NBA Draft 2019: Analyzing under the radar mid-major basketball selections
By Zac Voynow
Jarrell Brantley, College of Charleston
Jarrell Brantley was drafted 50th overall by the Utah Jazz.
Brantley is one of the most perplexing players selected in the NBA draft. He didn’t receive an invite to the G-League or NBA combine, but that didn’t stop the CAA senior from being drafted. Brantley, a 6’7″, 255-lb power forward, possesses the versatility and strength to make a serious impact in the NBA with some polishing.
Brantley was part of a dynamic duo at College of Charleston last season, playing off the ball with his star point guard Grant Riller. He’s a force in the paint due to his shredded frame and 255 pounds of muscle, but he loves to receive the ball in the high post and get in triple threat position. He has the ability to knock down contested jumpers from the mid-range consistently, as well as occasionally step out and drain the triple. Brantley also is a force down low but crashing the offensively glass, as he has great jumping ability and a very quick put-back jump step.
Defensively, Brantley has the strength and size to hold his own down low, but he also has the footwork and quickness to stay with most perimeter players. If Brantley puts up good numbers in the G-League next season, his journey to the NBA should be a brief one.