NBA Draft 2019 Prospect Watch: Eric Paschall
By Adam McGee
Strengths
Put simply, Paschall is a very well-rounded player who has skills that can be pointed to in almost all areas of his game. Not to sound too much like Jason Kidd here, but he’s a basketball player.
Paschall has an intriguing variety of offensive skills. The New York native boasts competent ball-handling and distribution for his size, displays enough athleticism and speed to channel his power and strength into strong finishes at the basket, offers signs of an improving jump shot, and is a willing screener and cutter when working off the ball.
Paschall may not be elite in any of those areas individually, but above-average competency across the board makes him a fundamentally sound and intriguing offensive cog in the context of a larger system.
The shooting will be key to just how successful Paschall can be at the next level, but there are positive signs already in his willingness to take on a variety of shot types (catch-and-shoot, and off the dribble) at a higher volume in his senior season. With an increased role, Paschall attempted 5.6 triples per game in his senior season with the Wildcats, making 34.8 percent of them.
On the opposite side of the floor, Paschall displays a willingness to embrace the challenge which, when coupled with his strength and solid lateral movement, gives him real potential to be an impactful defender at the next level.
Paschall became Villanova’s lockdown defender in late-game situations, and has spoken about how much he enjoyed that experience:
"“It’s fun taking on all [defensive] challenges. Against quickness, I try to slide and use my length to keep them in front of me. With big guys, I chest them. I use my strength when they try to back me down and not let them get to the spot where the want to.”"
Paschall could certainly be characterized as a high-motor, high-character and high-IQ player, but none of that should lead to his fundamental skills being overlooked. He may not have the tools to be an NBA star, but he could certainly develop into a highly effective role player at the pro level.