No Stone Unturned 2024: The Wings, Part 3

Maxwell examines five under-the-radar wings with NBA potential. PLUS: Insights from George Washington Head Coach Chris Caputo!

Welcome to the latest installment of No Stone Unturned 2024! In this series of articles, I will be digging into players at different positions who are flying under the radar but warrant attention. For my methodology, I started by seeking out players with interesting statistical profiles or players who had popped on film for me this past season. From there, I compiled a list, worked my way through the film and data, then chose my favorites. I excluded prospects who have received rankings on mainstream Top 100 lists and early mock drafts or received an NBA Combine/G League Elite Camp invite. I’m looking for deeper cuts who aren’t receiving much love yet but still have a real crack at making a mark in the draft space. Today, we are looking at our third of three wing groups.

Before we get down to business, make sure you’re following me on Twitter/X here! Also, if you missed the first two installments of the series, you can find the big men here, the first wing group here, and the second wing group here. Now, let’s dig in!

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Joshua Jefferson, 6’8”, Iowa State, Junior

2023-2024 Season Stats (at Saint Mary’s): 10.6 PPG, 6.5 RPG, 2.3 APG, 1.5 TOV, 1.2 SPG, 0.4 BPG

2023-2024 Shooting Splits: 46.9/26.7/73.1

Signature Performance: vs. Colorado State. 16 points, 13 rebounds, one assist, one steal, one block. 7-13 FG, 2-5 3FG, 0-1FT.

Tough Test(s) (games against Quad-1 Competition):

-vs. New Mexico. Six points, two rebounds, one assist, one turnover, four steals, one block. 2-3 FG, 0-1 3FG, 2-4 FT.
-vs. San Diego State. 12 points, five rebounds, four assists, three turnovers, one steal, one block. 5-11 FG, 0-4 3FG, 2-2 FT.
-vs. Boise State. Six points, four rebounds, two turnovers. 2-5 FG, 0-1 3FG, 2-2 FT.
vs. Colorado State. 16 points, 13 rebounds, one assist, one steal, one block. 7-13 FG, 2-5 3FG, 0-1FT.
-vs. San Francisco. 21 points, 10 rebounds, one assist, two turnovers, one steal. 8-14 FG, 4-5 3FG, 1-2 FT.
-vs. Gonzaga. 16 points, 11 rebounds, four assists, one turnover. 7-14 FG, 1-3 3FG, 1-1 FT.

Reminds me a little bit of: Boris Diaw, DeMarre Carroll, Herb Jones

Background

Joshua Jefferson played high school ball at Liberty High School in Henderson, Nevada. In 2022, he led the school to their first ever state title, toppling powerhouse Bishop Gorman in the finals. He competed on the Adidas circuit for Dream Vision 17U, playing alongside the likes of Milos Uzan, Yohan Traore, and Koren Johnson. Jefferson received offers from the likes of Creighton, Texas A&M, Utah State, UNLV, Pepperdine, Ball State, and Portland, but he ultimately decided on Saint Mary’s.

His freshman campaign was a quiet one. Jefferson played 8.1 MPG but was rock solid in the minutes he received. As a sophomore, he took a big step forward and earned a bigger role for the Gaels. He was hitting his stride in conference play before a knee injury ended his season. Jefferson hit the transfer portal in late March, and a month later, he committed to Iowa State.

What’s Good

Joshua Jefferson brings a sublime combination of size, strength, savvy, and skill to the table. His value begins on the defensive side of the floor. He’s a truly transformative defender. Saint Mary’s allowed 10.3 fewer points per 100 possessions when Jefferson was on the floor, according to Hoop-Explorer. Per BartTorvik, Jefferson’s DBPM of 4.6 ranked 13th in the country. His impact is inescapable, and it’s because Jefferson is impactful both on and off the ball.

Opponents struggle mightily when trying to create advantages against Jefferson. At 6’8” and 220 pounds, he’s both strong and long. Bigger players are unable to bully him, and smaller attackers often find themselves swallowed up by his physicality. He slides his feet well and boasts a fundamentally sound defensive stance. He rarely crosses his feet and does a great job of staying in front of opponents. His reactivity is impressive, too. Jefferson holds up well against counter moves and changes directions seamlessly, further bolstering his on-ball prowess.

He’s an excellent team defender, too. His career steal and block rates of 3.3 and 1.8 show that he can be a disruptive force. Jefferson’s mental acuity, attentiveness, and motor pair wonderfully with his physical gifts. He has sharp recognition skills. He knows where he’s supposed to go rotationally, and he also has the foot speed to get there quickly. When opponents start to get the advantage dominos falling, Jefferson often brings things to a halt thanks to his closeouts, help, and playmaking. He’s all over the glass, too, posting a 24.1 DRB% last season. It’s hard for offenses to get anything productive going when Jefferson is flying around and stifling everything all the time.

There’s a lot to like on offense, too. Jefferson is a fantastic passer for his size. His 17.5 AST% is a great mark for a forward prospect and he was third on the team in APG. He has an advanced understanding of how to read the defense. Even better, Jefferson is a gifted passer who can execute difficult, creative deliveries. At times, he’ll palm the ball like a water polo player before whipping it across the court right into the pocket of an open shooter. Even when his reads don’t lead to an assist or even a hockey assist, he’s able to get the defense scrambling and rotating. His ball skills extend to his dribble game, as Jefferson displays comfort putting it on the deck and creating for himself at times. His strength, length, and timing enable him to rack up offensive boards (7.3 ORB%) and finish efficiently (62.5% on halfcourt rim attempts, per Synergy).

What Needs Improvement

The biggest thing holding back Joshua Jefferson is his jump shot. He launched 5.8 threes per 100 possessions, which is a solid mark for a forward prospect. Unfortunately, the efficiency lagged behind, as Jefferson converted only 26.7% of his triples. Often, his feet won’t be aligned with the basket. The ball tracks up the left side of his body despite the fact that he’s a right-handed shooter. Without a reliable jump shot, his offensive projection becomes murkier. It makes him a more fit-dependent prospect and takes away from his team’s lineup flexibility. While his high level of skill and size help compensate, a jumper would take him from being an interesting prospect to a can’t-miss prospect.

Conclusion

As Joshua Jefferson embarks on a new journey at Iowa State, a new set of challenges will face him. He’ll have to rebound from a serious injury. He’ll face bigger, more athletic opponents more consistently. He’ll also be joining an established, talented roster, and he’ll need to carve out a spot within that hierarchy. Front offices are going to want to see progress with regard to his jumper. From here on out, nothing is going to get easier.

Still, Jefferson is the exact type of bet I like to make. He has NBA physical dimensions and an NBA brain. He’s a well-rounded producer who defends, rebounds, and creates for others. Jefferson also scored efficiently down the stretch. During conference play, he averaged 11.3 PPG on 54.9/40.9/71.4 splits and had some great games against tough opponents. He’s already a versatile defender and hyper-intelligent passer. If the scoring and shooting come along, there will be little to quibble with. Jefferson has the potential to fit into one of the most valuable archetypes in the modern NBA—a do-it-all forward with excellent positional size. For that reason, there is first round upside here. My gut says to view him as more of a 2026 proposition as he acclimates to a new environment this year, but we should all be prepared for the possibility of a 2025 breakout campaign.

Frankie Fidler, 6’7”, Michigan State, Senior

2023-2024 Season Stats (at Omaha): 20.1 PPG, 6.3 RPG, 2.6 APG, 1.6 TOV, 1.2 SPG, 0.4 BPG

2023-2024 Shooting Splits: 45.2/35.6/85.4

Signature Performance: vs. Denver. 32 points, three rebounds, two assists, four steals. 9-15 FG, 3-7 3FG, 11-13 FT.

Tough Test(s) (games against Quad-1 Competition):

-vs. TCU. 20 points, seven rebounds, two assists. 7-15 FG, 3-6 3FG, 3-5 FT.
-vs. Texas Tech. 12 points, three rebounds, two assists, three turnovers, one steal. 5-11 FG, 1-4 3FG, 1-1 FT.

Reminds me a little bit of: Caleb Martin, Malcolm Brogdon, Damion Lee

Background

Frankie Fidler played high school ball at Bellevue West in Nebraska. He led the team to a Class A state championship as a junior, and he was a First-team All-Nebraska honoree as a senior. Fidler played alongside former Wisconsin/current Louisville guard Chucky Hepburn for Team Factory on the Under Armour circuit. He was an under-the-radar recruit, with the only two D-I offers I’ve been able to find coming from UC-Santa Barbara and Omaha, the latter of which he would attend.

During his three years at Omaha, Fidler was crucial in helping turn around the Maverick’s program. They improved from five wins to nine wins to fifteen wins during Fidler’s tenure, slowly crawling out of the Summit League cellar. As a junior, Fidler earned First Team All-Summit League honors. After the conclusion of the season, Fidler entered the transfer portal and generated significant interest from many top Division-I programs. He ended up enrolling at Michigan State, where he has one season of eligibility remaining.

What’s Good

Frankie Fidler is a hooper. He can create his own shot at all three levels of the floor. Fidler operates out of ball screens exceptionally well, ranking in the 90th percentile as a pick-and-roll scorer, per Synergy. He manipulates picks effectively, rejecting, reusing, and even splitting them to keep defenders off balance. Because he hit 33.3% of his pull-up threes running ball screens, opponents have to play tight on Fidler. He’s good at getting to his spots in the mid-range, where his high release allows him to hit tough shots late in the clock when needed. His deep bag of counters, spin moves, and speed changes help him get to the rim consistently, too. Even better, Fidler converted 61.8% of his halfcourt shots at the basket, per Synergy. He gets up easily at the cup while possessing the size and touch to convert through contact. Fidler gets to the line a lot, too (7.7 FTAs/game, .578 Free Throw Rate). Add in that he’s a career 85.9% shooter at the charity stripe, and that’s one more way for him to add to the scoreboard.

What makes Filder all the more appealing is that while he can go get a bucket anywhere on the court, he’s legitimately a team player. He’s a reliable, low-mistake distributor who carries himself with a great deal of poise. Fidler stays calm and under control when blitzed and doubled. He always keeps his eyes up when going downhill, and he’s displayed some fascinating creativity as a passer. Perhaps most appealing for his NBA translation, though, is that he can make effective “.5” decisions and throws his passes with accuracy. In combination, these traits allowed Fidler to post a 15.4 AST%. Perhaps more impressively, despite carrying a hefty offensive workload that led to a 26.9 USG%, Fidler’s TOV% was only 8.8, an exceptionally low number. And while he was on the ball a lot, I like him off the ball, too. He can move into his three-ball well (42.5% on transition threes, 38.5% on threes off screens), and he knows when to cut. Fidler ranked in Synergy’s 88th percentile as a spot-up player, as he can knock down a jumper or attack a closeout effectively.

Fidler’s intelligence shines through on the defensive end. He knows where to be off the ball and pounces when he sees an opportunity to make plays. He’s a fluid mover, going seamlessly from helping at the nail to closing out on a shooter. He’ll occasionally soar for a big block. On ball, he uses his strength well and rarely finds himself overpowered. He’s long and strong enough to keep opponents out of the paint. His stance is fundamentally sound, and he doesn’t get beat by reaching or getting over-antsy. His timing for strips while avoiding fouling, both on and off the ball, stands out as impressive. While his playmaking metrics don’t fly off the page (career 1.9 STL%, 1.4 BLK%), he doesn’t make frustrating mistakes.

What Needs Improvement

Fidler is in a bit of a “jack of all trades, master of none” predicament. He’s a functional three-point shooter, but a career 35.4% on 5.9 attempts per 100 possessions doesn’t generate significant excitement. His offensive role is going to look different at the next level, and he’d be a cleaner projection if he was a more willing and consistent bomber from distance. Given his movement shooting prowess, release speed, and free throw percentage, I do think he’s capable of reaching that point. Defensively, there are some shortcomings. His lateral footspeed can be concerning at times, and he’s not the fastest when he has to cover large swaths of ground. Given that he had a hefty usage rate and moved off the ball consistently on offense, I’m hoping to see more from Fidler on this front as he scales up to the high-major level and sees a smaller creation burden.

Conclusion

I find myself going back and forth on Fidler. On one hand, he’s a run-of-the-mill athlete by NBA standards. He’s a solid shooter but not a great one, and he has work to do on the defensive end. I don’t know how Tom Izzo is going to feel about the latter. Conversely, the guy can really play. He’s got real size, and he plays with an intriguing blend of craft and physicality. Even in games against the likes of TCU and Texas Tech, Fidler still found ways to get to his spots. He’s a smart decision-maker who will come into the league ahead of most rookies when it comes to mental processing. The things he’s good at (spotting up, attacking closeouts, moving without the ball, running some pick-and-roll) all reek of NBA functionality. His hefty usage rate, paired with a knack for hitting threes off movement, gives me real optimism about what he might look like when he doesn’t have so much on his plate.

His move to Michigan State will be an interesting one. The Spartans return a lot of talent, but they lost their top three scorers this past season. Outside of Coen Carr, most of their returners are concentrated in the guard and big spots. They don’t have anyone who has yet to invoke a sense of fear as both a scorer and passer at the college level. In theory, this should give Fidler a runway to take on a large role. Really, it’s a perfect storm if they can be patient with him defensively. There’s breakout potential here. Fidler will slot inside the Top 75 mark on my board to start the year, but he has a chance to climb in a big way if he takes strides as a shooter and defender.

Darren Buchanan Jr., 6’7”, George Washington, Redshirt Sophomore

2023-2024 Season Stats: 15.6 PPG, 6.6 RPG, 2.4 APG, 2.2 TOV, 1.3 SPG, 0.4 BPG

2023-2024 Shooting Splits: 54.6/32.3/63.4

Signature Performance: vs. George Mason. 21 points, nine rebounds, three assists, one steal, one block. 9-13 FG, 2-2 3FG, 1-1 FT.

Tough Test(s) (games against Quad-1 Competition):

-vs. South Carolina. 18 points, six rebounds, two assists, four turnovers. 6-11 FG, 1-1 3FG, 5-6 FT.
-vs. VCU. Nine points, four rebounds, two assists, two steals, four turnovers. 3-8 FG, 0-1 3FG, 3-6 FT.
-vs. Dayton. 13 points, eight rebounds, two assists, three turnovers. 5-8 FG, 3-4 FT.

Reminds me a little bit of: Dorian Finney-Smith, Al-Farouq Aminu, Jordan Miller

Background

Darren Buchanan Jr. built a strong reputation for himself prior to college. He played high school ball at Jackson-Reed High School (then known as Woodrow Wilson High School) in Washington D.C. The team won two DCIAA Championships during his tenure there. In 2022, he was named the D.C. Gatorade Player of the Year. He also played grassroots ball alongside Dariq Whitehead and Judah Mintz for Team Durant on the EYBL circuit. Buchanan was labeled as a three-star prospect by 247Sports. He received offers from high-major programs such as Xavier, Seton Hall, and Rutgers before enrolling at Virginia Tech.

Buchanan redshirted during his first and only year with the Hokies. He entered the transfer portal after the season concluded. He once again received interest from high major programs but would opt to attend George Washington. During his redshirt freshman campaign, Buchanan solidified himself as a building block for the program. He stuffed the stat sheet and earned A-10 All-Freshman Team honors. He’ll be returning to the Revolutionaries for his sophomore campaign.

What’s Good

“He lives in the paint,” George Washington Head Coach Chris Caputo told me during a phone call, “He’s an excellent mismatch player. He played the whole year as a 19-year-old, but he was always in the paint and getting fouled at the rim.” Coach Caputo is right—67.5% of Darren Buchanan Jr.’s shots in the halfcourt came at the rim, per Synergy. His handle, first step, and exceptional power (he’s listed at 235 pounds) help him to reliably collapse the defense. Even better, Buchanan gets the job done at cup. He converted an outstanding 62.3% of his halfcourt rim attempts, per Synergy. Typically, there’s a tradeoff between volume and efficiency, but not here. While Buchanan shoots right-handed, he’s comfortable finishing with either hand inside. His ability to elevate off one foot minimizes the amount of time a defense has to recover, which allows him to get clean looks consistently. His strong frame enables him to rise and stay coordinated against contact, too. Speaking of contact, Buchanan fully embraces it. His hard-nosed play style saw him get to the free throw line 6.7 times per game, leading to an elite free throw rate of .662.

When Buchanan gets downhill, good things happen. He can score at the basket, get high-efficiency looks at the free throw line, and force opponents into foul trouble. But best of all, Buchanan can pass, too. He posted a positive assist-to-turnover mark as a high-usage freshman wing to go along with a 16.7 AST%. “It was hard to predict that he was going to do that,” Coach Caputo noted. “We started to see it in the summer. I wasn’t starting him earlier in the year, but so many good things would happen with the ball in his hands…It creates some opportunities for us to be creative with our group and put opponents in tough predicaments.” Buchanan can make the simple reads quickly to punish help. Most enticing, though, are Buchanan’s feeds to cutters who find holes in the defense. These improvisational, sharp, accurate dishes differentiate him from other forward prospects. He’s not just a bully, he’s skilled.

Buchanan can bring the goods defensively, too. He’s particularly intriguing on the ball. He can really sit down in his chair, and he moves quite well laterally. Given his length, that makes getting around him an arduous task. Throw in the fact that he’s built like a linebacker, and going through him isn’t much of an option either. “He’s an engaged on the ball defender, especially against guys we think are really good players. We’re going to really challenge him to take the toughest match ups, and we think he has the ability to do it,” Coach Caputo said. That positional versatility bodes well for an eventual NBA translation. Off the ball, he’s shown some flashes as a help defender. When he makes rotations to the rim, he holds up well vertically thanks to his strong upper body. He also rebounded the ball well, posting a 16.4 DRB%.

What Needs Improvement

While Buchanan’s 32.3% from deep wasn’t a bad number for a freshman forward, I’m still not sold on him as a shooter. He only took 2.0 threes per 100 possessions, an exceptionally low number for a wing prospect. He can be tentative from deep, and his mechanics are a bit robotic currently. Unless he can improve his shot diet over time, an NBA role becomes more difficult to project. “We spent all of last year working to retool his shot. While he didn’t shoot a ton of threes, those things take some time,” Coach Caputo remarked. His shot has been a developmental focal point this off-season, and I’m hoping to see progress there.

Two other things I’d like to see are a reduction in turnovers and more consistent off-ball defense. Buchanan can play too sped up with the ball offensively at times, leading to mistakes. On the defensive end, I’d like to see him more active as a help defender and playmaker.

Conclusion

Darren Buchanan Jr. had an outstanding freshman campaign. A lot of players may have folded in the face of taking a redshirt and transferring, but Buchanan looked better than ever. Are there still some holes in his game? Absolutely. In order to get to the NBA, he’ll have to become a more willing and reliable three-point shooter. But with three years of eligibility remaining, Buchanan has time on his side. His head appears to be in the right place, too. “He’s got a great personality. He looks like a man but was the youngest guy on the team. He has an effervescent personality and can be a real energizer for us,” Coach Caputo remarked.

Buchanan has a lot working in his favor on the court, too. He’s skilled and strong enough to get to the rim on a consistent basis. He’s an awesome, ambidextrous finisher. He’s a selfless operator who can really pass the ball at a time when ball skills are required of everyone on an NBA floor. He’s built like a pro, and he guards the ball like one, too. It can be easy to get caught up in what a young player can’t do yet, but Darren Buchanan Jr. is already doing some of the important stuff really well. It’s only a matter of time before he works his way onto NBA radars.

Tucker Anderson, 6’9”, Utah State, Sophomore

2023-2024 Season Stats (at Central Arkansas): 14.5 PPG, 3.7 RPG, 1.5 APG, 1.2 TOV, 0.9 SPG, 0.5 BPG

2023-2024 Shooting Splits: 41.5/38.1/81.3

Signature Performance: vs. Eastern Illinois. 22 points, five rebounds, five assists, one steal. 8-13 FG, 6-10 3FG.

Tough Test(s) (games against Quad-1 Competition):

-vs. Kansas State. 13 points, two rebounds, two assists, two turnovers, one steal. 4-15 FG, 1-8 3FG, 4-5 FT.
-vs. Oklahoma. Six points, four rebounds, two assists, three turnovers, two steals. 2-11 FG, 1-7 3FG, 1-2 FT.

Reminds me a little bit of: Cam Johnson, Duncan Robinson, Davis Bertans

Background

Tucker Anderson comes from a basketball family. His mother, Sheila, won two national titles at Tennessee under the tutelage of Pat Summitt. Tucker played at Bentonville West High School in Arkansas, where he was named to the 6A West All-State team on two separate occasions. He also competed for AAOFlight on the Under Armour Rise circuit. Anderson received Division-I offers from Sacramento State and Morehead State, but he ended up staying in-state and committing to Central Arkansas.

Anderson quickly earned a starting spot. He led the Bears in scoring and won the Atlantic Sun Freshman of the Year Award. Following the conclusion of the season, UCA moved on from Head Coach Anthony Boone, and Tucker Anderson entered the portal soon after. He received interest from a number of high-major programs before enrolling at Utah State.

What’s Good

Tucker Anderson is an exceptional shooter for his age and size. He drained 38.1% of his threes on 11.7 attempts per 100 possessions last season. That combination of volume and efficiency is rare for a tall freshman. He’s also comfortable launching from deep behind the college line, and he’s unbothered by hard closeouts. Per Synergy, 118 of his 174 catch-and-shoot threes were guarded, and he still drilled 40.7% of them. His mechanics are consistent across his attempts, boasting a balanced base, clean energy transfer, and speedy release. He’s always prepared off the catch, displaying polished shot prep footwork and some bend in his knees prior to receiving the ball. Better yet, Anderson isn’t a “standstill only” shooter. He went 14-for-31 on transition threes, 3-for-9 on threes as a pick-and-roll ball handler, and 4-for-9 on threes coming off screens. The movement upside Anderson possesses at 6’9” makes him all the more intriguing.

There are some nascent creation traits here, too. For starters, Anderson never sits on the ball too long and reliably keeps the flow of the offense going. He’s a trustworthy decision-maker. The sell here, though, is that Anderson occasionally does some really impressive stuff off the dribble. He does a great job of keeping his dribble low and tight to his body when he puts it on the deck. He’s shown an ability to string together dribble moves and counters to shake defenders and create his own shot.

His size goes a long way on defense as well. His length helps him to keep opponents out of the paint. Anderson changes directions well at the point of attack, too. Even when he gets beat, he’s able to stay in the play because of his wingspan and willingness to give a second effort. When opponents find themselves stranded in the mid-range against Anderson, he’s tough to shoot over. Off the ball, he’s tuned in to the action. He visibly communicates with his teammates and points things out.

What Needs Improvement

Generally speaking, Anderson needs to round out his production. He’s a great outside shooter, but he’s more limited inside the arc. It’s tough for him to get to the rim, as he’s got a subpar first step. Even trickier, he’s skinny and easy to bump off his line. As a result, he’s forced to settle for mid-range pull-ups rather than getting clean looks at the basket when run off the line. His lack of strength betrays him defensively, too, as opponents drive through him and bounce him around. I’d also like to see him be a bit less rigid laterally. His steal and block rates (1.6% and 1.7%, respectively) are below average in part because he’s simply not that toolsy. Lastly, I need to see more out of Anderson on the glass as he fills out his frame. His 2.9 ORB% and 10.4 DRB% are guard numbers and partially negate the value proposition of him as a jumbo floor spacer.

Conclusion

Tucker Anderson is far from being a complete prospect. He doesn’t offer much on the glass, he doesn’t put up counting numbers on defense, and he struggles inside the arc. The value of “pure spot-up” players has decreased in recent years. But for now, this is okay! He’s got three years before he has to play professional basketball. What matters is that Anderson has height you can’t teach, a signature skill to hang his hat on, and the ability to process the game. I’d be far more concerned about his strength if he was older, but he’s got time. If Anderson fills out his frame, it should be easier for him to actualize his upside as a more complete offensive player. Additionally, it will help him to contain opponents defensively and become a bigger presence on the glass. I’m willing to bet on him making those strides. He’s joining a talented Utah State team, so it’s important to stay patient as he scales up in competition. Still, I think Anderson will work himself into the NBA conversation before it’s all said and done.

Ndewedo Newbury, 6’7”, San Francisco, Senior

2023-2024 Season Stats: 9.4 PPG, 3.7 RPG, 1.7 APG, 1.7 TOV, 0.8 SPG, 1.1 BPG

2023-2024 Shooting Splits: 52.6/40.0/76.6

Signature Performance: vs. Portland. 22 points, nine rebounds, two assists, three steals, three blocks. 8-12 FG, 3-6 3FG, 3-4 FT.

Tough Test(s) (games against Quad-1 Competition):

-vs. Boise State. 11 points, six rebounds, one assist, three blocks. 3-7 FG, 2-4 3FG, 3-4 FT.
-vs. Grand Canyon. Five points, six rebounds, one assist, one steal. 2-5 FG, 1-1 3FG.
-vs. Utah State. Eight points, three rebounds, four turnovers, one steal, one block. 3-6 FG, 2-4 3FG.
-vs. Saint Mary’s. Seven points, one rebound, one assist, one turnover, one block. 3-7 FG, 0-3 3FG, 1-1 FT.
-vs. Gonzaga. 16 points, six rebounds, two assists, two turnovers, two blocks. 6-13 FG, 2-6 3FG, 2-3 FT.
-vs. Saint Mary’s. Three points, four rebounds, two assists. 1-2 FG, 1-1 3FG.
-vs. Gonzaga. Two points, three rebounds, one turnover. 1-8 FG, 0-5 3FG.
-vs. Gonzaga. Eight points, four rebounds, one assist, one turnover, one block. 2-8 FG, 2-6 3FG, 2-2.
-vs. Cincinnati. 13 points, seven rebounds, three assists, two turnovers, one steal, two blocks. 6-12 FG, 1-5 3FG, 0-1 FT.

Reminds me a little bit of: Torrey Craig, Keita Bates-Diop, Kessler Edwards

Background

Ndewedo Newbury hails from London, England. He made waves over there, playing at Haringey College and The Loomis Chaffee School. Newbury earned an invitation to The Deng Camp, an event organized by Loul Deng where the best prospects in the United Kingdom under the age of 19 compete against each other. He committed to San Francisco for college. As a freshman, he rarely saw the floor, playing 23 total minutes across eleven games. He didn’t play much early on as a sophomore, either, but he ended up carving out a starting spot late in the year. As a junior, Newbury took massive strides and ended up earning an All-WCC Honorable Mention. He’ll be returning to the Dons for his senior year.

What’s Good

Newbury took a big step forward as a shooter last season. As a sophomore, he launched only 3.0 threes per 100 possessions and made a meager 25% of them. This past year, he hit 40% of his threes on 7.0 attempts per 100 possessions. That’s not even a function of defenses ignoring him, as a majority of his catch-and-shoot looks were contested. Newbury is a threat when spotting up. He’s also a devastating screener who went 11-for-19 on his pick-and-pop threes this past season.

He can attack the basket, too. At 235 pounds, Newbury is a strong downhill driver. He can use his body to displace defenders when he has to fight to the cup. Newbury isn’t just a reckless attacker, though—he has a few dribble counters at his disposal, and he does a good job of utilizing pump fakes to beat the last line of defense. He’s also effective as a cutter and has the bounce to act as a lob target. This driving and cutting prowess enabled Newbury to make 74.6% of his halfcourt rim attempts, making him one of the more dangerous outside-in scorers in college hoops. Newbury’s spot-up play is accentuated by his ability to make quick, simple decisions when driving and kicking. He’s taken big strides on that front, going from a 1.0-to-1.9 A:TO to 1.7-to-1.7 as his usage increased last season.

Newbury is a handful on defense. He’s quick-footed, enabling him to contain the ball when smaller opponents test him on an island. Add in his strong frame, and he’s tough to beat. Even bigger fours and traditional fives can struggle to push him backward. Off the ball, he operates with a real level of attentiveness. He’s ready to act off the ball and knows where to be rotationally. He covers ground well and gets where he needs to be in a timely manner. His balance enables him to shift directions quickly. Newbury also has serious bounce. That lift, paired with his readiness to help and the rim and ability to stay vertical, led to him posting an impressive 5.2 BLK% this past season.

What Needs Improvement

Purely from an NBA standpoint, the task at hand for Ndewedo Newbury is going to be showing that he’s more than just an effective college role player. Seniors who score less than 10 PPG don’t tend to be the hottest commodities. Teams will want to see him shoulder more usage, continue to turn the ball over less, and develop more of an in-between scoring game. He can get a little out of control when operating at higher speeds. I’d also like to see more from Newbury on the glass. His rebounding statistics were likely muted due to Jonathan Mogbo grabbing every single ball within a five-block radius, but I do want to see more assertiveness on the boards from Newbury.

Conclusion

Every player in this series is a “bet” to an extent. There’s not a lot of safety when you’re looking at guys generally perceived to be outside the consensus boards. Even by those standards, Ndewedo is something of a bet. He’s a sub-10 PPG upperclassman with a career usage rate of 17.2. Still, I dig his trajectory and I dig his skill set. Three years ago, he was barely getting on the floor. Then in conference play last season, he scored 11.3 PPG on 55.2/40.7/81.8 splits. He’s already there from a physical standpoint. He’s able to guard a variety of positions, he can shoot threes, and he’s a good finisher. There’s undoubtedly a need for Newbury’s connective tissue to develop. But if I’m going to bet on someone developing something, it’s going to be a guy who’s developed a lot in the past few years. I’m going to bet on Ndewedo Newbury.