Kentucky Basketball: 2019 NBA Draft profile of shooting guard Tyler Herro

Tyler Herro might be the best pure shooter in the 2019 NBA Draft. What awaits the former Kentucky Basketball player as the draft nears?

Tyler Herro, a 6’6″ 192 lbs Shooting Guard from Kentucky Basketball, is a top-25 ranked NBA Draft prospect and ranked fourth for his position according to ESPN. Herro has solid positional size but is called out for having short arms. Still, Herro is known to be a scrappy defender with a high competitiveness level no matter where the ball is. Making him a highly coveted target for teams in need of a more defensive-minded player.

Herro is hailed as a high-level shooter with a combination of moves to create an open shot. Scouts also praise Herro for his elevation and balance, as well as his ability to catch on the hop in transition and sprint off screens, or into hand-offs. He also converted 93.5 percent of shots from the line into points as a freshman showing he’s a reliable free throw shooter. Scouts also find his ability to read the court impressive as well as his ability to change speeds on the court and the touch on his floaters.

Although the scouts have these praises they still have areas with concern. Due to his shorter wingspan scouts are concerned on his ability to defend positions other than point guard at the next level. It’s also said he has good but not great feet and can be beat by quicker guards making him most likely have to rely on gut instincts and toughness to defend in the NBA.

Where concerns really grow is at Herro’s finishing packages and lack of scoring with only 3.1 free throws per 40 minutes while shooing under 50 percent at the rim. Scouts also say he’s not a great leaper and doesn’t provide that much extension. He also only hit 35.5 percent of his deep shots which is disappointing for a shot maker like Herro. It’s also noted he looks much more comfortable off the dribble rather than from a pass, ranking in the 47th percentile on catch-and-shoot jumpers.

Tyler Herro is a prospect with potential but isn’t expected to be a top pick. Being the 18th ranked prospect and 4th at his position it wouldn’t be a surprise if he goes close to pick 20, with one mock draft having him go at pick 18 to the Pacers and Yahoo having him go to the Celtics at pick 14. Herro most likely won’t be an instant starter or fix for a team, but can provide a high motor off the bench for teams in need of depth.