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NBA Draft 2016
6'3 Combo guard D'Vauntes Smith-Rivera is nothing if not a divisive prospect. The stocky guard out of GTown can play either perimeter position though would struggle to guard the two at the next level He has a plus offensive game but can often be maddening on the defensive end of the court, despite a try hard attitude. If DSR is going to come off the board, it will likely be in the back end of the draft as teams hope he grows and improves on the back end of their roster.
STRENGTHS:
- Shooting: While he shot just 33% from deep last season, that number was the lowest of his career with the caveat that he was taking nearly seven 3-pointers a game on a team with few scoring options. The senior shot 81 percent from the line and often exhibited effortless range.
- Ball Handling: Smith-Rivera has a tight handle and uses his body well to shield defenders. He's a bit stocky at 6-foot-3, 220 but carries his weight well. DSR had a A/TO ratio greater than 2:1 and turned the ball over just over two times per game.
- Leadership: Last year's Georgetown team was nothing short of putrid. I'm honestly not sure we've seen a worst team in the last decade for the Hoyas. All that said, DSR did an incredible job of keeping that team to together. Without Smith-Rivera, last year could've blown up in the most embarrassing way for the Hoyas.
Weaknesses
- Defense: Too small to guard NBA shooting guards, probably not quick enough to guard NBA point guard. Honestly, I'm really not sure how you run DSR out there in the NBA to defend anyone, and that's being pleasant.
- Passing: While Smith-Rivera was expected to do a lot of scoring for G'Town last year, he was incredibly ball-dominant and rarely created anything. Less than five assists per game in 35-plus minutes is a bit disappointing and his range of passing is really nothing to get excited about.
- Size: At 6-foot-3, there's a place for you in the NBA at point guard if you have elite quickness or shooting. DSR has solid-to-plus shooting and average-at-best quickness. I'm not sure he's quick enough to guard ones at the next level and certainly that's problematic at 6-foot-3 with a 6-foot-3 1/2 wingspan.