Jarred Vanderbilt is one of the most underrated wings in the NBA Draft.
The University of Kentucky is undoubtedly a college basketball powerhouse. A blue blood. With so much depth, talented players often do not get the minutes needed to display their NBA level skill sets.
In a log-jam behind first round prospect Kevin Knox, that was the case for Jarred Vanderbilt. The talent is there for Jarred Vanderbilt, who was only allowed to clock in for 17-minutes a game.
How this projects into the NBA game will be the biggest question since the onus has been all about floor spacing and positionless basketball. Looking at Vanderbilt the potential is there, but here are questions regarding how many boxes he can check off as his game grows.
Let’s dive into the specifics and decipher if Vanderbilt should be a NBA prospect the OKC Thunder should select with one of their two draft picks.
Related: Top 15 NBA Draft picks in OKC Thunder franchise history
Player specifics:
- Height: 6’9″
- Weight: 214
- Wingspan: 7’1″
- Position: Wing
- Age: 19
- College: Kentucky, Freshman
- Home town: Missouri City, Texas
Statline:
| School | G | GS | MP | FG% | 2P% | 3P% | FT% | TRB | AST | STL | BLK | TOV | PTS |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Kentucky | 14 | 0 | 17.0 | .426 | .433 | .000 | .632 | 7.9 | 1.0 | 0.4 | 0.8 | 1.1 | 5.9 |
| Kentucky | 14 | 0 | 17.0 | .426 | .433 | .000 | .632 | 7.9 | 1.0 | 0.4 | 0.8 | 1.1 | 5.9 |
Provided by CBB at Sports Reference: View Original Table
Generated 6/20/2018.
Skills:
Jarred Vanderbilt has the measurements to play the power forward position as well as small forward in the modern day NBA. For the OKC Thunder, they have even stuck Jerami Grant at the center position who stands 6’8, compared to Vanderbilt’s 6’9 stature.
Jarred Vanderbilt has a great ability to slash to the basket on-and-off ball. Unlike most prospects in this years NBA Draft, Jarred Vanderbilt is a great rebounder already.
Jarred Vanderbilt like Jerami Grant, can play the three through five position on the floor. He lacks an ability to shoot the basketball, but is great around the rim.
Weaknesses:
Jarred Vanderbilt needs to gain lower body strength, while his upper body has filled out nicely, his legs trail in this regard. He is very left hand dominate, especially around the rim. Struggles to stroke the 3-ball which is key in today’s NBA.
As a passer, Jarred Vanderbilt has as tendency to turn the ball over, trying too hard to make his passes highlight reel worthy. Lastly, Jarred Vanderbilt struggles to get back in transition on defense.
Awards and honors:
- Top-20 prospect out of High School
- USA Junior National Team member
Jarred Vanderbilt comes from a long line of successful player:
3 straight years. 3 Houston Hoops Kentucky commits...DeAaron Fox, Jarred Vanderbilt, now Tyrese Maxey.
— Houston Hoops (@HoustonHoops17U) May 9, 2018
Pro comparison:
Luc a Mbah Moute is being thrown around as a comparison for Jarred Vanderbilt. If Jarred Vanderbilt can reach that potential while being drafted in the 40’s or even 50’s, that franchise will be ecstatic.
Luc Mbah Moute was a second round pick himself, with the 37th selection in the 2008 NBA Draft. Last year, the crafty veteran was one of the best players off the deadly Houston Rockets bench.
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Current ranking:
ESPN/DraftExpress: 55
The Ringer: 45
Draft Net: 46
CBS Sports: 41
Fit with OKC Thunder:
The Oklahoma City Thunder do not have a first round pick, or even an early second round pick, in the NBA Draft. Finding a player that can give key minutes in the NBA with a pick like the 53rd selection is huge. Jarred Vanderbilt could do just that.
With the 53rd pick, the OKC Thunder would get an athletic, non-shooter with decent defensive ability, that can play all around the floor. Sound familiar? It seems a lot like half the players on the OKC Thunder roster already. He fits the Thunder way, but is that the right way to build a team?