Can Doug McDermott Translate His Game at the Pro Level?

I say a resounding yes. Have you seen the man shoot? Not only is the Creighton star a seasoned four year collegiate player, but arguably the best shooter in College Basketball history. Sorry, Larry Bird. Sorry, Shawn Respert, Adam Morrison, JJ Reddick, and Ray Allen, move over.

In a recent crushing of the four seeded Villanova Wildcats, McDermott calmly cast an array of deep, pro-length threes from all over the court. Spinning off screens, stop and pops or flat guarded, the 6’8” swing hit on 7-12 from beyond the arc, finishing with 25 points.

He currently ranks 4th in the NCAA’s with his 24.8 point per game average. But it isn’t just the numbers. I wouldn’t be dumb enough to think it is.

McDermott will be compared to players like Adam Morrison (above) and Larry Bird. His ability to find his own identity will be a key factor in his success at the next level. By Davej1006 at en.wikipedia, from Wikimedia Commons

As most of you know, McDermott has a couple things going against him. He’s white (not that there’s anything wrong with that, but…), slower (in comparison to more athletic combo forwards), and average athletically (again, he’s white.) But he’s calm on the court, he’s a leader, he’s ready to run fluid ball sharing offensive sets, defensively good enough, and a gifted three point specialist.

The reason I think he’ll be better than just a stand-still shooter like J.J Redick, is found in his size. He’s a more agile dribbler in comparison to former lengthy college shooters like Adam Morrison, and with his height and weight (225 pounds), a more viable option both in and outside the post — Something Redick has never been able to be either in college or the NBA.

I would hope NBA executives would see what I see. He isn’t the sexy pick or probably an All Star or even a second option offensively, but as a third option or a sixth man, he could arguably be the steal in what should be the most talent-loaded NBA draft in ten years.

For me, his best comparison is a beefier version of Rex Chapman, a player who defied more athletic defenders with a catch-fire peripheral shot, intense demeanor and fearless ball handling. Chapman always wanted the ball in his hands at crucial times of the game, something McDermott clearly has no problem with, dropping 21 in the 2^nd half of a come from behind win, over Cincinnati in last season’s March bracket.

His ceiling comparison would be to Antawn Jamison, a perennial All Star and quiet offensive captain, able to play alongside two other stars. Like Jamison, McDermott prefers the periphery, but if need be, has the strength to post the block both fading away or driving hard to the rim.

He might not go early in this crazily talent-laden draft. But whoever gets him won’t be disappointed.