No Stone Unturned 2025: The Wings, Part 1
No Stone Unturned 2025 rolls on! Today, Maxwell examines five under-the-radar wings with NBA potential. PLUS: Insights from Charleston Assistant Coach Chris Harriman on Mister Dean!
Welcome back to No Stone Unturned 2025! In this series of articles, I dig into five players at different positional groups 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 early big boards and mock drafts, as well as those who received an NBA Combine or G League Elite Camp invitation. 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 first 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 Big Man edition of No Stone Unturned 2025, check that out here. Now, let’s dig in!
Alvaro Folgueiras, 6’9”, 215 Pounds, Iowa, Junior
2024-2025 Season Stats (at Robert Morris): 14.1 PPG, 9.1 RPG, 3.2 APG, 2.3 SPG, 1.4 SPG, 1.2 BPG
2024-2025 Shooting Splits: 54.8/41.3/78.4
Signature Performance: vs. Saint Francis (PA), 12/21/2024. 27 points, 16 rebounds, four assists, four steals, three blocks. 9-14 FG, 1-3 3FG, 8-10.
Reminds me a little bit of: Jake LaRavia, Tristan da Silva, Otto Porter
Background
Alvaro Folgueiras comes from Magala, Spain. He has represented the Spanish National Team at the U17 World Cup, U18 Euro Championships, and the U20 Euro Championships over the years. Folgueiras came stateside for high school, playing his senior season for DME Academy in Florida. He had little recruiting fanfare and began his college career at Robert Morris. He had a quiet but productive freshman season, showing impressive passing for his size while cleaning up on the glass. As a sophomore, he took a tremendous leap forward and earned the Horizon League Player of the Year Award. Folgueiras played a key part for the Colonials in earning an NCAA Tournament bid, and he posted a double-double in their competitive first round matchup against Alabama. Following the season, he entered the transfer portal as one of the buzziest names in the country. He’ll be joining the Iowa Hawkeyes for his junior campaign.
What’s Good
Alvaro Folgueiras is one of the most well-rounded players in college basketball. The 6’9” forward drilled 41.3% of his threes on 6.2 attempts per 100 possessions this past season. That combination of height, efficiency, and volume is tough to come by. This is all the more impressive when you take into account that a majority of his threes were guarded attempts this past season. Synergy’s tracking data also shows that Folgueiras is deadly when left open, as he hit 48.9% of his unguarded triples. He’s shown comfort spotting up from deep behind the arc. He has a balanced base on his jumper, and has even shown some capability off movement, going 38.5% on 13 transition attempts and 36.4% on 11 attempts coming off screens this past season, per Synergy.
That shooting gravity opens up the rest of his game. He has a nice level of polish going downhill for a player his size. He’s efficient as a driver, and he sees the floor well, too. Folgueiras sees he floor well on the go, demonstrating quick “simple recognition” against help defenders. He’s also shown some higher-level tendencies like looking off his passes, making advanced reads, and executing the right type of creative delivery to maximize his team’s advantage. Additionally, Folgueiras can score on the block and pass out of it when doubled. As a result of these traits, he can score and pass as well as anyone his size inside the arc. Folgueiras made an outstanding 67.7% of his halfcourt rim attempts. He also registered a fantastic 22.5 AST%. Still, he can play off the ball too, thanks to his spot-up shooting and knack for cutting at the right time. And if teams don’t put a body on him, he’ll crash the offensive glass for easy buckets (9.1 ORB%). Folgueiras’s blend of scoring, playmaking, and off-ball comfortability at 6’9” makes him an intriguing and uniquely complete offensive prospect.
Folgueiras is productive on the defensive end, too. He’s fluid laterally and uses his length well at the point of attack. His hands are both quick and reactive, which helps him to mirror the ball effectively. Off the ball, he positions himself well in ball screens to minimize advantages when his man rolls to the basket. It feels like he’s always in the right spots, consistently deflecting passes and racking up steals against pick-and-rolls. He consistently helps at the basket and always has a hand up to contest inside. This sharp, engaged approach to defense allowed Folgueiras to register a 2.8 STL%, 4.3 BLK%, and a 27.2 DRB% this past season, all of which are stellar indicators for a forward prospect.
What Needs Improvement
My biggest worries with Folgueiras pertain to his athleticism and physicality. He’s not a great run-jump athlete, nor is he particularly powerful. During FIBA U20 play, he was knocked off his line on drives and had a hard time finishing through contact. He can tend to play upright with the ball in his hands, leading to slower drives with worse balance and below-the-rim finishes. I have some concerns about his shot, too. I don’t think he’s a bad shooter, but he has a lower release and sort of shoots it off the top of his head. Defensively, his foot speed isn’t ideal. He can be upright on that end of the floor, too, and he often resorts to handsy tactics to compensate. His ground coverage is nothing to write home about, and he can be a bit clunky changing directions in space.
Conclusion
I’m bullish on Alvaro Folgueiras. That said, his rocky play during the FIBA U20 European Championships gave me some pause. He’s going to need to maximize his quickness and strength while adapting to a faster-paced game as he heads into the Big Ten. Then, he’ll have to make that jump again when it’s time to turn pro. He’ll also need to avoid regression from long range in the meantime. Ideally, his athleticism will improve with Iowa’s high-major resources at his disposal. But even with those shortcomings, he might still possess the necessary skills to overcome them.
I don’t want to throw the baby out with the bathwater. Alvaro Folgueiras was one of the most productive mid-major players in the country this past season. Plus, he’s got a game that profiles to bring real value at the NBA level. His shooting, passing feel, rebounding, and defensive understanding are all important traits for a role player, especially at 6’9”. He has so many complementary skills and so many ways to help his team win. Simply put, it’s easy to play tall guys who know what they’re doing out there. For these reasons, I feel that his NBA potential has been underestimated. He’ll be in my Top 30 to start the year. Maybe I’ll be wrong. Maybe he’ll take his lumps this year, and maybe he’ll figure it out next year. Maybe he’ll never put it together. You can never be sure what will happen in the basketball world. But after diving into both the data and film, Alvaro Folgueiras is an educated bet that I’m happy to place. His combination of size and skill screams “potential long-term NBA player.”
Eian Elmer, 6’6”, 215 Pounds, Miami (Ohio), Junior
2024-2025 Season Stats: 11.0 PPG, 4.9 RPG, 1.2 APG, 1.0 TOV, 1.5 SPG, 0.7 BPG
2024-2025 Shooting Splits: 47.2/40.0/68.5
Signature Performance: vs. Maryland Eastern Shore (11/12/24). 24 points, nine rebounds, two assists, one steal, one block. 9-12 FG, 5-7 3FG, 1-2 FT.
Reminds me a little bit of: Jaylen Wells, Aaron Nesmith, Moses Moody
Background
Eian Elmer slid under the radar during his prep career. He played at Robert A. Taft Information Technology High School in Cincinnati. He won a state title during his junior season and served as a team captain as a senior. Elmer averaged 15.4 PPG, 11.1 RPG, 3.8 BPG, and 2.4 SPG during his final prep campaign. His recruiting footprint was rather small, with the only public offers I was able to dig up coming from Miami Ohio and Northern Kentucky.
He decided to roll with the RedHawks. As a freshman, Elmer immediately made his mark as a 3-and-D contributor, earning a MAC All-Freshman Team nod. He continued his momentum as a sophomore, boosting his point totals while showing more polish as a playmaker. Following the season, Elmer decided to return to Miami Ohio, noting in an interview with Cincinnati.com that, “You might be able to go somewhere and make $100,000, but you might not play or you might be miserable off the court…I don’t think it's worth it at all. I wouldn't take money over culture and feeling at home.”
What’s Good
Eian Elmer is an elite three-point shooter. He’s hit over 40% of his threes during each of his two college seasons. This past year, he took 9.1 attempts per 100 possessions, so he’s doing it on good volume, too. Elmer has parking lot range, showcasing an ability to drill triples from deep behind the arc. He’s got some movement shooting chops, as he went 10-for-22 in transition this past season. His clean shot prep footwork, repeatable mechanics, and quick, high release all bode well for a translation to the next level. Few can space the floor as reliably as Elmer, and he’s doing it at a time when the three-point shot is as valuable as ever.
Elmer has more to his offensive arsenal than just his catch-and-shoot three-ball, though. He has some rhythm and rock with his handle, which allows him to get to his spots. While his pull-up three is still a work in progress, Elmer’s 26-for-52 mark on pull-up twos is exceptional. His touch is immaculate even when he has to take tough, off-balance shots late in the clock. His first step and straight-line speed are solid, and he has the bounce to finish above the rim, as shown by some of his highlight-reel dunks this past season. Additionally, Elmer has become a reliable ball mover and posted a positive assist-to-turnover ratio last year. He makes simple decisions to connect the dots and avoids aimless dribbling that halts the flow of the offense. The combination of his shooting and connectivity makes him an appealing plug-and-play offensive prospect.
The fact that Elmer is one of the most disruptive wing defenders in college basketball makes him all the more exciting. At the point of attack, he does a tremendous job of using his length to smother the ball. He makes himself as big as possible when opponents drive at him, preventing the other team from getting anything easy at the rim. He’s a fluid mover who can effortlessly flip his hips or get off the ground quickly. There’s no lag time on any of his movements. He’s an in-tune off-ball defender who is always ready to make a play. He knows where to go, hustles to his spots, and covers ground in a hurry. He can close out with steam, but his coordination allows him to keep his balance and shift directions if need be. His long arms are a factor on contests, around the rim, and in passing lanes. In totality, these factors have led to Elmer posting both steal and block rates over 3.0 during each of his two college seasons. Whether he’s guarding the ball or away from it, he’s a persistent threat on the defensive side of the ball.
What Needs Improvement
The biggest tweak that Elmer could make to bolster his draft stock would be by becoming a more assertive and effective downhill player. The threat of his shot leads to hard closeouts, but he doesn’t get to the rim all that often. Per Synergy, a mere 16.4% of his halfcourt shots came at the basket, and he only made 48.6% of them. His handle is solid, but he uses it more to dance east-west or hunt a step-back jumper than to get to the rim. When he gets to the basket, he’s contact-averse and shrivels up away from defenders. As a result, he rarely gets to the free-throw line (.191 FTr) and has to settle for difficult angles at the rim. On defense, there are times when he plays too aggressively at the point of attack and opens up clear driving lanes as a result.
Conclusion
When I do my final draft grades every year, there’s a checklist of questions that I go through. One of them is: “Does this player make life easier for his teammates, or does he require special lineup accommodations?” Eian Elmer is the quintessential “makes life easier for his teammates” prospect. He has positional size. His jump shot is fantastic and provides spacing. He’s become a trustworthy snap decision-maker, and he knows not to bite off more than he can chew. He has the tools, instincts, and motor to thrive defensively. Two-way wings are always going to be valuable to front offices, especially when they bring a no-nonsense approach that accentuates the game of a team’s star player. That’s what Eian Elmer is bringing to the table.
The question then turns to whether Eian Elmer will be a guy who gets a foot in the door, a guy who hangs around the league, or an everyday player. In order to become a real deal, consistent rotation player, Elmer’s connective tissue will need to grow stronger. Now listed at 6’6” and 215 pounds, his frame is filling out. The hope is that as a result, he can be more comfortable and confident as a driver while continuing to polish up his passing feel. If he can go from “3-and-D” to “Dribble-Pass-Shoot-and-D,” he’s off to the races. Even still, his shortcomings at the rim aren’t uncommon or a dealbreaker for his archetype. Players like Jaylen Wells, Aaron Nesmith, and Moses Moody had similar issues in college. When you zoom out, there are few prospects better at the “big picture” things than Eian Elmer. For that reason, I believe he won’t stay under the radar for much longer.
Elijah Mahi, 6’7”, 220 Pounds, Santa Clara, Senior
2024-2025 Season Stats: 11.3 PPG, 4.3 RPG, 2.7 APG, 1.6 TOV, 0.6 SPG, 0.3 BPG
2024-2025 Shooting Splits: 47.8/43.4/67.9
Signature Performance: vs. San Diego, 2/8/2025. 28 points, six rebounds, seven assists, one block. 9-11 FG, 3-3 3FG, 7-10 FT.
Reminds me a little bit of: Terance Mann, Bruce Brown, Alec Burks
Background
Elijah Mahi originally hails from Toronto, Canada. He played high school basketball at Potter’s House Christian in Jacksonville, Florida, and competed for the Northern Kings squad on the Under Armour circuit. Mahi didn’t have a ton of recruiting buzz throughout his prep career. He attended West Valley College, a JuCo program in Saratoga, California. There, he was a dominant force. He helped lead the squad to a 33-0 record and a state championship during his first year on campus. His play earned him both the Coast Freshman of the Year and the Coast-South Defensive Player of the Year awards. After his sophomore year, he enrolled at Santa Clara, where he continued his stat-sheet-stuffing ways. He’ll be returning to the Broncos for his senior season.
What’s Good
Elijah Mahi has an unusual level of offensive polish for a player with his size and strength. He’s an exceptionally smooth operator with the ball in his hands. He’s powerful enough to bully and overwhelm opponents, but he can win with craft, too. He has a wide array of tricks to start his drive, like stampede dribbles and stutter rips. But once he’s going toward the basket, he has a sleek array of slippery moves to dice through traffic and avoid help defenders. He plays low to the ground and keeps his handle tight. He also does a nice job of changing speeds to keep defenders off-balance. As a result, Mahi is a walking paint touch. Per Synergy, 54.1% of his halfcourt shots this past season came at the basket. When there, he seeks out contact and finishes through it. Teams can’t sit back on his drives, either. Mahi hit 43.4% his triples last season, including an astounding 15-for-29 mark on his pull-up threes. His proficiency in shooting off the catch and his flashes as a long-range shot maker make him all the more exciting.
Even better, Mahi often keeps his eyes up throughout his entire playmaking process. Per Synergy, he ranked in the 89th percentile in efficiency on pick-and-roll plays, including passes across his 165 possessions in that setting. He sees the entirety of the court. Whether it’s a quick, simple pass to a roller, an on-the-go live-dribble whip to an open shooter, or a spontaneous read and delivery to a cutter, Mahi can make it happen. His 20.4 AST% and strong assist-to-turnover mark this past season are testaments to his skill and feel as a playmaker. Few players in college hoops can collapse defenses, pressure the rim, shoot, and read the floor as well as Mahi.
Mahi has the tools to be an impactful defender, too. His awareness is really solid. He’s clearly a communicator, visibly talking and pointing throughout the course of a possession. Rarely will he be out of position off the ball. His size can overwhelm ball handlers when he helps at the nail or brings a double. Mahi covers ground well and always has a nice level of balance to him when moving rotationally. At the point of attack, his strong frame makes him a handful for a variety of opponents. Opposing wings and guards struggle to create space against Mahi when he leverages his physicality. That bulk also helps him to scrap with bigger dudes on the interior.
What Needs Improvement
I’d feel better about Mahi if he were a more consistent defender. The effort just isn’t always there. He can be a bit clunky laterally, a symptom of his upright, narrow posture. It’s easier to turn the corner on him than it should be. Mahi also has a tendency to play too much with his hands rather than his feet, grabbing at opponents who are set to go by him instead of using his feet or hips to get back in the play. His 1.5 STL% and 1.3 BLK% are low marks for a mid-major prospect and point to a casual off-ball approach. Simply put, his motor needs to run hotter on that end of the ball. Offensively, I’d like to see Mahi show more assertiveness and decisiveness off the catch. He only took 5.6 threes per 100 possessions. Part of the issue is that when he receives the ball, he often stops it and surveys the floor without even looking at the rim. And while Mahi got to the cup a lot, he can also settle for tough angles at the basket, leading to a 47.9 FG% on those attempts in the halfcourt.
Conclusion
There are areas of Elijah Mahi’s game that concern me. If he’s going to stick in the NBA, his defensive effort will need to improve. Additionally, he’ll have to speed up his decision-making process to better fit the complementary roles that young players are most traditionally asked to fill. It’s also tough to fully buy into his jumper, given the lower volume from deep and his lackluster free-throw percentage. Still, I can’t help but get excited about him. His combination of size, strength, skill, and savvy is tough to come by. At 6’7” and 220 pounds, he’s where he needs to be from a power standpoint. It’s also very difficult to find players that big who can handle and pass the ball the way Mahi can. Throw in some intriguing flashes of perimeter scoring, and he’s checking a lot of important modern wing boxes. Mahi is big and talented, and he really knows how to play basketball. At a certain point, it’s tough to ask for much more than that. There’s a real path for Mahi to hear his name called on draft night.
Tre Carroll, 6-8, 235 Pounds, Xavier, Redshirt Senior
2024-2025 Season Stats (at Florida Atlantic): 12.2 PPG, 5.2 RPG, 1.6 APG, 1.3 TOV, 0.8 SPG, 1.0 BPG
2024-2025 Shooting Splits: 52.3/38.8/75.5
Signature Performance: vs. South Florida (2/2/25). 18 points, seven rebounds, five assists, two blocks, one steal. 6-7 FG, 0-1 3FG, 6-7 FT.
Reminds me a little bit of: Torrey Craig, Dorian Finney-Smith, Taurean Prince
Background
Tre Carroll played high school ball at Charlotte High School in Punta Gorda, Florida. As a senior, he was named the Florida Dairy Farmers Class 6A Player of the Year. He competed for Team Florida 17U on the Adidas Circuit alongside Johni Broome, who was a second-round pick in the 2025 NBA Draft. Carroll was given three-star status by 247Sports and ranked 230th in the high school class of 2021. He chose to attend Florida Atlantic over Florida Gulf Coast and Stetson.
His run with the Owls started slow. He redshirted his first year on campus. During his first season, he saw limited minutes in 18 games for the FAU team that made a Final Four run. The following year was more of the same. As a junior, Carroll burst onto the map and stuffed the stat sheet on both sides of the ball. He won the AAC Most Improved Player Award and earned All-AAC Second Team Honors. After the conclusion of the season, he entered the transfer player and enrolled at Xavier.
What’s Good
Tre Carroll is a handful to deal with on the defensive end. He’s versatile at the point of attack. His hulking frame helps him when he’s switched onto true big men, and he’s also agile enough to cover quicker guards on the perimeter. His anticipation in switch scenarios is on point, and he’s shockingly light on his feet for a man his size. Rarely will guards try to generate dribble penetration against him, as it’s tough to get both through and around Carroll. Given how much the modern NBA values players who can guard a variety of positions, particularly those who can match the physicality of bigger wings, Tre Carroll is an intriguing proposition as an on-ball defender.
He’s got the goods off-ball, too. His rotations are timely, boasting strong recognition of what the opposing offense is trying to accomplish with the athletic traits to get where he needs to go. Carroll’s instincts shine around the basket in particular. He consistently gets into help position at the rim, he gets off the floor well, and his strength allows him to stay vertical when drivers crash into his chest. On the perimeter, he times his digs well and shows polish when deciding which passing lanes are worth gambling in. As a result, Carroll’s defensive playmaking metrics are strong. Both his 2.0 STL% and 4.7 BLK% grade out well for a forward prospect. Additionally, Carroll is a high-motor rebounder who posted a 17.2 DRB% this past year. His prowess, both on and off the ball, paired with his grit and size, makes his defensive projection a cut above most prospects on the margins.
Carroll is good in a variety of important areas offensively. He made 38.8% of his threes on okay volume this past year (5.1 attempts per 100 possessions). He also really understands how to play within the flow of the offense. Carroll is a decisive player who keeps the ball moving. He has the floor mapped and makes the occasional sharp pass through a tight window. As a result, he registered a 14.5 AST% and a positive assist-to-turnover ratio, giving him two more feathers in his cap. He’s a force going to the rim, whether it’s as a roller, cutter, or straight-line driver. He has the bounce to finish above the rim (14 dunks) and thoroughly embraces contact. Carroll also has some nice touch on floaters and push shots. Lastly, his effort on the glass shines here, too. Carroll’s 8.8 ORB% is an impressive one. He loves to crash the glass, and he’ll gladly go to war even if it ends in him merely tapping the ball out to a teammate. This blend of athleticism, physicality, and basic skills makes him worth monitoring.
What Needs Improvement
My biggest concern with Tre Carroll is how well he can scale up offensively to the next level. He shot the ball well this past season, but he’ll need to increase his volume to convince front offices that he’s a knockdown guy. Additionally, his low release point could become an issue when he’s facing faster, harder closeouts. And while he’s a reliable standstill, “next one” passer, he doesn’t have a lot of juice as a creator. He lacks comfort in tight spaces and loses control of the ball unprompted far too often. Defensively, he can look a hair stiff and heavy-footed at times, which leads to turning and chasing as opposed to containing the ball. He can also be a bit too jumpy and eager to gamble at times.
Conclusion
I’m going to exercise caution with Tre Carroll. I love the idea of his game. He’s big, strong, and bouncy. His low-maintenance, selfless approach, paired with a high-motor mentality and physical traits, theoretically profiles well for a role player. The issue is that the historical data tells us that the guys who tend to stick in NBA roles are the guys who were stars in college, then scaled back their game at the next level. Carroll’s 25.8 USG% is nothing to sneeze at, but a deeper dive into both the tape and numbers demonstrates the simplicity of his role. Per Synergy, his most common play types were as a pick-and-roll roll man, getting out in transition, cutting, and spotting up. Generally, he’s doing his work off the ball. Add in the fact that he’ll turn 25 during his rookie season, and it’s easy to piece together why he hasn’t earned mainstream acclaim.
Still, I can’t quit Tre Carroll. He’s a guy you can go to war with. His energy is always off the charts. Opponents cannot escape his presence on defense. He’s always competing, disrupting, and inciting chaos. Offensively, his physicality and willingness to connect the dots could go a long way. His age, lack of on-ball reps, and questionable jump shot are all limiting factors, both in the short and long term when it comes to projecting NBA outcomes. But I can’t escape the idea that Carroll could take another step forward this year. And if he does, even at his age, the skills he possesses are valuable. Even if he ends up as a mere innings-eater, he’s the most valuable type of innings-eater—a big wing who can do the important stuff on both ends of the floor. If I’m looking for players on the margins, I’d much rather swing on “older but might be a physically ready 3-and-D guy” Tre Carroll than “Uninspiring Small Guard A” or “Lackluster Big Man B.” Should his shot stay steady, he should gain steam as the draft cycle progresses.
Mister Dean, 6’6”, 200 Pounds, College of Charleston, Sophomore
2024-2025 Season Stats (at USC Upstate): 15.7 PPG, 5.5 RPG, 1.4 APG, 2.3 TOV, 2.2 SPG, 0.7 BPG
2024-2025 Shooting Splits: 57.2/24.4/57.2
Signature Performance: vs. Presbyterian, 1/8/2025. 23 points, eight rebounds, one assist, four steals, two blocks. 9-16 FG, 0-1 3FG, 5-5 FT.
Reminds me a little bit of: Dyson Daniels, Derrick Jones Jr., Javonte Green
Background
Mister Dean played for South Dade High School in Miami, Florida. He averaged 26.3 PPG as a senior and earned First Team All-Dade honors. He then did a post-grad year at Sunrise Chirstian, where he averaged 17.0 PPG and 5.0 RPG in 21.0 MPG. Still, he didn’t generate heaps of recruiting fanfare. Dean enrolled at USC Upstate, where he had a productive freshman campaign and won the Big South Freshman of the Year Award. After the season, he entered the transfer portal and enrolled at College of Charleston. I had the pleasure of speaking with CofC Assistant Coach Chris Harriman, who noted, “It doesn't take a genius to look at the film and see how talented he is. Coach Cunningham did a terrific job of recruiting him, Coach Mack built a great relationship, and we realized what he’s all about. He's a winner, he's a competitor, and he has a spirit that you want in your program. As we learned more about him, he checked every box for us. Thankfully for us, it worked out, and he's been terrific since he got here.”
What’s Good
Mister Dean is an outlier athlete. It’s evident on the defensive end of the floor, where he thrives as a point-of-attack defender. The scary part is that on top of his fantastic physical traits, Dean is a worker. “It's one thing to work hard, but it's another to have the length and strength, live legs, great anticipation,” Coach Harriman remarked. Dean is an intense, pestering defender. His arms appear comically long, he’s fleet of foot, and he does a great job of using his hands to get in on the ball. Dean likes to play his man tight and make them feel his presence. When he gets down in his stance, he moves exceptionally well laterally, as if he’s a video game character with unlimited turbo. “We've plugged him in all over the place. He's been successful guarding point guards and fours. There's not a position he can't guard, even a small-ball five. It sounds cliché, but we're comfortable putting him on any position defensively. He has that type of versatility,” Harriamn said.
On top of being a nightmare matchup on the ball, Dean is a hyper-disruptive off-ball defender. He covers ground at warp speed. He’s able to act as a free safety in passing lanes, picking off passes before leading the break. His motor pops up again here, as he’ll dive on the floor to win battles for loose balls. He’s also an eager rim helper who can soar and reject opponents at the rim. Dean’s ridiculous leaping ability and tenacity also make him an impactful rebounder (19.2 DRB%). He posted a preposterous 5.0 STL% and a 3.2 BLK% during his first college season. Only seven players in the BartTorvik Era (2008 onward) have played over 40% of their team’s minutes while posting a steal rate of 5.0 or above with a block rate of 3.0 or above, and Dean is one of them. It is tough to find defenders this impactful, particularly at a young age.
Dean is a livewire in transition. He registered an eye-popping 50 dunks this past season per Synergy, which is an astonishing mark for any non-big. He pressures the rim in the halfcourt, too. He’s not afraid to play through contact downhill, and he draws a ton of fouls (.446 FTr) as a result. “He's an incredible cutter, and he makes plays in transition you don't think are possible with [the] ability to knife through the defense…he's trying to rip the rim off when he drives to the basket. We play five-out, four-out, where the floor's spread. We can use him off handoffs, as a cutter, he's improved using ball screens, post him up, invert screening actions,” Harriman said. Plus, he’s had some interesting flashes as a passer. He can make simple deliveries to punish help inside, but he’s also showcased smart thinking and impressive execution at times with spontaneous reads from the perimeter. While he struggled with turnovers, he did still register a 13.9 AST%, and Coach Harriman noted that he’s been racking up assists in practice. Lastly, Dean’s 7.1 ORB% is a testament to his springiness and effort on the offensive glass.
What Needs Improvement
The elephant in the room is Dean’s jump shot. He went 24.4% from deep and shot 57.2% at the free-throw line, both of which are far from desirable by NBA prospect standards. Mechanically, there’s a lot to work through. He has little bend in his knees and can slouch his upper body a bit to the left, leading to balance and energy transfer issues throughout the motion. “He's shot the ball considerably better since he's gotten here…He's put the time in to where he can be a consistent threat as a standstill shooter,” Harriman said. He’ll also need to see the floor more consistently, as he’s prone to tunnel vision downhill, which was a big part of his turnover woes last season. Defensively, he’ll need to continue to add strength and use his chest more than his hands to avoid foul trouble.
Conclusion
It’s reasonable to be skeptical of Mister Dean’s long-term NBA prospects. Most role players on the wing are tasked with two things offensively: shoot threes and reliably move the ball. I can understand someone looking at Dean’s shortcomings in those respects as a freshman and saying, “No thanks, maybe I’ll check back later.”
Still, I'm extremely intrigued by Dean. For starters, there’s the fact that he’s an outlier athlete. It’s very difficult to find players who generate steals, blocks, dunks, and rebounds like he does. Then, there are the flashes of playmaking and ball skills. A while back, I wrote an article about pre-draft non-shooters who’ve found NBA success. The most common throughlines in those players were size, athleticism, and the ability to do just about everything else on the basketball court. Dean fits that description.
Obviously, if the shot comes around, we’re off to the races. There is arguably no greater “if he shoots it” swing skill player in college basketball than Mister Dean. That said, gigantic shooting leaps are relatively rare. But what’s also rare is Mister Dean’s athleticism, intensity, and production. He might be so good that the shot just needs to sniff “respectable” from deep so long as his processing improves, which is a pretty safe bet in my book. Plus, Coach Harriman was bullish on his work ethic, stating, “He wants to soak up every minute in practice and the film room, he’s always wanting to learn. He's obsessed with the game, obsessed with getting better. I'm glad he'll be in our locker room…He walks in the gym and he's the loudest guy with the biggest smile most days.” If someone is going to figure things out, it’s a guy with those traits who already has plenty of other avenues to playing time. It might not all happen right away for Mister Dean, but he’s got as good a chance to make it happen at some point as anybody.
Really enjoyed the Article, Maxwell! Thanks for the insight.