2016 Houston Rockets Draft Prospect Series: Deyonta Davis, Michigan State

The Houston Rockets enter the upcoming 2016 NBA Draft without a top draft pick by virtue of making the post season. Unfettered the Rockets still hope to nab a star prospect with the potential to effect immediate results.  Over the next month SCS will look at the draft prospects   with a view to team fit and what moves would need to occur to get that pick. Is Deyonta Davis a prospect worth trading for?

Draft Prospect:

Specifics:

• Height: 6’11”
• Weight: 237
• Country: America – Muskegon, Michigan
• Position: Power Forward/Center
• Age: 19
• Reach: 9’1″
• Wingspan: 7’3″
• College or Pro League: Michigan State, Freshman
• Stat line: 35 Games, 7.5Points Per Game, 5.5 Rebounds Per Game, 0.7 Assists Per Game

Current Rank:

ESPN Chad Ford: 16th

Draft Express: 9th

NBA Scott Howard Cooper: 11th

Bleacher Report: 11th

The Skills:

Chad Ford lists Deyonta Davis skill set as defending and leaping.

Any player who Tom Izzo raves about deserves a second look from GM’s. It took Davis the first portion of the year to figure out how to stay on the floor, but there was palpable progress made in the latter half of the season.

He’s a skilled rebounder and shot blocker, but doesn’t offer much offense outside the paint. Having said that, he is a worker who’ll invest in shot improvement and commit to getting better.

The pundits rank him in the middle of the first round though Ford is less sold on his value. He strikes me as the old school prototypical big with great defensive ability and the capacity to grow.

Honors and Awards:

As per Wikipedia:

• McDonald’s All-American (2015)
• First-team Parade All-American (2015)
• Mr. Basketball of Michigan (2015)
• MHSAA Class A champion (2014)

The Fit:

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As mentioned previously the glut of talent at power forward for the Rockets makes adding another defensive minded project seem unnecessary. Moreover, with Capela being an in close paint protector/offensive center it doesn’t make sense to add another player of the same ilk.

Final Thoughts

This prospect doesn’t make sense to trade assets for when the Rockets have so many other areas of the roster to fix.

Be sure to check out our continuing Draft Prospect Series and our Year End Player Reviews!

Next: Houston Rockets SCS Roundtable Part 1

Next: Houston Rockets SCS Roundtable Part 2

Next: Houston Rockets SCS Roundtable Part 3

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