“Situational Evaluation” is a sequence of articles that seeks to look at the circumstances that almost all usually affect an NBA prospect’s success. Every participant shall be scored on a scale from 1-10 in 4 totally different classes: NBA-specific talent(s), deadly flaw(s), collegiate/abroad/pre-NBA surroundings, and superb NBA ecosystem.
Carlton Kaleel “Bub” Carrington III is a 19-year-old guard from Baltimore who averaged 13.8 factors, 5.2 rebounds, and 4.1 assists for the Pittsburgh Panthers. He’s anticipated to be chosen in the course of the primary spherical. NBADraft.web at present has him projected at No. 12.
NBA-Particular Abilities
Basketball’s present Sloan Convention-influenced geometry emphasizes the worth of two primary areas of the basketball court docket: the area instantly behind the 3-point line and the area instantly subsequent to the rim. In fact, there may be important sq. footage in between these areas that usually goes uncared for.
Carlton Carrington is a grasp of the NBA’s forgotten territory.
Carrington is a very elite bucket-getter in these lower-efficiency areas. With an And1 Mixtape deal with and a yo-yo’s change of tempo, Carrington is outstanding at getting a defender on his heels and sticking a 15-footer in his eye.
In in the present day’s social media parlance, Carrington is a hooper. To cite legendary Houston rapper Scarface, Carrington “makes the inconceivable look simple.” The upper the diploma of issue, the higher the shot. He solely must see one or two discover the underside of the online earlier than he enters NBA Jam “he’s on hearth” mode.
Carrington isn’t a one-dimensional gunner, both. He has some extent guard’s mentality and prefers to get his teammates concerned the second a protection sends a second man in his path. He’s tall for a playmaker – 6-5 with a 6-9 wingspan – and makes use of that additional top to identify open teammates from unorthodox angles. He retains his cool below stress and takes care of the ball for such a high-usage participant (4.1 assists to 1.9 turnovers).
He additionally will get after it on the glass, rebounding at a rage a lot greater than his place. He was the uncommon triple-double menace in school final season and finds methods to contribute throughout video games when his jumper isn’t falling.
Throw in his age (simply turned 19) and his projected improvement curve and Carrington could possibly be one of many true steals on this draft.
On a scale from 1-10, Carrington’s stat-stuffing upside charges at a 9.
Deadly Flaws
The maths will all the time be in opposition to him.
There’s a motive why 3s and layups are probably the most sought-after photographs – they’re probably the most environment friendly. Nevertheless, Carrington’s accuracy from 3-point vary comes and goes (32% on 6 makes an attempt a sport) and he struggles to complete on the rim in opposition to measurement/athleticism. He’s a below-the-rim participant proper now, choosing both kickout passes or inconceivable spinning layups. If Carrington can’t make the most of these high-value areas, he may discover it troublesome to carve out an NBA area of interest solely within the midrange.
His athleticism is good-not-great, which hinders him on the defensive finish, as nicely. For as savvy as he performs with the ball in his arms, Carrington can get misplaced on screens and struggles to maintain his physique in entrance of faster guards.
There’s hope that his 3-point proportion can tick upward just a few factors, provided that he gained’t be requested to shoulder such a heavy NBA workload. His free-throw proportion (78.5%) can be an indicator that he can shoot it a bit higher. However till we see it in motion, groups will dare him to shoot and so they gained’t chunk on his stutter-step hesitation strikes.
On a scale from 1 (not a priority) to 10 (critical hindrance), Carrington’s inefficiency charges at a 9.
Pre-NBA Setting
Bub was a standout three-sport athlete in Baltimore earlier than locking in on basketball at Saint Frances Academy.
He was an early decide to the Pitt Panthers after a powerful junior season and elected to forego the recruitment chaos that tends to accompany gamers of his caliber throughout his senior 12 months.
He stepped into the Pitt program as a direct contributor, dropping a triple-double in his first exhibition sport. Jeff Capel trusted Carrington with the keys to the offense straight away and he delivered.
Carrington and Blake Hinson led the Panthers to 22 wins and a livid cost towards the NCAA Match, however their bubble burst after a loss to North Carolina within the ACC Match. A March Insanity run would have helped enhance Carrington’s inventory, however a powerful mix has considerably helped his inventory to the purpose the place he acquired one in every of 24 inexperienced room invites.
On a scale from 1-10, Carrington’s pre-NBA profession is a 7.5, however the arrow is pointing upward.
Best NBA Ecosystem
Carrington spent a lot of the season hovering across the 20s-30s in most mock drafts, however he has seen his identify rise to the low finish of the lottery after scouts and draft-watchers took a better take a look at his tape.
He’s the type of high-upside, high-IQ participant Sam Presti likes to draft. It’s onerous to think about a greater mentor/function mannequin for Carrington than Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, so it could not shock me to listen to his identify known as at No. 12.
The Sacremento Kings at No. 13 may additionally use Carrington’s companies, as he’s tall/lengthy sufficient to play alongside De’Aaron Fox and will ultimately assume lead playmaking duties on bench items. The Kings want to seek out methods to minimize the load on Fox, and Carrington could possibly be an intriguing bench possibility at both backcourt spot.
The Miami Warmth at No. 15 don’t sometimes go for youngsters, however they desperately want extra playmaking and shot creation off the bench. Carrington is a tough employee and would match into Warmth Tradition fairly nicely.
Though the Philadelphia 76ers at No. 16 are out there for a bench sparkplug, I discover it onerous to imagine that Daryl Morey would draft anybody with Carrington’s shot profile.
On a scale from 1-10, Carrington’s situational dependence is a 9. He may wrestle if he finds himself on a workforce that doesn’t worth his midrange mastery, however the appropriate franchise may flip him right into a worthwhile backcourt contributor, with the upside to develop into much more.
