With the draft approaching soon, Draft Lead will be breaking down the strengths and weaknesses of the top lottery prospects. The first in our series of lottery breakdowns is Cam Reddish.
Height/Weight: 6’9″/205 lbs
Position/College: SF/Duke
2018-19 Season Stats
13.5 PPG | 3.7 RPG | 1.9 APG | 1.6 SPG | 29.7 MPG | 36% FG | 33% 3PT | 77% FT
Strengths
Cam Reddish has all the physical tools necessary to become a successful NBA player. Reddish has the height of a post player, but has always played on the perimeter. He’s an incredibly smooth and fluid athlete, with good body control. He’s a versatile player, with a plus wingspan, who has become a great defender. Reddish not only averaged 1.6 steals per game, but he can also switch on one through four’s, a very valuable skill in today’s NBA. His shot has strong mechanics, footwork, and rotation. When he gets his feet set, Reddish is a lights out shooter.
He played point guard in high school and has flashed strong passing instincts. Cam also nailed a large amount of clutch threes during his time at Duke, earning the reputation that when the lights get brighter, Cam plays better. Reddish’s physical profile and overall talent level make him a tantalizing prospect with tons of upside.
Working thru Cam Reddish's scouting vid. Maybe the biggest disparity between the 'strengths' & 'weaknesses' sections of any prospect I can remember. When Reddish is tuned in he looks like a future All-Star. When he choses not to show, he looks like a completely different player. pic.twitter.com/gQZbqDqcuh
— Mike Schmitz (@Mike_Schmitz) May 30, 2019
Weaknesses
His smooth jumper has not translated to production. Reddish was incredibly inefficient at Duke, shooting 33% from three and 35% from the field. He could never find any form of consistency and was the living definition of streaky. Reddish is also not an explosive athlete and struggled getting to the rim this past season, often just spotting up on the three point line. His shot selection was questionable at times, as he would sometimes settle for contested jumpers. There are also questions about his motor and commitment level, as he mysteriously sat out an NCAA tournament game. His ball handling skills, although showed flashes, were not great, as he averaged 2.7 turnovers to 1.9 assists. The idea of Reddish is much better than his numbers suggest right now.
Outlook
Overall, Cam Reddish is an enigma. He already has a pro’s body and an incredible stroke. However, in order to maximize his potential he must become more consistent. Some of his problems may have come from playing behind RJ Barrett and Zion Williamson all year. He will get better with NBA spacing and coaching, but Reddish has the widest range of career outcomes in this draft. He could be out of the league within five years or end up a perennial All-Star.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2DzeOYbxtzo
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