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NBA Draft 2019 Prospect Watch: Louis King

By Scott Romportl

SAN JOSE, CALIFORNIA - MARCH 24: Louis King #2 of the Oregon Ducks celebrates after a basket in the second half against the UC Irvine Anteaters during the second round of the 2019 NCAA Men's Basketball Tournament at SAP Center on March 24, 2019 in San Jose, California. (Photo by Yong Teck Lim/Getty Images)
SAN JOSE, CALIFORNIA - MARCH 24: Louis King #2 of the Oregon Ducks celebrates after a basket in the second half against the UC Irvine Anteaters during the second round of the 2019 NCAA Men's Basketball Tournament at SAP Center on March 24, 2019 in San Jose, California. (Photo by Yong Teck Lim/Getty Images) /
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SAN JOSE, CA – MARCH 24: (Photo by Brian Rothmuller/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)
SAN JOSE, CA – MARCH 24: (Photo by Brian Rothmuller/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images) /

Strengths

The offensive side of the ball is where King stands out in regards to future NBA projection, and it starts with perimeter shooting.

Shooting 38 percent from three-point range in his Freshman season, King showed no fear or hesitation with getting off shots from long range. Standing at 6’9” with over a 7-foot wingspan, he has the ideal height and length for an NBA wing that may project 3-point range out to 25 feet.

Being a shot-maker at all three levels, King also could get creative from mid-range and around the rim. Though not elite with the ball like fellow wing and late first round prospect Kevin Porter Jr., he can get to his spot with his excellent handle and his length will take over to where he’ll almost always get a clean shot off especially with high arching shot.

While less important in 2019 NBA offenses, he does have an affinity for isolation mid-range pull-ups or floaters, sometimes doing so after three-point shot fakes. At times he becomes a little wild or over-aggressive with these less efficient shots, but college offenses aren’t exactly a model of efficiency.

On the defensive end, a team would have to bet on the height/length (an unreachable trait), to project into an ultra-athletic switchable wing defender. The foundation is certainly there, and NBA level strength programs and coaching will likely be the best thing for King’s eventual defensive impact.

Michael Scotto of The Athletic recently spoke with with five NBA talent evaluators. One NBA team scout quoted within Scotto’s recent piece had especially positive reviews of King’s projection which echo some of the strengths listed above:

"“NBA Scout 1: He looks the part. He’s athletic. He can shoot. He can dribble. He checks a lot of boxes. He has the potential to be one of the better wings in the class as a 3-and-D. He’s got to fill out. Right now I think a lot of it is upside and he needs to be with the right organization to get where he wants to go (as a player). He has the measurables to be a better defender. It’s going to come down to can you get him to do it?”"

Watching the highlight video below, you will see these traits stand out. King will be drafted for shotmaking at all levels, secondary or tertiary ball handling, and his terrific length for an NBA wing. If the right coach and right system can uncover additional defensive impact, King may be a draft steal late in the first or in the second round.

https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=mvcC7Kzi_G4

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