2017 NBA Draft Profile: Syracuse forward Tyler Lydon

BC_Lydon_1
Lydon was SU's best rebounder in 2017
BC_Lydon_1
Lydon was SU’s best rebounder in 2017

The NBA Draft is in June, and Syracuse has two players that will potentially get drafted. Today, we take a look at Tyler Lydon, who was one of SU’s most valuable players. He finished the season with averages of 13.1 points, 8.6 assists, 2.1 assists and 1.4 blocks per game.

Here is The Juice Online’s scouting report on Lydon:

Strengths: Prototypical NBA stretch four… NBA ready range on his jumper… High release and excellent stroke… Good footwork for a big man… Possesses reliable hook shot in the paint… Able to put the ball on the floor and create for his teammates… High basketball IQ… Always willing to make the extra pass… Despite thin frame, isn’t afraid to rebound inside, leading SU with 8.6 RPG… Capable help side defender on blocks… Can play multiple positions.

Weaknesses: Good, but not great athlete… Despite offensive talent, doesn’t have a scorer’s mentality… Too often deferred to teammates and disappeared for long stretches on offense… Wiry frame will hurt him as a 4 at the next level… Struggles to create his own shot… Lack of improvement from freshman to sophomore year can be concerning to upside… Lacks the strength to be an interior scorer… Lack of lateral quickness to guard small forwards.

» Related: Boeheim’s Army has meant ‘a lot’ to Syracuse basketball alums

NBA Comparison: Ryan Anderson. Anderson has made a career out of being a stretch 4, shooting a career 38.1 percent from beyond the arc. Last season in Houston’s open offense, he averaged 13.6 points and 4.6 rebounds, mostly on par with his career stats.

Vitals:

  • Birthdate: April 9, 1996
  • Hometown: Elizaville, NY
  • Position: Forward
  • School: Syracuse ’20
  • Height, 6’9″
  • Weight, 223 lbs

Projections:

College Highlights: Lydon was named an honorable mention All-ACC Selection and was also named to the USBWA All-District II team after leading the Orange in rebounding and finishing second in scoring. In his sophomore season, he was named to the preseason watch lists for the John R. Wooden Award, the Naismith Trophy Player of the Year Award, the Karl Malone Award and the Lute Olson Award.

Overall: In the right system, such as Houston, Lydon could be a perfect fit. There are few players of his size that possess the ability to shoot it as well as he can. Syracuse fans know that Lydon’s biggest impediment to stardom was himself. A slightly more selfish version of Lydon may end up having an 8-10 year career in the NBA.

For more Syracuse coverage, Like our Facebook page and follow us @TheJuiceOnline.

Avatar photo
About Wes Cheng 2907 Articles
Wes has worked for Rivals.com covering the New York Knicks, as well as for Scout.com covering Syracuse athletics. Wes has also been a contributing writer for the South China Morning Post (Hong Kong), for SportsNet New York (SNY) as a news desk writer covering all of New York professional sports, and reported on the NBA and MLB for the New York Sportscene. A native of Long Island, New York, Wes graduated from Syracuse University in 2005 with a degree in journalism. Contact him at wes[at]sujuiceonline.com.