NBA Draft Prospects: Damion James, Texas

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Stats: 18.0 ppg, 10.3 (3.1 off) rpg, 1.7 apg, 1.2 bpg, 50.1% FG, 38.3% 3PT

Size:

• Listed: 6'7", 225 lb, 22 yrs old
• Combine: 6'7 1/4" (with shoes), 227 lb, 7'0 3/4" (wingspan)

About Him: James declared for the NBA Draft after his junior season, electing to return to school after he failed to receive a guarantee that he would be picked in the first round. During his senior season, the Longhorns had an up-and-down year, starting 17-0 and climbing to a No. 1 national ranking before seeing their season collapse and end with a first round NCAA Tournament exit.

Individually, however, James' senior season was quite successful. James has always been known as a hard-worker, a junkyard dog, so to speak. He always hit the glass, he always ran the floor hard, he always dove on the floor for loose balls. Playing hard, playing the way that James does, is a skill, and there are few in this draft better than James.

The knock on James, however, has always been his ball skills, but as a senior James showed a lot of improvement in this area. While he is still a long way from being Ray Allen, James has become at the very least a capable jump shooter. He is at his best when he has the chance to spot up and be a catch-and-shoot player, but he also showed the ability to hit a pull-up jumper this season.

His handle was also much improved this season. He's not going to be running the point, and he's not going to be on the and-one mixtape anytime soon, but James is capable of squaring up his defender and getting to the rim. For the most part, this comes on straight lines drives as he tends to get himself into trouble when he is forced to change directions or crossover, but his length, strength, and athleticism allows him to finish through contact. Creating space for himself around the rim is not a requirement for James to score.

The problem? While James is greatly improved in both of these aspects of his game, he's still a long way from what you would consider at threat at the NBA level. In fact, his only NBA-ready skill is his ability to rebound. He goes after misses as hard as anyone in this draft class, has the strength to carve out some space in the paint, and seems to have an excellent feel for where a rebound is going to come off.

Defense is another question mark for James. While he has a solid frame, length, and size, he's still a bit undersized as a four in the NBA and he doesn't quite have the lateral quickness to guard a three on the perimeter. While he strength and toughness will help in these areas, James doesn't seem to project as a great defender at the next level.

Comparison:

• Best Case Scenario: If James can successfully develop the quickness to be able to defend an NBA three, I can see James becoming a rich man's Luc Richard Mbah a Moute. He is stronger, a better rebounder, and a better shooter.
  
• Worst Case Scenario: A guy that comes in and plays 8-12 mpg, providing defense, toughness, and versatility, maybe a Stephen Graham.
  

Outlook: James looks like he could be taken somewhere in the mid-to-late first round, although I am having a difficult time seeing how he will ever be a significant contributer for an NBA team. He plays hard, tough, and physical basketball, but that only gets you so far. If you can't really contribute on either end of the floor, why is an NBA team going to have you on the floor? Can James be a significant contributor anywhere other than on the glass?

Highlights: