NBA Draft 2022: Live scouting report of top Big Ten Basketball prospects

Bryce McGowens – Freshman – Nebraska – 6’7, 179 lbs – November 2002

Albeit playing on a really bad team, McGowens has had quality production throughout the course of the season, entering Tuesday night’s matchup in Evanston just under 17 points per game.

McGowens looks the part of his 6’7, 180-pound measurement with long arms and a skinny frame that could add weight. It would be easy for a guy in McGowens’ situation to be disconnected from teammates, with his college career inevitably coming to a close soon and the games becoming meaningless at this point. But, he seemed well-liked by his peers and competitors, which was good to see.

The game was more or less a summation of what McGowens has been this season. He got 15 points, but on an uninspiring 5-16 shooting (1-6 from deep). He did rack up four assists but had some moments where he seemed unwilling to move the ball. McGowens doesn’t make the most advanced reads but made enough simple ones with the gravity he draws. Will he draw that same defensive gravity at the next level though? I doubt it.

McGowens is a good slasher, getting to the rim pretty frequently. He needs to add strength to improve as a finisher, but he is a pretty springy athlete, giving me hope for his finishing projection. The shooting numbers haven’t been great and the mechanics could use tweaks. He’s clearly got the body and theoretical upside to be an NBA wing but needs more developing physically and on the ball.

If given that time and trust by a franchise, the end result seems like a rotational wing. But there are pathways where he isn’t given the time to develop and struggles to find his way. The upside alone makes him someone I’d target in the late first round.