Ben McLemore
Position: SG
Hgt: 6'5"
Wgt: 195
Age: 20
Number: 17
Nickname: N/A
College: Kansas
Yrs with Team: 0
Yrs in League: 0
Previous Teams: N/A
How Acquired: first rnd pick (#7 overall) 2013
Contract: 2013-14 $2.9mil; 2014-15 $3.0mil; 2015-16 $3.2mil (team option); 2015-16 $4.0mil (team option)
Strengths: shooting, athleticism
Weaknesses: ballhandling
Offense (Scoring & Passing)
Based on the limited and not always applicable college & summer league evidence, projects as an elite distance shooter with excellent form and the ability to square up and get the shot off quickly. Extremely run-jump athletic and should provide a number of highlight reel dunks and alley oops on the break. In summer league a serious weakness with his ballhandling was exposed, and it seems unlikely he is going to be able to create much offense for himself at this stage of his career, and is going to be prone to turnovers if he handles the ball extensively. Showed on and off competence with off the ball movement though, and if he can sustain the energy it takes to do that may be able to free himself for shots with a little help from his friends. Again based on limited summer league evidence, it looked like the NBA three might be a little outside his comfort zone as a shooter, but did have several explosive bursts that showed scoring potential if he gets into a groove. Despite amazingly not notching a single assist in the entire summer league fortnight, looked to be a willing passer given the right situation, just one who because of the ballhandling issues is more likely to make the stationary pass at this stage.
Defense & Rebounding
Has been chatter about his defensive potential based on his athletic traits, but during summer league we didn't see much of it. Seemed to get lost in space out there at times, and didn't widen out and take away driving lanes. Lateral quickness may not be at the level of his vertical explosiveness, and lateral quickness is the much more important defensive trait on the perimeter. Was about as far from disruptive as you could get, but summer league isn't a place you see a lot of lockdown defense being played. All very preliminary of course. Athleticism could make him an effective guard rebounder.
Intangibles
Comes from a tough background, and has a bit of a spotty academic past, but rep is as a nice kid who may be too nice on the court, and not always as aggressive as his talent demands.
Stats 12-13 (college): 32.2min 15.9pts (.495 FG% .420 3pt% .870 FT%) 5.2reb 2.0ast 1.0stl 0.7blk 2.1TO
Stats Career (summer league): 30.0min 15.8pts (.333 FG% .194 3pt% .741 FT%) 5.0reb 0.0ast 0.6stl 0.4blk 3.6TO
NBA.com profile
Position: SG
Hgt: 6'5"
Wgt: 195
Age: 20
Number: 17
Nickname: N/A
College: Kansas
Yrs with Team: 0
Yrs in League: 0
Previous Teams: N/A
How Acquired: first rnd pick (#7 overall) 2013
Contract: 2013-14 $2.9mil; 2014-15 $3.0mil; 2015-16 $3.2mil (team option); 2015-16 $4.0mil (team option)
Strengths: shooting, athleticism
Weaknesses: ballhandling
Offense (Scoring & Passing)
Based on the limited and not always applicable college & summer league evidence, projects as an elite distance shooter with excellent form and the ability to square up and get the shot off quickly. Extremely run-jump athletic and should provide a number of highlight reel dunks and alley oops on the break. In summer league a serious weakness with his ballhandling was exposed, and it seems unlikely he is going to be able to create much offense for himself at this stage of his career, and is going to be prone to turnovers if he handles the ball extensively. Showed on and off competence with off the ball movement though, and if he can sustain the energy it takes to do that may be able to free himself for shots with a little help from his friends. Again based on limited summer league evidence, it looked like the NBA three might be a little outside his comfort zone as a shooter, but did have several explosive bursts that showed scoring potential if he gets into a groove. Despite amazingly not notching a single assist in the entire summer league fortnight, looked to be a willing passer given the right situation, just one who because of the ballhandling issues is more likely to make the stationary pass at this stage.
Defense & Rebounding
Has been chatter about his defensive potential based on his athletic traits, but during summer league we didn't see much of it. Seemed to get lost in space out there at times, and didn't widen out and take away driving lanes. Lateral quickness may not be at the level of his vertical explosiveness, and lateral quickness is the much more important defensive trait on the perimeter. Was about as far from disruptive as you could get, but summer league isn't a place you see a lot of lockdown defense being played. All very preliminary of course. Athleticism could make him an effective guard rebounder.
Intangibles
Comes from a tough background, and has a bit of a spotty academic past, but rep is as a nice kid who may be too nice on the court, and not always as aggressive as his talent demands.
Stats 12-13 (college): 32.2min 15.9pts (.495 FG% .420 3pt% .870 FT%) 5.2reb 2.0ast 1.0stl 0.7blk 2.1TO
Stats Career (summer league): 30.0min 15.8pts (.333 FG% .194 3pt% .741 FT%) 5.0reb 0.0ast 0.6stl 0.4blk 3.6TO
NBA.com profile
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