Popular college hoops analyst Rob Cassidy says four NBA draft prospects are being undervalued ft. Isaiah Collier
Following the 2024 NBA Draft Combine in Chicago, significant fluctuations have been observed in the latest projections. As the biggest stretch of the 2024 Draft is set to begin, Rob Cassidy, Rival's esteemed analyst, believes that four players are still sitting under the radar.
Cassidy believes Stephon Castle (UConn Huskies), Isaiah Collier (USC Trojans), Baylor Scheierman (Creighton Bluejays), and Zach Edey (Purdue Boilermakers) remain undervalued draft prospects.
On average, Castle is currently mocked as a late Top-10 pick, Collier is a definite first-rounder, Scheierman sees a late second-round entry, and Edey is projected as a second-rounder.
#1 Stephon Castle
Drawing away from the narratives of his position in the lineup, Cassidy claims that Stephon Castle brings a versatile play style to the court, all while possessing an ability to convert tough shots.
Throughout his 34 contests from his recent campaign, Castle averaged 11.1 points, 4.7 rebounds, and 2.9 assists. His two-way mastery was highlighted by his 47.2% shooting touch alongside 18 blocks and 27 steals.
As part of his complete game, Castle showcases a smooth touch on his jump shots. Moreover, he can also operate off the ball, making him receptive to playing alongside other scorers.
Even though Stephon only shot 26% from the arc in college, Cassidy believes that the 19-year-old can show consistent production when asked strictly to fulfill a role.
#2 Isaiah Collier
Rob's praise for Isaiah Collier comes from the guard's high ceiling and coachability, making him a reliable option for several teams looking to add a dependable role player.
Isaiah Collier brings a pensive quality of having quick hands (1.5 steals) and efficiently cruising toward the rim. Thanks to that, he converted 49% of his shots from the field last season.
Moreover, his knack for making free throws (67%) compliments his drives in the lane. However, the athletic guard has his work cut out when it comes to passing and making things easy for his teammates.
#3 Baylor Scheierman
While the analyst acknowledges the increased hype around Scheierman, he believes that the 6'7 wing is more athletic than what meets the eye. Moreover, he claims that with proper staff, Baylor can turn out to be a great defender as well.
The improvement is certainly there on the offense, as Baylor posted his best scoring season with 18.5 points per game alongside nine rebounds, and 3.9 assists on 44.8% efficiency.
His frame and reliable shooting touch make Baylor Scheierman a promising space creator. He can also pass the ball to keep the ball moving while finding opportunities to leap for defensive rebounds.
With that, his biggest drawback comes on the other side of the floor. Despite making the right reads, he lacks the movements for timely close-outs or to provide enough restriction as a help defender.
#4 Zach Edey
Even though the analyst wipes out all possibilities of Zach Edey turning into a superstar, he sees him becoming a valuable asset; all with a little improvement in the 7'3 center's defensive movements.
He is probably the biggest difference-maker on the list, coming off a season averaging 25.2 points, 12.2 rebounds, and 2.2 blocks. Even though his 62% field goal efficiency only saw him take two three-pointers during his Purdue, the big man has already surprised fans by sinking 56% of his threes in the Combine.
However, Zach Edey will see a lot of quicker players trying to cruise past him or playing off him on the open NBA floor. With that, quick movements and capitalizing on opportunities to close out remains a top concern in his game.