NBA Draft 2019: Top 3 players for Phoenix Suns to select at pick No. 6
By Chris Kern
2. Jarrett Culver
Jarrett Culver is a prospect that has risen up draft boards in a big way as the college season went along. He didn’t end it on a good note as he really struggled in the national championship game against Virginia, but he has still established himself as a possible top-five selection.
He has improved his game on both ends of the floor to become a very good all-around player who has a chance to be a great two-way player at the next level. During his freshman season he took a backseat to their main players such as Keenan Evans and Zhaire Smith, but this past season he was the one leading the way.
He improved his game in many ways, but his three-point shooting was one area that he struggled in. During his freshman season he converted on 38% of his 3.9 attempts, but this past season he only converted 30% of his 4.2 attempts. A lot of that has to do with the quality of the looks he was taking, but he will need to be able to create his own shot at a high level in the NBA so he’ll need to improve in that area.
This past season at Texas Tech, he averaged 18.5 points, 6.4 rebounds, 3.7 assists, and 1.5 steals per game on 46% shooting from the field. His three-point attempts weren’t much different, but he did take twice as many two-pointers than he did during his freshman season. He continually imposed his will by attacking the basket and hitting mid-range jumpers which were a key part of Texas Tech’s offense.
Culver is a guy who should benefit greatly on the offensive end of the floor from the extra spacing he will have in an NBA offense. He doesn’t have an extremely quick step so it was pretty easy for teams to be physical and trap him when he would drive to the basket. They did have good shooters around him which are a big reason they were able to improve as the season went along as they advanced all the way to the title game.
He has good size at 6’6.75″ and 194 pounds with a 6’9.5″ wingspan that gives him the potential to play multiple positions. His primary position is shooting guard, but with his length and ability to impact the game in many ways he can play some at the small forward spot as well.
His fit with the Suns might not be perfect, but he is a very talented player that has a chance to be a high impact player in the NBA. With Devin Booker locked into the shooting guard spot Culver might not be a great fit, but he is a dominant player who will have a successful pro career and the Suns need to bring in as much talent as possible.