Justin Patton
Page updated as of 4/8/2020, scouting report written by Alan Lu. 2017 rankings were finalized on 6/22/2017.
Height: 6-11
Weight: 225
College: Creighton
Classification: Redshirt Freshman
Birthdate: 6/14/1997
2017 Top 100 Prospect Rank: 18
Projected Draft Range: Mid to Late 1st Round
2017 NBA Draft: Round 1, Pick 16 by the Chicago Bulls (rights traded to the Minnesota Timberwolves)
Pros:
Strong finisher around the basket
Excels at scoring on the move
Adequate low post scorer
Has stretch big potential
Great hands
Good passer for a big man
Good rebounder
Good defensive player that can get steals
Good shot blocker
Terrific athlete
Rock solid motor
Cons:
Awful free throw shooter
May need to improve his low post game
May need to improve his face up game
Can be careless on offense, which can lead to turnovers
Can be foul prone
Summary:
Justin Patton is a very athletic big man that could excel as a defensive specialist in the NBA. He is a high motor player that has terrific hands, as he will catch virtually everything thrown in his path, and he excels at catching lob passes to score on alley-oop dunks.
He can get numerous baskets by scoring on hustle plays, as he will run the floor to beat his man down court, and he will roll hard to the hoop after setting screens for his team. Patton rarely takes a bad shot, and he also may have the ability to develop into a stretch big, as he has made threes in limited attempts so far.
Plus, he also passes the ball well for a player his size, and he is also a good rebounder and interior defender. Patton has great athletic gifts, as this allows him to make plenty of plays on the ball defensively. But sometimes, he can be overly aggressive, which can lead him to commit fouls on occasion.
Patton has a very good set of skills that has allowed him to gain serious traction as a draft prospect. As he profiles to be a very athletic rim protector at the next level, he could end up being a potential lottery pick this year.
Links:
Games Scouted:
11/20/16 Creighton vs. NC State
12/31/16 Creighton vs. Villanova
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