.

As of today MKG is the No. 1 ranked small forward, No. 3 Overall pick in the Mock Draft, and the No. 5 prospect on the Big Board.

02/12/2012

Playing with a high motor has never paid off more for a prospect. To start the season MKG was seen as an odd fit on Kentucky, but has proven to be a valuable leader and glue player. He does not do one specific thing on offense great, but manages to impact the game. His major impact is on defense where he can pressure the ball 90 feet and guard all three perimeter positions.

Entering the season the knock on MKG was that he could not create his own shot and would be a lost commodity on this Kentucky team. He has risen to become maybe more valuable than his more acclaimed teammate Anthony Davis. What has been the most impressive of MKG is his assertiveness and efficiency on offense. He attacks the basket as good as anyone in the Nation in transition and in the half court.

He has earned the right to be seen as the best perimeter player in the 2012 Draft Class. From strictly an athletic and defensive standpoint MKG is an elite prospect and could very well go Top 3. His offensive limitations are still a concern, but at only 19 years old he has plenty of time and potential to get better.

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