Drew Timme's NBA prospects and stats: Where does Gonzaga star rank in draft potential ahead of March Madness 2023?
Drew Timme is one of college basketball's best scorers this season, leading the 12th-ranked Gonzaga Bulldogs in scoring and rebounding. With March Madness just around the corner, the Bulldogs (24-5) and Timme could have a deep run.
Despite being last season's West Coast Conference Player of the Year ahead of teammate and No. 2 draft pick Chet Holmgren and a two-time All-American, Timme's draft stock isn't very high at the moment. However, this may change in the next few weeks if the senior forward can elevate his game to a new level.
The Bulldogs are very talented this season, and Timme is a big part of the team. If he takes a leap during the NCAA Tournament, he could be a first-round pick. However, he is currently not projected to be among the first 30 picks.
Drew Timme's stats, strength and weaknesses
This is Drew Timme's fourth season with the Gonzaga Bulldogs. He was a decent backup in his first season, but became a starter in his sophomore season, posting averages of 19.0 points and 7.0 rebounds per game.
Time stands at 6-foot-10 and mostly plays the power forward position. In his current season with the Zags, the 22-year-old is averaging 21.3 ppg on 61.6% shooting, which is very impressive.
While his shooting percentage is great, the unfortunate truth is that most of his points come from close range. Timme hasn't developed a reliable 3-point shot yet. If he does, that will drastically impact his position for the 2023 NBA draft.
Timme is a great low-post scorer who can throw opponents off balance with his footwork. However, if he cannot stretch the floor in the professional league, he may be a liability.
In four seasons at Gonzaga, Drew Timme has taken only 73 3-point shots, making 17 of them. His success rate at a college level is only 23.3% and would most likely take a nosedive in the NBA.
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Despite lacking a long-range shot, the 22-year-old forward is a decent passer who is averaging 3.2 assists per game.
Timme's position in the 2023 NBA draft
Timme has a lot of potential and could develop a decent 3-point shot in the NBA. However, it is very unlikely that he will be a first-round pick in the 2023 draft.
The 6-foot-10 forward is crafty and plays smart basketball. He plays with a lot of energy and could be a great backup player in the NBA if he further develops his skills.
Timme lacks athleticism and explosiveness as well, which is why he'll most likely fall to the second round of the upcoming NBA draft. There are many other power forwards who'd be better picks, such as Gregory Jackson and Noah Clowney. They are also younger than Timme.
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At the moment, he's not a complete offensive player and would also be a defensive liability, which is why drafting him in the first round wouldn't make much sense.