A Scout’s Eyes: Evaluating Jonathan Pierre, Belmont’s Under the Radar Star Wing

Following in the footsteps of Ben Sheppard (2023), Dylan Windler (2019), and Joe Gaines (1972), could Jonathan Pierre become the fourth prospect ever drafted from Belmont?

I can't lie….I’m always drawn to the grit, grind, and development journey of late bloomers as they emerge on the NBA radar. In Belmont’s Jonathan Pierre, we have another captivating story of just that.

Out of Hillandale Magnet High School (just outside of Miami), Pierre began his high school career as a 5’10” guard. When his senior season arrived, he sprouted up to 6’2” before experiencing an insane five-inch growth spurt in the middle of the season that took him to 6'7". Pierre would later grow another two inches while in college, reaching his 6’9” listing at Belmont.

The late-blooming wing’s only collegiate scholarship offer was from Division II power Nova Southeastern, located in Fort Lauderdale, FL. Pierre would go on to play two seasons with Nova Southeastern, including helping guide the team to an undefeated national championship season in his final season. His play led to him transferring up to Memphis for a season before hitting the portal, mostly due to inconsistent playing time.

Pierre’s decision to transfer to Belmont for his senior season turned out to be the right move. He was selected to the 1st Team All Missouri Valley Conference (MVC) with averages of 13.8 PPG, 6.3 RPG, 3.5 APG, 0.8 SPG, and 0.4 SPG (1.2 stocks) while shooting at a 36.9% clip from beyond the arc (6.0 3PA). His breakout season in his last collegiate opportunity earned him an invite to the Portsmouth Invitational Tournament (PIT) and the NBA G League Elite Camp, where Pierre had the opportunity to impress a copious amount of NBA evaluators and decision makers at both events. What are the tools and skills that helped propel Pierre into the draft conversation, and will they translate?

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NBA-Ready Body

For any prospect, but especially ones from non-power schools, NBA positional size and length is crucial, and Pierre absolutely has it. At the PIT, he was officially measured at 6’9.25” with a 7'0.5” wingspan on a 215-pound frame. His favorable measurables back up the fact that he looks and moves like an NBA wing on film.

While getting my first in-person scout of Pierre during the PIT, his mature build stood out as well. His work in the weight room is evident. Pierre possesses broad shoulders with noticeably defined and cut arms and biceps. He isn't this freak physical specimen (maybe in terms of his exceptional growth spurt, he is), but he understands how to functionally utilize his strength on both ends of the floor. Based on his frame and work up to this point, I wouldn't be surprised if Pierre continues to easily add more muscle and strength with an NBA Strength and Conditioning Program.

Connective Passing and Playmaking

Pierre’s feel for connective passing and playmaking usually are the first NBA skills that pop when watching him. Because of his size, feel, and passing acumen, Pierre can thrive as an impactful secondary or tertiary playmaker while being a steady connective passer. He’s often looking to make the extra pass, look for hit-ahead opportunities, and can attack closeouts into drop-offs and kickouts to open teammates. He’ll even sprinkle in flashes of eye manipulation to throw defenders off to either create or hold an open passing lane.

Pierre absolutely LOVES the skip pass and truly may be the King of the Skip pass in this cycle. He fires accurate one-hand skips with either hand off a live dribble and out of the post, where he looks to take advantage of smaller/shorter defenders. He’ll be a real asset in keeping the ball flowing and finding good-to-great shots.

Pick-and-Roll Versatility

Perhaps sneakily, Pierre has shown some intriguing versatility as a pick-and-roll player. He can operate as the handler, looking to get to his scoring spots as a multi-level shotmaker or an effective playmaker that makes and executes the basic reads while being able to play in the pocket. According to Synergy, he’s ranked in the 87th percentile in points per possession as the pick-and roll handler.

Although it’s a small sample size (16 possessions), his work and upside as a pick-and-roll screener are fascinating. He connected on 46.2% of his threes (13 3PA) as the screener with real comfort popping out and setting his feet before firing away. Because of his feel and passing ability, NBA teams should consider getting Pierre some short roll reps as well, where he’s capable of hitting the mid-range jumper or making the right decision.

Three-Point Shooting Versatility

A career 36.8% three-point shooter (220 attempts, 4.2 3PA) across two Division One seasons, Pierre is a confident shooter with repeatable mechanics, a consistent shooting base, and valuable three-point shooting versatility. Whether it’s off movement (relocations, off ball screens, transition, etc.), spot-ups, or off the bounce, he brings a legit mix of shooting and shot-making ability that opposing teams must account for.

When you dive deeper into the numbers via Synergy, his shooting and shotmaking prowess crystallize a bit more. At Belmont, Pierre buried 37.8% of his catch-and-shoot threes (156 3PA), including 39.7% on unguarded attempts (58 3PA). Additionally, he shot 41.2% on transition threes (51 3PA), 41.7% on pick-and-roll threes as the ball handler (24 3PA), and 46.2% as the screener (13 3PA).

In Pierre’s final season at Nova Southeastern, where he helped guide the team to an undefeated national championship campaign, the versatile wing torched the nets at a 40% clip on 4.6 3PA. Pierre drained 40.2% of his catch-and-shoot threes, including 45.3% on unguarded attempts (64 3PA), 42.9% on handoffs (28 3PA), 41.7% on pick-and-roll handler threes (12 3PA), and 35% on transition threes (40 3PA). Simply put, the numbers and eye test prove that Pierre will be a trustworthy shooter out of different actions and play types, both on and off the ball.

Defensive Value

I’m not expecting Pierre to become a plus defender because of his lack of ideal lateral quickness and low stock numbers (1.2 stocks) in 27.8 minutes per game. However, I do believe there is a path to at least net-neutral defense with his tools and effort, as he primarily defends 3s and some 4s. Pierre can effectively leverage his length, quick hands, and strong frame to get stops on the ball and make plays in the passing lanes as a help defender.

Another aspect where Pierre adds defensive value is as a grab-and-go threat. Pulling down 5.3 defensive rebounds per game, Pierre rebounds in and out of his area with ability to go coast to coast for scoring and playmaking opportunities. Having his blend of size, length, and feel in transition will help put pressure on the defenses, play with pace and create easier scoring chances.

Outlook

I understand Pierre hasn't played much higher-level collegiate competition and only has one productive season on the Division I stage. I’m willing to bet on Pierre’s versatility and skillset as a pass-dribble-shoot wing with feel, positional size, and late blooming appeal to both compensate for and alleviate those concerns. If Pierre had an additional year of eligibility, I would fully expect him to be in the late first round conversations, whether it was back at Belmont or transferring back up to a Power Four program. He’s a definite Top 60 caliber prospect in this class who has the tools and skill set to be an impactful add on the margins.