From Sleeper to Breakout 2024: Darlinstone Dubar
From Sleeper to Breakout 2024: Darlinstone Dubar
The transfer wing is ready to wake up the SEC and entrench himself on NBA draft radars.
The Warm Up
Darlinstone Dubar, a former three-star recruit in the 2020 class, spent a post-graduate year at Scotland Campus Sports (Pennsylvania) before beginning his collegiate career at Iowa State. After competing in 16 games, including seven starts for the Cyclones as a freshman (14.4mpg) and a coaching change from Steve Prohm to TJ Otzelberger, Dubar transferred to Hofstra and became an integral cog in their success over the past three seasons.
In his final season at Hofstra, Dubar led the team in rebounding and blocks while finishing second in scoring en route to receiving Second Team All Coastal Athletic Conference (CAA) honors. His standout tenure with the Pride attracted multiple power four suitors upon his graduation and entrance into the transfer portal. The North Carolina native ultimately chose Tennessee, becoming the first of four incoming transfers (Igor Milicic Jr., Chaz Lanier, and Felix Okpara) to commit to Rick Barnes and the Vols. This season, Darlinstone Dubar appears set to go from sleeper to breakout NBA prospect.
2023-2024 Stats: 17.8ppg | 6.8rpg | 1.4apg| 1.2spg | 0.9bpg
2023-2024 Shooting Stats: 53% FG | 39% 3P (5.5 3PA) | 73% FT (2.8 FTA)
Offensive Appeal
Dubar, listed at 6’8” and 211 pounds with long arms and broad shoulders, brings a highly coveted pairing of NBA positional size and 3-point shooting alongside a translatable off-ball game. He can hit threes off movement, on catch-and-shoots, and on spot-ups (90th percentile, according to Synergy).
There is understandably some skepticism about his three-point shooting viability because of his mechanics (he often brings the ball left to right to shoot instead of going directly up on his right side), but I’m not in that camp. I’m trusting his shooting confidence and production. Just check out some of his numbers:
40.1% on spot-up threes (137 3PA)
40.3% on catch-and-shoot threes in the halfcourt (149 3PA)
41.2% on unguarded catch-and-shoot threes in the halfcourt (51 3PA)
39.8% on guarded catch-and-shoot threes in the halfcourt (98 3PA)
Career 38% 3-point shooter (409 3PA)
Dubar parlays his shooting gravity into productive closeout attacks, either getting all the way to the rim where he shot 75% in the halfcourt or getting to the pull-up, which includes nifty push shots/floaters and sneaky touch that can become a weapon against NBA bigs.
Furthering his off-ball capabilities, he’s an effective cutter that’s demonstrated a feel for timing and finding open spaces. That feel for getting into open spaces paired with a solid motor shows up in transition too as an impactful floor running finisher.
Dubar’s 1.6 offensive rebounds per game isn't an enormous number, but it’s a notable mark for a wing that’s going to be asked to do “role player things” at the next level. There is legit value in both his production and activity on the offensive glass. He’s someone opposing teams will have to put a body on, or he’ll rebound in traffic and chase down rebounds in and out of his area. Don't be surprised to see him grab offensive and defensive rebounds in critical situations for Tennessee throughout the season.
Defensive Appeal
Equipped with NBA size and intriguing defensive tools, Dubar has the ingredients of a valuable switchable wing and defensive playmaker. He leverages a mix of length (likely a plus wingspan), strength, and active hands to produce stops on the ball and to be disruptive as a help defender (2.1 stocks per game).
At Hofstra, the two-way wing often defended 2-4 with some occasional time as a point-of-attack defender. I’m expecting a similar deployment with Tennessee, which will provide him ample opportunities to put together good defensive film in the SEC while continuing to develop under the tutelage and defensive culture of head coach Rick Barnes.
Three Areas to Monitor
Defensive Versatility. How many positions can Dubar truly defend on the NBA level? His move to the SEC, arguably the best conference in basketball, should help evaluators paint a clearer picture of his defensive prowess and upside as he battles other NBA talent and high-level competition on a daily basis.
Pick-and-Roll Play. Last season, Dubar only had 26 pick-and-roll possessions, 18 as the screener and eight as the ball-handler. I would love to see those numbers grow significantly this season to figure out if there is any untapped potential that could add to his three-point shooting diversity (pull-up threes, pick-and-pops) and offensive implementation. He’s shown glimpses that are worth exploring for Tennessee.
Self-Creation. Is there any self-creation upside to pair with his off-ball capabilities? He shines operating off the ball, but has moments of creative on-ball scoring and direct line slashes that make you wonder if there is more to his game. If there is, it will significantly raise his NBA ceiling.
A major aspect of Dubar’s self-creation profile is the post-up. He loves to utilize his size and strength to post up similar-sized or smaller defenders before shooting over the top with a pull-up or jump hook. Will this continue with success in the SEC and subsequently, in the NBA?
Outlook
Dubar is a 3-and-D wing with NBA size and translatable role player qualities. His performances against bigger conference opponents last season with Hofstra, highlighted by 24 points and eight rebounds (7-11 3PA) against Duke and 23 points and five rebounds (2-6 3PA) against St. John's are very encouraging indicators that he will produce in the SEC. If that comes to fruition, Dubar should hear his name called on draft night.