NBA Draft 2021: A look at the 10 best Big Ten Basketball prospects

Joe Wieskamp – Iowa – 6’6, 212 lbs – Junior – August 1999

Wieskamp was one of the best shooters in college last season (46% on 5.1 attempts from three), and that skill should translate to the next level. He’s got a smooth release, with decent elevation, and legit size to match. Wieskamp also showed versatility as a shooter, hitting shots off the move and using one or two dribbles to get to a spot and elevate. My favorite skill of his is the ability to navigate screens for off-ball space creation.

His ancillary skills still leave a bit to be desired. Attacking closeouts, Wieskamp tends to stop short of the paint and shoot a pull-up. He doesn’t pressure the defense going downhill. When he did get into the paint though, Wieskamp was actually a solid finisher, making just under 60% of his attempts at the rim.

Defensively, Wieskamp has the height to defend wings but he’ll need to add strength to his frame. He’s not overly quick and his team defense leaves a bit to be desired. In a playoff game, it’s plausible he’d be picked on, but he should be able to hang with second units in the regular season.

Given the importance of shooting, a 6’6 sniper is someone I’d definitely take a chance on in round two. Given his age and athleticism, there are certain limits to his ceiling. But Wieskamp should shoot well enough and create enough gravity to stick as a rotational shooter on the wing. That’s not something I’d value until the middle or late second round, but I believe he’ll be able to stick in the league.