Milwaukee Bucks 2022 NBA Draft Scouting Report: Jake LaRavia

With the 2022 NBA draft rapidly approaching the Milwaukee Bucks have a lot of different routes they can go with the 24th pick. There are a lot of inviting prospects in the Bucks’ pick range, including Wake Forest standout Jake LaRavia. He is a versatile wing with great size, athleticism, and feel for the game, and he has an opportunity to become a well-rounded NBA player. LaRavia earned Second-team All-Conference honors with the Demon Deacons this past season. His draft stock has been rising due to a modest performance at the draft combine, and a misreporting of age. LaRavia was originally reported to be 22 years old, but he is actually only 20. If available, LaRavia would be a suitable fit for Milwaukee. Let’s take a look at his strengths and weaknesses.

Jake LaRavia

Team: Wake Forest

Position: Forward

Height: 6″8

Weight: 227 lbs

Draft Age: 20

Stats: 14.6 PPG, 6.6 RPG, 3.7 RPG, 1.7 SPG, 1.0 BPG

55.9 percent from the field, 38.4 percent from 3, 77.7 percent from the line

Milwaukee Bucks Draft Scouting Report: Jake LaRavia – Strengths

Efficiency/shooting

Jake LaRavia was efficient from all three levels in his first and only season at Wake Forest. 56/38/77 shooting splits as a second option is nothing to just shrug about. Having a reliable jumper and the tools to score at the rim opens up flowing opportunities on offense. LaRavia also shot 61 percent from two-point range, so the efficiency is most definitely there. Finishing in the 82nd percentile in jump shooting, 98th in post ups, and 89th in finishing will definitely entice scouts.  On top of the efficiency, he showed a continual willingness to move the ball and find the open man. There are several bright spots in his game offensively.

Defensive IQ

LaRavia showed he understood the game on both ends for the Demon Deacons this past season. Whether it was jumping the passing lanes, blocking a shot, or making a defensive rotation, LaRavia utilized his IQ in many different facets, including some exciting dunks. LaRavia tied for the second best time in the shuttle run at this year’s combine with a time of 2.89 seconds, which directly attests to his hustle and mobility, as well as his hustle on and off the ball defensively. He also finished 3rd in lane agility at the combine with a time of 10.58 seconds. LaRavia, in my opinion, is one of the better off-ball defenders in this year’s draft.

Defensive Versatility

Any time a player averages a block and a steal in a power-5 conference, they have to have some sort of skill on the defensive end. On top of his ball hawking mentality, LaRavia also demonstrated that he can switch onto guards effectively, which is where his shuttle run time comes into play. Having the ability to guard multiple positions is something that usually sets you aside from most players. LaRavia’s 6-foot 9.5-inch wingspan makes it at least somewhat difficult for opponents to find good looks in a 1v1 situation. LaRavia’s biggest strong suit is his off-ball defense.