OKC Thunder draft prospect profile: Tyler Bey

Colorado wing Tyler Bey is projected to be available when the OKC Thunder selects at 25 but he’s not the ideal target.

Tyler Bey comes with the tag of ‘potential’. The junior didn’t demonstrate much growth across the key areas from his sophomore to junior season at Colorado. He projects to be on the board when the OKC Thunder make their first round selection with the 25th pick.

Of the potential options Sam Presti can pick in this spot Tyler Bey is not at the top of the list. Let’s dive into why he’s less compelling than his counterparts.

Tyler Bey draft prospect preview:

Specifics:

• Height: 6’7″
• Weight: 218 pounds
• Wingspan: 7’1′
• Position:  Wing
• Birthdate/Age: February 10, 1998,  22. 9 years
• College: Colorado, junior
• Stat line: 13.8 points, 9.0 rebounds, 1.5 assists, 1.5 steals, and  1.2 blocks
• Home Town: Las Vegas, Nevada

Provided by CBB at Sports Reference: View Original Table
Generated 11/16/2020.

Current Ranking:

Projected to be selected as early as 23rd and as late as 45th in the second round. .

• The Ringer: 36th
• NBA DraftNet: 24th
• ESPN: 28th
• CBS Sports: 45th
• NBA: 23rd
• Sports Illustrated: 30th
• Bleacher Report: 31st

Strengths:

• As noted potential is the key with Bey
• If he can continute to shoot the perimeter shot with efficiency the combination of his inside game and deep ball make him a difficult cover
• Defensive effort and acumen are in concert
• Shows equal strength defensively in man on man, as a help defender or in team system
• Excellent shot blocker

More from Thunderous Intentions

• Stealing one player from every Southwest Division team for the OKC Thunder
• Should the OKC Thunder chase after a disgruntled hometown hero?
• 3 OKC Thunder players who can step up in Aleksej Pokusevski’s absence
• Aleksej Pokusevski sidelined approximately 6 weeks with ankle injury
• Damian Lillard does not fit with the OKC Thunder

Weaknesses:

• Just as it is a strength his ability to consistently hit the deep ball is equally a weakness — if he can’t do it consistently his offense is limited.
• Shooting fundamentals are concerning with more than a few things that need to be fixed
• Poor ball handling skills
• Doesn’t read game quickly which will exponentially increase in the faster paced NBA

Pro Comparison:

Kevin O’Connor of the Ringer Otto Porter, Trevor Ariza, thinner Larry Nance Jr. as possible NBA comparisons.

The Ariza and Porter alignment should come with a big star beside it since this assessment is based on a continual upward tick in his growth. That wasn’t the case this past season where the leveled off.

OKC Thunder fit:

Andre Roberson also attended Colorado and there are some who feel Bey could have a similar result in the pros. Again, I’m not in this faction since Roberson was an eltie level defender from the beginning and Bey is siimply not near that elite level yet.

Having said that, there seems to be a large contingent who believe Bey will improve and his game will blossum in the pros. Personally, I’d rather the Thunder bring back Dre on an economical contrat because with ARob I know what I’m getting and he’ll be an invaluable leadership voice for the numerous youngsters on the roster.