PBC Mid Major, Big Game: Dylan Windler

Dylan Windler is a 6’7 1/2” versatile senior wing for the Belmont Bruins. One of the top players in the nation, Windler is truly a do-it-all two-way prospect with a skill set that translates to the modern NBA. Windler has worked his way from an under-recruited late-bloomer to a mid-major star on the precipice of hearing his name called on draft night.

Tale of the Tape

Contested & Out-of-Area Rebounding
Perhaps Windler’s most clearly translatable skill is his rebounding prowess. Windler is one of the best rebounding perimeter players in the nation. Even when his shot isn’t falling, Windler consistently provides value by closing out defensive possessions and keeping offensive possessions alive on the glass (as evidenced by his 15 rebound effort on an off-shooting night in a win at UCLA). Windler’s rebounding instincts and ball-tracking are truly special. He has an uncanny sense for the most likely trajectory of a rebound in relation to shot location, immediately relocates himself to an advantageous rebounding position, and has exceptional timing as a reactive leaper, utilizing his length to pull down rebounds at the highest possible point through contesting outstretched arms.

​In the clip below, we highlight the Windler’s instinctive rebounding acumen.

NBA Range & Shot Diversity
Windler, with a promising combination of fluid shot mechanics and confidence, has legitimate NBA range and a proven ability to knock down deep threes over high-hand closeouts. He has the shooting versatility to create clean looks via step-backs, off the bounce, off the catch, and off movement from well beyond the college three-point arc. Last season, Windler was one of the most effective shooters in the country, ranking in the 95th percentile or better as a shooter in the half-court, off-the-dribble, off-screens, in catch-and-shoot opportunities, and from three.

Windler, a left-handed shooter, has continued to showcase his downtown prowess throughout the first half of his senior season. In the clip below, we highlight Windler’s pure shooting form, snapping release speed, and shot versatility from deep.

Lateral Shift & Footwork
Standing at nearly 6’8” with an apparent + wingspan, Windler has a sound perimeter defensive floor due to his length and recoverability. But what truly makes Windler shine as a defensive prospect is his quick feet. Windler utilizes this functional athleticism and sound footwork to stick with guards that are perceived to have a speed/burst advantage. This skill set has a clear translation to the space-oriented, pick-and-roll heavy offensive schematics of the NBA. This season, Windler grades out as a 94th percentile point-of-attack defender of pick-and-roll ball handlers, allowing a stifling 0.389 PPP.

This lateral athleticism also manifests itself within Windler’s offensive repertoire via deceleration, change of direction, and crafty footwork on drives. Windler adeptly mixes long strides with finesse lateral shiftiness to knife through the paint and evade help-side defenders as he attacks the rim and finishes under control, as highlighted in the clip below.

PBC Projection

Windler’s shooting range/mechanics, elite rebounding, and length/lateral quickness combination as a perimeter defender make him a very intriguing, translatable NBA prospect. If Belmont makes an NCAA tournament run and Windler shows out in opportunities against high-level competition, he has the potential to climb up draft boards. The OVC has produced several NBA players in recent years (Ian Clark, Robert Covington, Kenneth Faried, Alfonzo McKinnie, Isaiah Canaan, Cameron Payne, and Antonius Cleveland), with Windler likely to join Murray State’s Ja Morant as the next generation of OVC-to-NBA success stories. The PBC weighted consensus ranking slots Windler as an early-to-mid 2nd round prospect, with potential upside to crack the tail end of the 1st round dependent on the landscape of early entrants' decisions to stay in the draft or withdraw.

Jon Chepkevich serves as the Director of Scouting for the Professional Basketball Combine. In his role at STATS LLC, Jon reviews the financial terms/profitability of customer contracts, develops NBA minutes projections, and records live statistics for NCAA and NBA games. When he isn’t in the office, Jon enjoys Chicago’s competitive pick-up hoops scene, dissecting NBA draft prospects, and performing salary cap analysis.
​Follow Jon on Twitter @JonChep.

James Fox serves as a Scouting Intern for the Professional Basketball Combine. James attends the University of Wisconsin-Whitewater where he is a student-athlete on the men’s basketball team. He plans on graduating in May with a Sports Management degree. Outside of the classroom and off the court, James enjoys attending Wisconsin sporting events with friends and family as well as watching plenty of NCAA and NBA basketball.
​Follow James on Twitter @JamesFox23.