But it’s unclear whether he will be since his effort level generally left a lot to be desired in college. Microsoft may earn an Affiliate Commission if you purchase something through recommended links in this article.
If the overall efficiency nosedives — particularly on two-pointers (59.3 percent in college) — as a result of the dramatic hike in competition, his ancillary toolkit might just not be good enough to ensure he delivers lottery-type value from this draft. In fact, he doesn’t even make the first-round cut in many mock drafts out there currently, but I expect that to change as the pre-draft process starts to heat up. He projects as a guy who can guard 1-3 at the NBA level and defense could … Early in his collegiate career, he prioritized plunging into clogged lanes ahead of kick-out reads or threading drop-off lay-downs amid the trees. There is an economical and sudden nature that lords over Riller’s scoring package. Sifting back through my notes, he still opted for cumbersome self-creation rather than straightforward passes at a fairly high rate. Grant Riller had an excellent but under-the-radar collegiate career. A guy like Riller can do a lot of things in that aspect as he can handle the ball, he can shoot it efficiently, and he is aggressive getting to the basket.
He has remarkable touch around the basket, demonstrated by the fact that he ranked in the 88th percentile in finishing around the basket, converting 63% of his attempts. Of course, a high turnover rate in a vacuum can be a positive indicator for a point guard’s future in the NBA since it denotes high usage and a higher level of aggressiveness.However, he has not demonstrated enough of a consistent comfort level as a playmaker in pick-and-roll situations to be a point guard on a permanent basis in the NBA. His lateral movement and strength empower him to stymie attacks. An inconsistent defensive motor is hard to rewire the longer it persists.
His Navigating off-ball screens and staying attached to shooters is a significant weak point for Riller. His body control, speed variance, change of direction, handle, and 0-60 explosion coalesce for an electric downhill scorer. And in a draft that appears to … To contextualize the value of his career numbers, Arkansas guard and All-American Mason Jones, one of the nation’s most impressive pull-up shooters this year, posted 0.867 PPP off the dribble, placing him in the 71st percentile in 2019-20.As a pull-up shooter, Riller wields high-level space creation skills with quick-twitch fibers, whether it be via stepback jumpers, stop-on-a-dime elevation to spring loose, or bursting into openings for easier looks. Riller is an older prospect and very NBA ready. Off the ball, his speed and instincts are prevalent when he’s engaged, contributing to his career 2.3 percent steal rate. He rarely faced NCAA Tournament-caliber opponents and He’s going to be a good three-point shooter, but living in intermediate zones or at the rim is a difficult proposition for a 6’3 guard. If he remains a potent shot maker from anywhere on the floor, he’ll demand attention from on- and off-ball defenders, opening up passing reads and easy looks, as was the case in college. Homepage Mock Drafts. So not only will Riller will thrive in this area of the game in the NBA, but he will also help his teammates succeed as well.Riller also used his elite ball-handling and combination of explosive verticality and a quick first step to become one of the best finishers around the basket in the country.
He is also an incredible interior finisher who shot 107-of-152 (Coach Brett Brown has made it known in the past that he would like to move Ben Simmons off the ball a bit more.
He understands when to best apply his physical tools and how to maximize the functionality of his ball-handling to simplify opportunities. He utilizes swift, space-eating crossovers to drive into the lane. In a vaccum, Riller has the tools with his solid lateral quickness and strong frame to be an effective defender in the league. Riller’s quick and strong hands shine through on stunts, and he shrinks passing lanes with his awareness. Ball-watching plagues him at times.
He slithers through narrow openings, uses his off-hand to swipe away pesky defenders aiming to deter penetration and has the frame to dislodge opponents or absorb contact without affecting results. Augmenting those physical traits is ambidextrous finishing, balance, and strength, providing him immense rim gravity and effectiveness.
With 18-year-olds such as Ball or Anthony Edwards, it’s easier to coach away poor habits.
Throughout his four years, Riller never ranked lower than the 73rd percentile in pick-and-rolls or 70th percentile as an isolation scorer. He can put up points in a hurry, and he could be an instant offense type of player for NBA teams.Right now, he needs to improve his three-point shot, show that he can effectively run the point, and show that he can guard upper echelon players on a consistent basis, but Riller is a shot maker that could potentially make an NBA team’s roster at the next level.If you use any portion of this material, please credit
An NBA team would be wise to target him in this year's draft.
Riller is a legitimate three-level scorer, presenting a threat at the rim, from midrange, and beyond the arc. Why not try to get two needs in one?A guy like Charleston’s Grant Riller is a guy that comes to mind when it comes to this pick and this draft slot.
The Rookie Wire’s Bryan Kalbrosky put out a new mock draft …