Strengths
As stated, the name of Vassell’s game runs through the 3-and-D concept. As for defense, there are two broad ways of categorizing an individual’s defensive ability: on-ball and off-ball defense (the latter is otherwise known as “team defense”). Basketball truthers will say that team defense is more important. In other words, if on-ball defense is the soil of defense, off-ball/team defense is the water that lets impact flourish.
And if considering that, then Vassell’s impact is as flourished as can be. He is basically the blueprint of prominent team defense. He uses his Mister Fantastic-like limbs (over a 6-foot-9 wingspan) to his outermost advantage; he is a menace in passing lanes and can cover space on closeouts better than almost anyone on the planet. He also almost acts as a perimeter rim-protector thanks to his weak side help defense.
Vassell can get by guarding one-on-one with basically any prominent wing player, but the holy grail of his defense is the fact that he makes life easier for all four of his teammates that he is sharing the floor with. To a degree, that is the same story with him on the offensive end.
Vassell ranked in the top 20 percent among all of college basketball in spot-up shooting last year, per Synergy Sports. He also is a career 41.7 percent 3-point shooter. Vassell’s high release jumper wreaked havoc for Florida State last season, specifically in catch-and-shoot situations. Nothing should change in that regard once he reaches the NBA.
When he is not torching defenses from deep, he is likely running like a gazelle in transition, where he is just as effective. Vassell ranked in the top 6 percent among all of college basketball in transition offense last season (again per Synergy Sports). His long strides and length allow him to dominate in the open floor like a riptide. That should escalate once he adds to his skinny frame.
The beauty of Vassell’s game is this: he not only thrives as what he does, but what he does allows each and every one of his teammates to also thrive. He is a floor-raising player for teams and his mindset seems to reflect/support that.
“What separates Devin from a lot of guys is even though he has an even-keeled temperament, he has extreme confidence but he’s not selfish. He’s a team-guy but he has a knack of putting the ball in the basket” said Florida State Basketball head coach, Leonard Hamilton, in an interview.
Hamilton could not speak loudly enough about Vassell’s team-oriented, “all that matters is the scoreboard” approach to the game. It does not matter what NBA team it is; they want a player like Vassell on their roster. A player who is such a cliche, ideal role player that it is almost wrong to use the word cliche at all.