NBA Draft Profiles: Jamie Skeen, VCU

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Stats: 15.7 ppg, 7.3 rpg, 1.0 bpg, 41.9 3PT%

Age: 23, senior

Size:

• Listed: 6'9", 240 lb
• Official: 6'6.5" (no shoes), 6'8" (with shoes), 7'1.25" (wingspan), 8'10.5" (reach), 242 lb

Strengths: Skeen has developed into a fairly dangerous inside-outside threat. His reputation throughout his career has been as a face-up forward, and that rep is well-deserved; Skeen shot 41.9% from three this season and became a dangerous pick-and-pop threat for VCU in their run to the Final Four. He's also added a solid interior game. He's got some bulk and a soft touch inside, which allows him to finish around the rim. He doesn't have a huge variety of moves on the block, but he is effective with what he does have -- spins, drop-steps, jump hooks over his left shoulder.

Weaknesses: Skeen is a bit small for an ideal NBA power forward, checking in at just 6'8" in shoes. And while he does have a nice wingspan, he's not overwhelmingly athletic or explosive. Its possible for undersized power forwards to thrive in the NBA (Brandon Bass, Paul Millsap, etc.), but one of the areas where concerns have been raised is Skeen's rebounding. He did average 7.3 rpg and had some impressive games against quality competition (14 boards against Tennessee, 10 against Kansas in the Elite 8), but NBA scouts are the kings of the nitpickers, and Skeen's lack of dominance on the glass will be a concern. Skeen's post-game, while effective in college, does not have an abundance of advanced moves. He's effective with what he does, but simply going over his left shoulder is not going to work as an undersized four in the league.

Comparisons:

• Best Case Scenario: A mix between Robert Horry and Rodney Rogers. Both Horry and Rogers carved out long NBA careers by playing the role of a big man that was able to step out and knock down a three ball. Rogers was probably a better scorer than Skeen and Horry was more athletic (and more clutch?), but the same kind of career arc is what Skeen will be hoping for.


• Worst Case Scenario: If Skeen is able to hang around on the back end of NBA rosters, Brian Cook isn't a bad comparison. But I think the worst case scenario for Skeen is a career in Europe. He's got the skillset -- physical forward, can knock down a jumper -- that European teams love. It isn't the NBA, but there is certainly money to be made in Europe.

Outlook: Skeen's collegiate career was a winding road. The 2006 player of the year in North Carolina, Skeen injured his knee before enrolling at Wake Forest, but still managed to make the ACC all-freshmen team. After seeing his minutes get cut as a sophomore, Skeen transferred out of Wake early in his junior year after being suspended by the school amidst academic troubles. He ended up at VCU, where he didn't really burst onto the scene until this season. Despite all of those issues, Skeen has drawn rave reviews for his work ethic and his coachability from everywhere he has been associated. Skeen has been through a lot in his career, and it has helped him mature as a person and a player. He doesn't have the skill set to be a star in the NBA, but if he continues to work hard, carry himself professionally, and accept the role he is assigned at the next level, he's got a chance to carve himself out a nice NBA career.

Draft Range: Mid-to-Late 2nd Round

And the experts say...

• Chad Ford: "Skeen was special in the tournament and saved his best for last : a 26-point, 10-rebound outburst against Kansas' NBA-sized front line and 27 points against Butler in the Final Four. Skeen's a true inside-outside player. He battles for position in the paint and he can let it fly from 3-point range. He's not going to be a lottery pick, but he's moved from certain free agent to a legit shot at getting drafted -- either in the late-first round or the second round."


• Draft Express: "Though he continues to show flashes of a face-up game, he is most effective in the post, where he has evolved into a gritty finisher. While his footwork and touch around the basket are much improved, his post arsenal remains limited and predictable as he lacks much in the way of countermoves. He is best when executing a simple spin move into a jump hook over his left shoulder, where he can create space using his bulk and finish with his soft touch. He must work on improving his off hand, as his effectiveness as a post-scorer finisher is limited at the next level."


• Swish Scout: "Fundamental forward who can be utilized in the high pick and roll because of his ability to pop out and knock down the perimeter jumper or open three. Skeen has great strength, length, basketball IQ, and motor, but he lacks great athleticism and refinement on his offensive post game that could force him into being a back up."

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