Epitomizing ‘work in progress’ NBA Draft prospect Chandler Hutchison brings his retooled game to the pros.
For NBA Draft prospect Chandler Hutchison his journey to the pros has required copious adjustments and diligent effort. Arguably of all the prospects in this class Hutchison has undergone the most drastic shifts. Specifically Hutchison re-tooled his mechanics and fundamental approach to his game.
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The results have paid dividends as his ascent continues upward. A glance at the swingman’s rookie season versus his senior year showcases palpable examples of his progress. Every key category is substantially improved. As for shooting efficiency while his field goal percentage took a minor dip, it is easily explained given his uptick in 3-point shots as he doubled his attempts this past season.
Last summer the Boise wing man tested the waters at the NBA Draft Combine and subsequently elected to return to Idaho to complete his senior year.
This season he arrives to the NBA Draft full of confidence in his abilities and believing he’s ready to take the jump into the pros.
Player specifics:
- Height: 6’7″
- Weight: 193 lbs
- Wingspan: 7’1″
- Position: Shooting Guard
- Age: 22.0
- College: Boise State, Senior
- Home town: Mission Viejo, California
Statline:
| Season | G | GS | MP | FG | FGA | FG% | 3P | 3PA | 3P% | FT | FTA | FT% | ORB | DRB | TRB | AST | STL | BLK | PTS |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2014-15 | 29 | 18 | 12.3 | 1.1 | 3.0 | .356 | 0.1 | 0.5 | .286 | 0.8 | 1.3 | .649 | 0.8 | 1.2 | 2.0 | 0.8 | 0.5 | 0.1 | 3.1 |
| 2015-16 | 31 | 8 | 19.8 | 2.6 | 5.2 | .497 | 0.1 | 0.4 | .231 | 1.6 | 2.5 | .636 | 1.6 | 2.5 | 4.1 | 1.3 | 0.7 | 0.4 | 6.8 |
| 2016-17 | 32 | 32 | 31.7 | 6.5 | 13.1 | .495 | 0.8 | 2.2 | .377 | 3.7 | 5.5 | .665 | 1.2 | 6.6 | 7.8 | 2.6 | 1.2 | 0.2 | 17.4 |
| 2017-18 | 31 | 31 | 31.0 | 6.6 | 13.9 | .475 | 1.5 | 4.1 | .359 | 5.3 | 7.2 | .728 | 0.9 | 6.8 | 7.7 | 3.5 | 1.5 | 0.3 | 20.0 |
| Career | 123 | 89 | 24.0 | 4.3 | 8.9 | .476 | 0.6 | 1.8 | .353 | 2.9 | 4.2 | .687 | 1.1 | 4.3 | 5.5 | 2.1 | 1.0 | 0.2 | 12.0 |
Provided by CBB at Sports Reference: View Original Table
Generated 6/12/2018.
Skills:
The fundamental changes began with Hutchison’s shooting stroke as he revamped his mechanics and the speed in which he took shots. Further adjustments were made in his footwork, ball handling and balance. All of these tweaks led to an increased shooting efficiency and better overall offensive variety.
As Hutchison ended each workout getting up 600 perimeter attempts it also speaks to the prospects work ethic, diligence and ability to process new concepts.
The time spent on footwork and ball handling further augmented Hutchison’s ability to better perform drives, spin moves and improve as a play maker.
All of these enhancements made huge dividends in his senior season when as the primary scoring option he posted 20 points per game. Defensively the Bronco offers several transferable tangible assets. His 7’1″ wingspan affords him the ability to cut off passing lanes and create steals. And, his 7.7 rebounds per game is above average for his position.
Weaknesses:
The work to overhaul Hutchison’s game isn’t complete as he still needs to improve his ball handling so he can create and shoot off the dribble.
Like everything Hutchison has undertaken his overall game is a work in progress. Along with his ball handling skills the wingman needs to focus on increasing his foot speed. This latter so he can be faster laterally (on defense) and to improve his drives (on offense).
Chandler Hutchison added 10 pounds of muscle each offseason, so while he enters the pros with an NBA ready body he’ll need to straddle adding too much bulk at the price of losing speed.
While there is no denying Hutchinson’s growth and improvements as a senior he’ll be viewed by some teams as a finished product which could work to his disadvantage.
Awards and honors:
- Two time first-team honoree, Mountain West Division (2017, 2018)
- All-Defensive Team, Mountain West Division (2018)
- Wooden Award – Preseason, 2017-18
Pro comparison:
Kevin O’Connor offers up Jared Dudley, Ryan Gomes and Justin Anderson. Although Anderson and Dudley are (or have been) serviceable reserve contributors I’m not sure it is who Hutchison should be seeking to emulate. First of all, I doubt Dudley ever possessed the sheer athleticism of Hutchison. And aside from Anderson the defensive acumen of the above trio is far below the standard the wingman should aim to achieve.
A notably quote from the Bronco which stuck with me was his foresight in carving out his own niche.
"“Guys are being paid hundreds of millions of dollars to have the ball in their hands. So I want to be able to show how I can be effective without the ball.”"
With this attitude, something tells me if Hutchison lands on the right squad he very well could continue his steady progress upward.
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Current ranking:
ESPN/DraftExpress: 33rd
The Ringer: 22nd
Draft Net: 22nd
CBS Sports: 25th
Sports Illustrated: 17th
Bleacher Report: 21st
Basketball Insider: 29th
Sporting News: 26th
Fit with OKC Thunder:
The consensus for Chandler Hutchison should find him being drafted near the end of the first round. Without no picks until the second round Sam Presti would need to work some of his typical magic to even consider the swingman. And, for as much as OKC could use a 3-and-D specialist Hutchison appears better suited for a reserve role at least initially.
While it might appear as mixed signals in terms of my penchant for Khyri Thomas the difference here is the Thunder have Terrance Ferguson and Alex Abrines who Hutchison would be sparring with to garner minutes.
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Moreover, the Thunder also have Josh Huestis who has similar qualities to Hutchison. Rumor has it Hutchison has already secured a promise for a first round selection therefore this exercise may all be a moot point.