2016 Houston Rockets Draft Prospect Series: Malcolm Brogdon

The 2016 NBA Draft will take place on Thursday June 23rd with the Houston Rockets selecting 37th and 43rd. With that Space City Scoop is featuring a Draft Prospect Series covering 60 of the top ranked prospects. Next up is Malcolm Brogdon

Draft Prospect:

Specifics:

Height: 6′”6
Weight: 223 lbs
Country: America, Atlanta, Georgia
Position: Shooting Guard
Age: 23.5
Reach: 8′.2″
Wingspan: 6’10.5″
College or Pro League: Virginia, Senior
Stat line: 37 Games, 18.2 Points Per Game, 4.1 Rebounds Per Game, 3.1 Assists Per Game

Current Rank:

Please note, the rankings below come from the most up to date versions as the time of writing. That said not all the mock drafts provide second round ranks or updates often only extend to the end of the first round.

Therefore, if you check a ranking and note the number has changed it’s likely due to updates and a shift in the rankings.

ESPN Chad Ford: 38

Draft Express: 44

NBA Scott Howard Cooper: 37

Bleacher Report: 43

The Skills:

If you are looking for a player with character and high basketball I.Q Malcom Brogdon fits the bill. Sure he’s an older candidate among the prospects but teams who have solid cores and want a contributing rookie will need to give Brogdon a second and third look.

Brogdon won’t knock you out with any one asset, rather his fundamentals are so strong across the board it makes for few weaknesses. He can handle the ball and make wise decisions when under pressure. He can shoot when it’s called for and is able to score even under pressure. He’s also a guy who’ll play with energy and go the extra mile to come up with loose balls, get deflections and steals or grab a rebound when the paint is congestion. In short he’s like a young Andre Iguodala type who may not steal the headlines but his presence on the court makes all line-ups better.

This also translates to his defense where he’s demonstrated the ability to play within the team’s defensive strategies. When you add in his NBA ready body, large hands, natural defensive instincts and above average I.Q. it all bodes well for Brogdon to be a lock down defender but carve out a niche for himself to be a contributing pro for years to come.

While he’s listed as falling somewhere between the late 30’s and mid 40’s I won’t be surprised to see him leap up into the late first round since he’s a player you can give minutes immediately in the NBA.

Weaknesses:

It seems strange to say there are lenty of things Brogdon can improve on, but none of them are concerns.

Perhaps the most worrisome for some clubs will be the slightly wonky shot that can regress back to issues he had early in his career. Teams with great development coaches and staffs won’t find that a concern given all the upside he offers elsewhere. Sure he’ll need to work on aspects of his game that his lack of physicality has limited, but his penchant for having a high motor and putting in the work speaks volumes.

Let’s put it this way, he’s the type of player I wouldn’t be surprised to see San Antonio select.

Honors and Awards:

As per Wikipedia:

Consensus second-team All-American (2015)
Consensus first-team All-American (2016)
NABC Defensive Player of the Year (2016)
ACC Player of the Year (2016)
3× First-team All-ACC (2014–2016)
2× ACC Defensive Player of the Year (2015, 2016)

The Fit:

More from Space City Scoop

Sure, sure I’ve repeatedly said the Rockets last position to look at drafting for is the shooting guard since James Harden gets the predominant minutes there.

That said if you could add an Andre Iguodala type player without having to trade up to get him wouldn’t you consider it?

The fact Brogdon offers defense and can either run a team of play alongside another guard to be the second play maker along with all the intangibles he brings makes him a worthwhile consideration with one of the Rockets draft picks.

Finally with all the turmoil experienced last season in the Rockets locker room having a quality character rookie with such great leadership skills would be a major bonus.

Next: Draft Prospect Guerschon Yabusele

Next: Draft Prospect Chinanu Onuaku

Next: Draft Prospect Demetrius Jackson

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