Ray Spalding
Page updated as of 4/10/2020, scouting report written by Alan Lu.
2018 rankings were finalized on 6/21/2018.
Height: 6-10
Weight: 215
College: Louisville
Classification: Junior
Birthdate: 3/11/1996
2018 Top 100 Prospect Rank: 50
Projected Draft Range: 2nd Round
2018 NBA Draft: Round 2, Pick 56 by the Philadelphia 76ers (rights traded to the Dallas Mavericks)
Pros:
Strong finisher around the basket
Excels at scoring on the move
Adequate low post scorer
Sets good screens on offense
Decent playmaker for a big man
Good rebounder
Good defender that can get blocks and steals
Solid athlete
Good motor
Cons:
Must improve his face-up game
Bad free throw shooter
Does not shoot the ball enough
Needs to improve his playmaking skills
May be fairly raw offensively
Struggles against stronger players
Can be quite foul prone
Can have lapses defensively
Needs to add strength
May potentially be a tweener
Summary:
Ray Spalding is a very athletic big man that may project to be a defensive specialist in the NBA. He can rebound and block shots, and there have been reports about his emerging jump shot over the summer.
Still, he has not really been much of an offensive force, as he does not really look to take shots, and he has not really looked to score often outside of the hoop area when he does so in college. Offensively, Spalding’s game may be a work in progress, but with his size, athleticism, and defensive potential, he could potentially be a second round pick in 2018.
Links:
ESPN’s Article on Spalding at the Adidas Nations
Games Scouted:
2/5/18 Louisville vs. Syracuse
2/8/18 Louisville vs. Georgia Tech
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