NBA Draft Profiles: Marshon Brooks, Providence

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Stats: 24.6 ppg, 7.0 rpg, 2.5 apg, 3.1 t/o's, 1.5 spg, 1.2 bpg

Age: 22, senior

Size:

• Listed: 6'5", 195 lb
• Official: 6'4.25" (no shoes), 6'5.25" (with shoes), 7'1" (wingspan), 8'5" (reach), 195 lb

Strengths: Marshon Brooks can flat out score the basketball. Granted, he was playing in one of the most uptempo systems in the country (ninth according to Kenpom) and on a team that did not employ many other scoring options. But that doesn't change the fact that he averaged 24.6 ppg. And it doesn't change the fact that he went for 52 points against Notre Dame or 43 points against Georgetown. Brooks is at his best when he can slash to the bucket in the open court. He's not an overly explosive player -- Brooks isn't going to jump over you or blow by you with his quickness -- but he takes long strides and has a tremendous wingspan. He got to the free throw line quite a bit this past season (especially during Big East play) which is impressive considering he also took 197 threes. Its tough to gauge just how good of a shooter he is considering his shot selection, but he did hit some tough, contested mid-range shots this season and is a capable three point shooter. Brooks is a defensive playmaker thanks to his length, but its tough to determine what kind of on-ball defender he will be given the zone the Friars played.

Weaknesses: The biggest issue that Brooks has right now is that his physical profile is lacking. He's not a great leaper, he can beat a slower defender thanks to his long stride but he doesn't have blow-by quickness, and he lacks the upper body strength that will allow him to finish through contact. There are also some major questions in his decision-making. Brooks turned the ball over quite a bit and had a very low assist-rate given his usage-rate. He also showed fairly horrendous shot-selection this past season. But Brooks also played on a bad team where he was one of the only offensive options. For the Friars to compete, they needed Brooks to be a gunner on the off-chance that he would have one of those offensive outbursts.

Comparisons:

• Best Case Scenario: The comparison that you are going to see a lot of is Kobe Bryant, which is a bit unfair for Brooks. While its true that, visually, Brooks has a similar looking jumper and smoothness to his game, Kobe is worlds better -- as a playmaker, as a shooter, and as an athlete. Draft Express compares Brooks to Nick Young, which is fair (although Young is a better athlete), but I what Bjorn says -- that he will end up as a mix of Anthony Morrow or Courtney Lee. Whatever the case, Brooks looks like the kind of player that will top out as a guy that plays significant minutes that will provide an offensive outburst now and then.


• Worst Case Scenario: If Brooks can't find a role in the NBA, he'll likely end up as one of those guys that floats around Europe and makes you say 'Hey, I remember him' every time you see him on an overseas roster. Draft Express equates him to Henry Domercant, the high-scoring guard out of Eastern Illinois that went undrafted. Bjorn says he'll be a poor-man's Rudy Fernandez. How about this: Gary Neal. Neal took a while to get to the NBA, but the Towson product found a role as a spot-up shooter and rotation player with the Spurs.

Outlook: We know that Brooks can score, but the key for him finding an NBA niche is learning how to be more than a ball-dominating gunner. Simply put, he is not going to find an opportunity in the NBA where he can have the freedom to shoot the way he did at Providence. He needs to become a reliable jump-shooter than can attack off the bounce when the opportunity is there. He needs to improve his shot-selection and become a better play-maker and passer; there were times this past season when it appeared that Brooks only saw the rim once he put the ball on the floor. He's also going to need to improve his strength to hang around the NBA. But with his length and ability to make things happen on the defensive end of the floor, Brooks has a shot to make it as a sparkplug off the bench.

Draft Range: Mid to Late 1st round

And the experts say...

• Chad Ford: "Yes, it is amazing to see Brooks play and literally see Kobe here and there. But as it relates to where he gets his points, quickness with the ball, star-level athleticism or playmaking on defense from, there simply is no comparison. Brooks is a hot name now and can certainly get drafted in Round 1, but in a stronger draft he'd be stuck as a second-round prospect who would not be assured of having an NBA career."


• Draft Express: "Although Brooks's name wasn't found on many draft boards prior to this season, he's been far too productive to ignore in 2010-2011. And while his upside may be perceived as somewhat limited since he's a senior who will turn 22 this month, his physical tools and continued improvement suggest that there is still room for growth. He will definitely be a player to keep an eye on ... as big-time wing scorers who can create their own shot and shoot 50% from the field don't grow on trees. There will still be questions about how his game will translate, and if he'll be able fit in and play a role at the pro level, but ... he will surely earn plenty of looks from NBA scouts."


• Swish Scout: "Dangerous scorer who has great versatility in his ability to put up points, but was an underrated defensive playmaker for the Friars in his senior season thanks to a ridiculous 7’2″ wingspan for the 6’5″ SG. Brooks will likely never have the ideal NBA build or supreme athleticism, but he has a great feel for the game on both ends of the court to warrant being a player who sees playing time on a nightly basis."

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