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Scouting Potential Top-5 NBA Draft Pick Jonathan Isaac
- Updated: October 19, 2016
Everything about Florida State freshman Jonathan Isaac screams “NBA potential.”
Prepare for flashes of exciting athleticism, step-back jumpers and swoops to the rack that mirror star wings and forwards. But also bank on bricks, sloppy turnovers and other signs of underdevelopment.
By June, Isaac should emerge as one of the draft’s most polarizing prospects.
It seems like a near certainty he’ll declare, having previously explored draft eligibility as a fifth-year high school player. Isaac told Bleacher Report in April there was first-round interest had he been allowed to enter in 2016.
Instead, he’ll play next season behind proven producers like Dwayne Bacon and Xavier Rathan-Mayes in the Seminoles’ pecking order, unlikely to register the same usage or big stats compared to other top prospects.
Between his smaller projected role and the enormous gap between where he is now versus where he could be, Isaac is the type of prospect who could divide scouts with a boom-or-bust outlook.
Physical Tools/NBA Transition
Isaac started his high school career at 6’3″ but begins college as a 6’10” combo forward. Given his guard skills, Isaac’s size, length and quickness immediately stand out under the NBA lens.
He’ll play extended minutes at power forward with Florida State, where his value will spike if he convinces scouts it’s a position he’ll eventually play in the NBA. Isaac’s agility and perimeter game fit the hybrid 4 spot in today’s small-ball era.
Traditional bigs would have difficulty containing him in space. Notably fluid, he glides toward the hoop off first steps, cuts and transition opportunities.
However, scouts have noted the 19-year-old’s lack of strength around the basket.
“Jonathan is physically gifted but will have to continue to improve his upper body strength and become better at handling contact,” one scout told Bleacher Report.
“Can’t finish through contact,” another scout said. “Direct finisher, not a lot …
