NBA Draft Insider

College: St. John’s

Birthday: 05/11/1993

NBA Position: SF

Class: Freshman

Ht: 6-8

Wt: 190

Hometown: Queens, NY

High School: South Kent

Ceiling:

Basement: Darius Miles

NBA Comparison: Marvin Williams

Strengths:

• Athletic
• Long
• Versatile
• Point-Forward Skills
• Rebounds his Position
• Good Mid-Range Shooter

Weaknesses:

• Strength
• Experience

Analysis:

05/15/2012

St. John’s standout freshman Moe Harkless has hired Happy Walters as his agent declaring for the NBA Draft.

After a surprising freshman year Harkless felt it was his time to enter the NBA Draft. He is a wiry small forward with good size and athleticism. Based on pure necessity he became the best player on a very talented, but controversial team.

Harkless proved to be a quality point-forward over time taking the reins of the teams play-making. He did not average an elite number in assists (1.5 per game), but had the ball in his hands every play. With the ball he is able to see over the defense and set teammates up for good looks. Harkless is an improved ball-handler, but needs to work on that to play on the perimeter consistently.

Another thing Harkless needs to work on to play on the perimeter consistently is his shooting. On the season he shot 45.2% all around, but the story is from three. As a three-point shooter he shot 21.5% (17-79) on the season. From two? Harkless shot 50.5% (176/348) on the season. It is clear that Harkless can play and shoot inside the arc, but he struggles shooting from beyond it.

As a small forward Harkless was as good a rebounder as anyone in the class for the position. He finished the year at 8.6 RPG. On the offensive end Harkless was very active grabbing 2.75 per game on that side. His length and athleticism allow him to move around in the paint against bigger, stronger opponents.

Harkless has a lot of upside as a point-forward after just one year in college. There are many things he will need to improve on, but at 19 years old there is plenty of time for development. The strides he made as a freshman are insightful in the work ethic and motor of Harkless.

As of today Harkless is the No. 5 small forward, the No. 27 prospect on the Big Board, and going No. 28 Overall in the Mock Draft.

(video)