Thaddeus Young: NBA Draft Profile

College: Georgia Tech

Class: Freshman

Stats: ESPN.com 

Position: SF

Height: 6”8”

Weight: 217lbs

Accolades:  McDonald’s All-American – high school (06), Second Team Parade All-American – high school (06), Tennessee Gatorade Player of the Year – high school (06), Tennessee Class AA Mr. Basketball – high school (05), Second Team All-American – Street & Smiths – high school (05).

Scouting Report:  A physically gifted inside/outside threat.

Strengths:  Tremendous “upside”.  Very athletic.  Good size for the small forward spot.  Can score off the dribble – utilizes floaters.  Very long – has a 7-foot wingspan.  Has three-point range on his jumper.  An explosive scorer – topped the 20-point mark six times his freshman year.  Can post up smaller men or take advantage of larger defenders out on the perimeter. 

Weaknesses: Very inconsistent – 30 points one game, eight points the next.  Still very young – will only turn 19 right around the time of the draft.  Questionable shot selection at times.  Should be a better rebounder due to his size and athleticism.  Could use his length better on the defensive end – doesn’t block shots.

Projected 2007 Draft Range: Mid first round pick (2007 or 2008).

Consensus:  Young is still far from realizing his vast potential and a solid, yet unspectacular, freshman season seems to have hurt his draft stock a bit.  The physical tools are there to make Young a special NBA player – his game just needs some more seasoning before he is an impact player in the pros.

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= 6th Man/Fringe Starter