NBA Comparison: Ryan Gomes

Strengths: Defensive oriented forward with the ability to defend multiple positions … A mature, smart forward with three years of college experience, Despite being a junior, turns 22 in November, so the upside is not as high as some other wings … At 233, has excellent strength and physicality for a wing … Size and strength gives him the versatility to guard both forward positions … Very good rebounder at 7.2 per game over his career and 8.8 as a junior at North Carolina … 7-foot wingspan along with great strength allows him to be a very good defender … Has developed as a adequate spot up shooter from the mid-range …  1.4 steals per game as a junior shows his improvement in anticipation and ball hawking … Solid passer … Raised his three point shot to 38% as a junior and has a very good corner three … high motor, effort player … Composed, smart individual who shows a willingness to put team first …

Weaknesses: Just 6’5.25″ barefoot, 8′ 6.5″standing reach, both small for a combo forward … Not the fastest or most athletic player … Lacks a great ability to create offense for himself … Very slow first step, not very good at facing the basket and attacking off the dribble … Foot speed is an issue defensively as well on the perimeter, in space … Should learn to become a better post player, adding a back to the basket games would help him to utilize his strength advantage facing wings … Below average shooting ability … Shot just 62% over his three year college career … needs to cut down on turnovers …

Outlook: Played 2 seasons at Stanford before transferring to North Carolina for his Junior season … Figures to be a role guy at the NBA level with a good chance to be selected in the second round of the 2024 NBA draft, having received a second round green room invite. Projects as a guy with great physicality and length, who if he can improve on his offensive game can carve out a role for himself …

Notes: Measured: Measured 6′ 5.25” barefoot, 8′ 6.50” standing reach, 233.6 lbs, 7′ 0.25” wingspan, 29 standing vert, 35 max vert at the 2024 NBA Draft Combine …6’5.25” barefoot, 6’7.0” in shoes, 8’7.5” standing reach, 232.8 lbs, 7’0.25” wingspan at the 2022 NBA Draft Combine …

Aran Smith 6/27/24