 In the modern NBA, efficient shooting is predominantly derived from threes, free throws, and attempts at the rim. While bigs derive most of their looks at the rim from putbacks, lobs, post-ups, and easy assisted looks, wings must be able to adeptly attack the rim from the perimeter as drivers. A well-rounded finishing package for a slashing wing is comprised of a subset of specific situational driving skills, including attacking closeouts, off-the-dribble self-creation, blowing by switching bigs, absorbing contact, one-foot and two-foot bounce, change of pace, stride length, acrobatic mid-air body contortion, fluidity, touch, and more. In our third Film Room Friday installment of the 2019-20 scouting season, the PBC scouting team has sifted through game film to identify non-big prospects with potential to translate as effective slashers and finishers at the rim. To provide some context, let’s first lay out a few examples of NBA players that excel at attacking the paint on drives and finishing through traffic. NBA Rookies and Sophomores: Luka Dončić, Brandon Clarke, Shai Gilgeous-Alexander NBA Veterans: Giannis Antetokounmpo, Derrick Rose, LeBron James Recent NBA Retirees: Manu Ginobili, Brandon Roy, Gerald Wallace, Dwyane Wade These lists are not meant as rankings, and are certainly non-exhaustive, but serve the purpose of providing some familiar examples of NBA players that derive a substantial portion of their offensive value as slashers. Within the 2020 NBA Draft class, there are a handful of prospects that stand out as projectable slashing wings. Among those ranked in the top 45 on consensus big boards are Isaac Okoro and Obi Toppin. Below, we will highlight three 2020 NBA Draft eligible prospects ranked outside of the top 45 on consensus big board rankings that have excelled in varying ways as rim-finishing slashers: Saben LeeWing | 6’2’’ | 183 lbs. | Jr. | Vanderbilt | #0 PBC Consensus Ranking: 100+ Saben Lee is one of the most exciting players in the country, primarily as a result of his eye-popping, explosive athleticism. He may be one of the quickest players in college basketball and he does an excellent job at using that quickness to his advantage as a driver. While he has some nice finishes through contact or around contests, he particularly excels at turning the corner on his defender, leaving them in the dust, and getting to the basket for easy, barely contested layups and dunks. In addition to his burst and acceleration as a driver, he’s also really bouncy. As can be seen in the video above, Lee also does a great job at using pump fakes and solid footwork to fake out defenders to create easier looks at the rim. According to Synergy, Lee ranks in the 92nd percentile on non post-up attempts around the basket and is shooting 68.6% on such attempts. Lee will get his chance to shine down the stretch of the season in the absence of start teammate and likely first round pick Aaron Nesmith. He's flying a bit under the radar, but has the tools to warrant testing the 2020 NBA Draft waters and receiving feedback from NBA decision-makers. Jermaine SamuelsForward | 6’7’’ | 222 lbs. | Jr. | Villanova | #23 PBC Consensus Ranking: 100+ Jermaine Samuels leverages his frame and size to create alleys to the basket and carve out room for high percentage finishes. According to Synergy, Samuels ranks in the 97th percentile on non post-up attempts near the rim and is shooting 75.7% on such attempts. In addition to making functional use of his strong frame as a driver, he also has a keen sense of leveraging his length to finish around contesting rim-protection. Diving into the film, it's apparent that Samuels favors driving and finishing with his right, but he has flashed some capability of finishing with his left hand, as well. Most of Samuels' attacks come off the catch and he's got a nice, crisp spin move in his arsenal that he uses to shake his defender off his hip and create space as he bursts through the paint. While not necessarily a bona fide 2020 prospect at the moment, the former top 50 recruit has shown some promise and could very well continue to blossom and raise his stock throughout Big East conference play. DeAndre WilliamsForward | 6’9’’ | 190 lbs. | So. | Evansville | #13 PBC Consensus Ranking: 100+ DeAndre Williams is one of the best finishers in the country. He ranks in the 100th percentile and is scoring at a rate of 1.8 points per possession (PPP) on very high volume (47% of his offensive possessions). Williams is shooting a ridiculous 85.5% on non post-up shots around the rim. Williams' aggressiveness and willing to attack downhill really pops in his film. He knows that getting to the rim is his bread and butter and his combination of confidence, relentlessness, physicality, athleticism, coordination, and touch make him a lethal driver. Williams makes functional use of his 6'9" lengthy frame en route to the basket and, like Samuels, has a solid spin move in his repertoire. He's also shown to be particular adept at making acrobatic in-air body contortions to create a better finishing angle in through contact and help side defense. Williams is an intriguing early entrant sleeper and, as a sophomore prospect that is older than many seniors, very well may consider testing the waters and potentially staying in the 2020 NBA Draft pool. *Stats courtesy of Synergy Sports Technology
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