Arizona State Basketball: 2019 NBA Draft profile of shooting guard Luguentz Dort

Luguentz Dort may be a hidden gem at Shooting Guard in the 2019 NBA Draft. Where will the former Arizona State basketball player land on June 20th?

Luguentz Dort just misses out on a top 25 ESPN spot in the 2019 NBA Draft, coming in at 26 overall and an 8th at his position. However the 6’4″ 222 lbs shooting guard put up numbers comparable to the top three prospects at his position. While the number three overall prospect R.J. Barrett put up an impressive 22.6 points per game, Jarrett Culver the second ranked Shooting Guard followed relatively close with 18.5 points per game. Now, the third ranked Shooting Guard and 8th overall ranked prospect Coby White scored 16.1 points per game, which is the same as former Arizona State Basketball player Dort.

While it can be argued that’s only scoring averages being compared, it should be noted that Dort has more rebounds 4.3 a game than Coby White with 3.5 per game. However Culver does have more than both of them with 6.4 while Barrett leads the pack 7.6. Although his stats are favorable Dort could be ranked as low as he is due to him only being a freshman.

Still scouts feel he’s ready to play a sizable role early in his career, most likely providing explosiveness off the bench. Scouts also praise his power in space and how tough he is to contain. It’s also noted he draws many fouls embracing contact while converting 70 percent of his free throw attempts.

Dort’s defense is also praised with scouts feeling he can guard multiple spots on the floor with confidence. It’s also noted Dort puts pressure on opposing ball handlers with the ability to check wings in small lineups.

Although Dort has favorable comments from scouts and experts they still have doubts in spots. One of the highest areas of concern is struggle to score consistently and efficiently in college. It’s said his mechanics are unconventional, streaky, inconsistent, with a high arching moon ball shot. He also only made 31 percent of his three in his single season with Arizona State putting his shot selection into question.

Scouts also find Dort’s decision-making  questionable, finding drive into traffic without a plan. Partially due to this Dort managed to average more turnovers than assists on the season. Scouts also say Dort lacks any dynamic shot creation and is a power based driver who works best in straight line situations with lack of ability to do much in the half-court. Another worry scouts have is his lack of discipline on defense off the ball. They also say he moves mostly on tools and energy with a need of improvement to his instinct and technique.

Still with all that being said, the Shooting Guard out of Arizona State could be a sleeper for a team that’s willing to work with the young prospect. According to this mock draft from NBADraftnet Dort will fall all the way to the 47th pick for the Sacramento Kings. Still it wouldn’t be a surprise if a team looking to bolster their bench with a work in progress takes him earlier.

A team losing many players like the Philadelphia 76ers could use one of their three-second round picks. While teams like the Atlanta Hawks or Detroit Pistons who are projected to take a shooting guard could go after Dort. Regardless, Luguentz Dort will most likely be a mid to late second round pick with the hopes of solid production off the bench with coach-able potential to do more in the future.