Jake LaRavia: SG/SF, 6'9", 228 Lb's, Wingspan NA, Junior, Wake Forest.
31.6 mpg - 14.6 ppg - 55.9% fgp - 38.4% 3pp - 77.7% ftp - 6.6 rpg - 3.7 apg - 1.7 stl's - 1.0 blk's
LaRavia is similar to a few other players that I'm not sure where they'll go. A lot of mocks have him going in the 2nd rd, but after his workouts, he might have a team fall in love with him. I really like him. He's a very skilled player who can score from anywhere on the floor. He has an effortless looking 3pt shot. He has great footwork around the basket, where he likes to play bully ball on occasion. He has a nice step back fade away mid-range shot. He played his first two years at Indiana St. before transferring to Wake Forest. What sets him apart offensively, especially at his size, is his passing. He essentially played point forward at times. When doubled, he always found the open man on the floor.
While he was listed as a guard for Wake Forest, I don't see that happening in the NBA at 6'9". But who knows? He's a smart basketball player who knows when to cut to the basket, or move to the open spot if his defender starts ball watching. He's a good athlete, but not an elite athlete. He's more than capable of playing above the rim. LaRavia is also a good and willing defender. Once again, he's smart and makes good reads defensively allowing him to grab more than his share of steals. He has good lateral quickness, and even when beat off the dribble, he pursues and many times blocks the shot from behind. I'm not saying he'll be a lock down defender, but I think he'll definitely be a plus defender.
In short, LaRavia is a very talented player who knows how to play the game, and you can't have too many of those on your team. If he were a Freshman, I have no doubt he'd be a top 20 player. But because of his age, and sort of being a late bloomer, he's likely to go somewhere between 31 and 45. Unless, as I said, some team falls in love with him late in the 1st rd.
