The NBA Draft is in June, and Syracuse has two players that will potentially get drafted. Today, we take a look at Michael Gbinije, who was one of the top players in the ACC. Gbinije led the team in scoring (17.5), assists (4.3) and steals (1.9) in his senior season.
Here is The Juice Online’s scouting report on Gbinije:
Strengths: At 6’7″, 200 pounds, possesses excellent size for a wing… Versatile player having logged time at shooting guard, small forward, and starting point guard in his senior season… Good court vision… Above average outside shooter, hitting over 39 percent from downtown in his junior and senior seasons… Ability to create his own shot and also catch-and-shoot… Fundamentally sound player with good basketball IQ… Strong enough to finish around the basket… Good defensive instincts allowed him to lead team in steals… Unselfish player who enjoys getting his teammates involved.
» Related: 2016 NBA Draft Profile: Syracuse G Malachi Richardson
Weaknesses: While Gbinije is solid in every category, he does not excel at one particular skill… Good, but not great athlete… Turnover prone, possessing 4.3:2.8 ast/TO ratio as primary ball handler… Needs to improve at the free throw line (66 percent)… As a fifth-year senior, he will be 24 heading into the next season… Upside is limited… Does not possess ability to blow by a defender at next level.
NBA Comparison: Tony Wroten. The current Knicks combo guard is a similar build (6’6″, 205 pounds) to Gbinije, and, like Gbinije, can play three different positions on the floor. Gbinije is a better shooter (Wroten has shot just 41.3 percent during his career), but Wroten has proven his ability to finish inside. Wroten has also used his size to emerge as a capable defender in the NBA.
Vitals:
- Birthdate: June 5, 1992
- Hometown: Richmond, Va.
- Position: Guard/Forward
- School: Syracuse ’16
- Height, 6’7″
- Weight, 200 lbs
Projections:
- NBADraft.net: 2nd round, 38th pick (Milwaukee Bucks)
- Draftexpress.com: 2nd round, 53rd pick (Denver Nuggets)
College Highlights: Gbinije was named All-ACC Second Team and All-ACC Defensive Team in his fifth season at Syracuse. Gbinije was in double-figures for every game, with 23 points against Middle Tennessee State in the second round of the NCAA Tournament, and 20 against Gonzaga in the Sweet 16. He notched a career-high 34 points on 8-13 shooting from downtown in a 75-66 win over NC State in February.
Overall: In the right system, Gbinije could carve out a niche for himself in the NBA. While he doesn’t possess a plus-plus NBA ability in any category, his Swiss Army Knife skill set could be attractive as a solid bench option.
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