Villanova Basketball: 2019 NBA Draft profile of power forward Eric Paschall

Eric Paschall could be a late first or second round steal at power forward. What team will bring in the Villanova Basketball product on the night of the 2019 NBA Draft?

Eric Paschall, a 6’7″ 254 lb power forward that played four season with Villanova Basketball, is ready to take his next step to the NBA. Just making ESPN’s top 10 cut at his position with the last spot he’s ranked 31st overall out of all prospects.

However comparing the numbers of the 2018-19 season tells an interesting tale. De’Andre Hunter is the second ranked Power Forward in the draft and averaged 15.2 points a game, 5.1 total rebounds per game, and 2 assists a game. Meanwhile at the 10th spot Paschall averaged 16.5 points per game, 6.1 rebounds, and 2.1 assists a game. It’s noticeable that Paschall had better averages in each category with just a two game difference. However he may be ranked lower due to his age, playing four seasons in college, while Hunter only played two starting one.

Still, scouts have praises for Paschall considering him to be one of the draft’s best finishers converting 68.2 percent at the rim. What helps Paschall do this is that he’s a physical, explosive leaper that scouts feel can be even more explosive with NBA spacing. Scouts also found improvement in his perimeter shooting hitting around 35 percent of his deep shots in his last two seasons.

He’s also efficient from the free throw line with a career shooting percentage of 76.7 percent. Scouts also find trust and comfortably in Paschall’s offensive game with a capable mid-range jump shot and ability to cut to the basket. Scouts also note he’s an adequate passer and does even better with talent around him where he can play in a supporting role.

Defensively, the scouts find him to be versatile and energetic with the strength and body length to size up bigs in the interior. It’s also noted he has the feet to pivot and switch to rush out and cover the perimeter. Scouts also view his rebound mindset highly seeing him jump in for a rebound with no hesitation or fear of contact.  Most importantly scouts praise Paschall’s competitive and physical nature and his willingness to do all the little things defensively that helps a team succeed.

While there is much upside and praise to Paschall’s game scouts find room for improvement. For one they find him to be streaky shooter that can be indecisive in what type of shot he wants to take making him get caught between a set and jump shot at times. They also feel his gut feeling for the game could be improved viewing him as an average decision maker. It’s also said his ball handling skills are so-so with an inconsistent wave of  high-percentage shots, finding him settling for contested pull-up jumpers from the mid-range.

While Eric Paschall does have areas to work on his four seasons at Villanova should prove him to be a coach-able player willing to improve. At the same time his statistics from last season is comparable to a top prospect. Still according to this mock draft Paschall will fall to the second round and be drafted by the Charlotte Hornets at pick 36.

However, Paschall is most likely on any team’s radar that is picking between 25-40, with at least four power forwards projected to go within these picks. Other than the Hornets, Pashcall could find himself going to teams like Brooklyn, Chicago, Dallas, or even Philadelphia (all of which having picks between 27-38).