Shan Foster - NBA Draft Prospects

Numbers: 20.3 ppg, 4.9 rpg, 1.6 apg, 1.1 spg, 1.7 t/o's, 52% FG, 76% FT, 47% 3's

About Him: Shan Foster may have been the best shooter in the country this season this side of Stephen Curry, although he does have an unorthodox release (think Michael Redd with a dash of Larry Bird). He has great length (6'6" with long arms) and elevates fairly high which gives him an extremely high release point, and can get it off very quickly with almost no space. He is excellent at coming off of screens, and has shown range well beyond the NBA three point line. He has shown the ability to hit tough, off-balance shots, and when he gets going he can hit eight or nine in a row (and that's not an exaggeration). Clearly, his jump shot is the best part of his game, but he has made great strides in other aspects as well. His ball-handling, while still not great, is much improved over last season. He turned the ball over less than two times per game this season, although that may be the result of the high number of shots he takes. When defenders run out at him on the initial catch, he is very good at throwing a pump fake, and taking a dribble in either direction and hitting a mid-range pull-up. He also can hit a floater going to his right out to about 8-10 feet. Although he does not have much of a first-step, he is a heady player and uses fakes to get my defenders. Defensively, he can use his length and size to make up for a lack of lateral quickness. He works hard and puts in effort, but his slight frame at times means he gets pushed around and stuggles to get through screens.

Comparisons: Jason Kapono, Kyle Korver

Bottom Line: Foster had a much better senior year than either Korver or Kapono, and has comparative size to both of them. He should be able slide into that same role with whoever picks him. Right now, he looks like a second rounder, but with good workouts he may be able to sneak into the end of the first.