FanPost

Ryan Boatright: Under-rated because of lack of size?

Ryan Boatright is the next point-guard to come out of UCONN, following Charlotte Hornets star Kemba Walker and 2014 late first-round pick Shabazz Napier. At this time Boatright ranks #93 in Draft Xpress' Top 100. I have not seen him mocked, in the first or second round, to anyone. Anywhere. How is a player that won a National Championships, as well as a player who averaged more than 17 points per game his senior season not seen as a draft-able player? The answer is simple. It is the same reason the Celtic's own Isaiah Thomas once went unpicked until the last pick in the draft a few years ago. Ryan Boatright is small.

Specifically, Ryan Boatright measured in at 5'10'' without shoes, 5'11'' with shoes, and 170 pounds at the 2015 NBA draft combine according to Draft Xpress. This does create some legitimate concerns. While Thomas has proved that a smaller player can succeed in the NBA, that should be considered the exception rather than the rule. Does Boatright have the strength to withstand NBA defenses? Will he be knocked off of his spot, and pushed around? Will he find it difficult to get his shot off against NBA defenders? Will he be able to withstand the rigors of 82 game season and stay healthy? Will he be a liability on defense?

I think Boatright could possibly be under-rated, and a value as an undrafted free agent. Boatright has long been a versatile and talented player for UCONN. Playing his heart out every game. Winning championships. Hitting threes, diving for loose balls, and using his speed and athletic ability to penetrate the paint. He was able to play a key role in his final 3 seasons at Connecticut. Including shooting over 40% from 3 point range, and averaging more than 17 points per game as the team's primary point guard his senior season. During his seasons playing alongside Walker and Napier he was able to play off the ball. Both on offense, as a proficient catch-and-shoot player, and someone able to drive close-outs as well as on defense. Frequently defending players anywhere from 3 to 6 inches taller than him. UCONN ranked 29th in the country in defense last season. And was a top defense during every year Boatright played there, including when he mainly played as the off-guard. Similarly to Thomas, I think Boatright is a player that will be able to use his superior speed and ball-handling ability to get to the rim, play in the pick and roll as the ball-handler, and use his shooting ability to hit threes and keep defenses honest. Boatright needs to put on some weight to improve finishing through contact, but he has the speed and the handle to get to the rim. Boatright also has the drive necessary to succeed at the next level. He has the Heart of a Lion. He plays with a lot of effort and intensity.

What Boatright needs to prove to NBA scouts and general managers is that he can consistently play the point. He was only UCONN's primary point guard for one season. He is already undersized at the 1, and is WAY too small to play the 2 in the NBA. Though his versatility and ability to play off the ball on offense is something he has going for him. He needs to prove that he can slow down, he frequently played at a frenetic pace and occasionally would allow himself to make mistakes by playing out of control. I think this is a product of his ridiculous motor and intensity, but in the NBA every possession counts, and a point guard cannot afford to make mistakes. He will need to prove that he can defend without being a liability. Defense was a strength of his at the NCAA level, but defending in the NBA at his size will prove much more difficult than it was in college.

All in all, I understand why Ryan Boatright is rated where he is by mock drafters and scouting websites. He is very small, is already 22 years old, played for 4 years in college, and 3 of which were under the shadow of Walker and Napier. As a biased UCONN fan I think he has a long career as a hard-working, intense, versatile role player with a crazy motor ahead of him. During the unlikely 2014 championship run I often wondered if he had better pro prospects than Napier. He was faster, more athletic, a better defender, and more versatile. And perhaps a better three point shooter. Granted he has less experience as a lead guard, and was more in-consistent with his decision making, more prone to playing a bit out of control.

For what it's worth, Michigan State's Tom Izzo thinks Boatright is a possible NBA player. This is an excerpt from a recent Hartford Courant article about Boatright's combine. (Emphasis mine.)

Michigan State's Tom Izzo was among the prominent college coaches in attendance, and he vouches for Boatright's ability to play at the next level.

"We played [UConn] the year before and they beat us," Izzo said. "[Boatright] was unbelievable. He played so hard, he played well. He was so good defensively. Kevin [Ollie] did a great job with that team. Boatright played well against us, I can just tell you that. He played so good defensively it was scary."

Again, full disclosure, I am a UCONN fan. I am biased. However, I honestly believe Boatright deserves to be a mid to late second round pick. Picking him up as a possible undrafted free agent should be a no brainer. He'd have a non-guaranteed minimum contract. No risk, possibly high reward. Boatright is more athletic, better in traffic, better handle when driving, more versatile and a better defender. Napier needed to milk the super long shot clock and rock his defender's to sleep before nailing a step back. Boatright is able to play fast, perhaps too fast at times, and shoot with a defender in his grill. Regardless, Boatright is worth a flyer as an undrafted free agent. Just to see if he can overcome his small size. Especially considering 2 things: Boatright is going to work his tail off. Boatright is going to play like his hair is on fire, ever play, every game.

I will leave you with a couple youtube videos worth watching if I have piqued your curiosity, and links to sites and articles I used as sources.

Hartford Courant Boatright Story

Draft Xpress Boatright Player Profile

Basketball INsiders Boatright Combine

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