Saturday, October 4, 2025
Submit Press Release
Got Action
No Result
View All Result
  • Home
  • Football
  • Basketball
  • NCAA
    • NCAA Football
    • NCAA Basketball
    • NCAA Baseball
    • NCAA Sport
  • Baseball
  • NFL
  • NBA
  • NHL
  • MLB
  • Formula 1
  • MMA
  • Boxing
  • Tennis
  • Golf
  • Sports Picks
  • Home
  • Football
  • Basketball
  • NCAA
    • NCAA Football
    • NCAA Basketball
    • NCAA Baseball
    • NCAA Sport
  • Baseball
  • NFL
  • NBA
  • NHL
  • MLB
  • Formula 1
  • MMA
  • Boxing
  • Tennis
  • Golf
  • Sports Picks
Got Action
No Result
View All Result

NBA Draft prospects compare themselves to current players: From Kawhi to Harden

May 20, 2025
in NBA
0 0
0
Home NBA
Share on FacebookShare on Twitter


Every year, an NBA draft prospect finds himself compared to a player or two already in the league. It’s how most of us find ourselves making sense of the draft and of the dozens of players in it. It might be a little lazy, but it can also be instructive. It allows us to create models in our heads of how to think of players and who they can ultimately become. That can be based on play style, size or similar skill sets.

But here’s the big reveal: NBA scouts and executives do it, too. So do the players. It can make for an interesting plot point.

Teams also occasionally ask prospects for NBA player comparisons in the interviews held during the draft combine or during the pre-draft process. The answers occasionally can be instructive. Sometimes they’re self-defeating. But they also hint at which players are or could be models around the league for younger athletes wanting to emulate parts of their game

This month, The Athletic spoke to or stood in on interviews with 13 draft prospects to learn which NBA player (or players) they compared themselves to. The answers were pretty interesting.

“I don’t really compare myself to anybody. I feel like I’m just trying to be myself all the time when I’m on the court. I’m not trying to be anybody else, do anything I can’t do. I just try and be myself. I’ll let other people make those comparisons.”

Dylan Harper, 6-4 guard, Rutgers, No. 2

“It’s probably big guards like Cade Cunningham, James Harden, Shai (Gilgeous-Alexander). Just big guards who know how to control the game, control the pace and just know when they need to score, when they don’t need to score. Then they know when they need to give someone a touch, they ain’t touch it. The most important thing that I like about all of them is that they make the team around them a lot better.”

Carter Bryant, 6-7 wing, Arizona, No. 12

“I see myself describing it as almost like a progression. Early in the league, I feel like I’m a guy that can guard multiple positions. Obviously, I want to be able to guard one through five. I feel like I’m capable of guarding one through four now. I need to get a little bit stronger, but eventually I see myself being a guy that can guard all five positions on the floor. I watch a lot of Toumani Camara right now, Trey Murphy. I watch Herb Jones, Jrue Holiday, Derrick White. But I see myself becoming one of the stars in this league, so I watch a lot of film on Kyrie (Irving), Devin Booker, Jayson Tatum, as well.”

Liam McNeeley, 6-7 wing, Connecticut, No. 21

“The one I’ve been using more frequently is Gordon Hayward, mainly before the injury, but even after, he’s such a great player. (He) has such great feel, very talented. I’ve said Keegan Murray a little; just his size and his floor spacing. He’s a really good shooter, great size.”

Cedric Coward, 6-5 guard, Washington State, No. 22

“I think there’s a lot. Kawhi (Leonard) is one, Mikal Bridges is another. We’re both long and lanky. Jalen Williams from the Thunder — you know, mid-major guy. But I think what all those people have in common, to my game at least, is the ability to do it on both ends of the floor, the ability to be all around, the ability to have that dog mentality. I don’t think you can look at one of those players when they’re all healthy and be like, ‘Well, he doesn’t do this well.’ As they’ve elevated their games and continue to elevate their games, they’re known as some of the best players in the world. I also think Cade Cunningham is a good one. A big guard being able to control the floor, control the game and, you know, developing into that for myself. I see myself as a big guard. If you go watch Washington State film, I played a lot more of the one this year than I have in the past. I was getting a lot more comfortable doing that. It sucks that I got hurt because I felt like I was really just clicking, and I was ready to go off, but at the end of the day, God has a plan for everybody. But if I were to compare myself, those (players) would be it.”

Walter Clayton Jr., 6-2 guard, Florida, No. 25

“I don’t have, like, any direct comp. I just talk about taking bits and pieces from other players’ games. You got (Jalen) Brunson, just with his patience in the paint. He gets down there, plays off two feet, uses all of his space. (Jrue) Holiday just beats people to spots on defense, and his IQ. And a floater definitely will be a big part of my game at the next level, so Donovan Mitchell. He is just great with all the Euros, the hop-steps and the footwork getting to that floater.”

Thank You Walter Clayton Jr 🐊

The GOAT of Gator Basketball 👀 pic.twitter.com/5lTTWBeyoh

— Florida Gators 🐊🔥 (@gatorsszn) April 10, 2025

Labaron Philon, 6-3 guard, Alabama, No. 28

“Jrue Holiday. I just have to hit the chest like he does, and the arms and stuff like that. The physical aspect. … I watched a lot of (Andrew) Nembhard, the way he uses his shoulders, and Shai (Gilgeous-Alexander), the way he uses his drives. It’s really fun to watch the other guys and try to put some of that in my game. But really, it’s just having the physical aspect down pat.”

Ryan Kalkbrenner, 7-1 center, Creighton, No. 30

“I tell them I don’t try to be anyone but me. Obviously, you can take little bits and pieces from people, but I want to be me. I don’t want to be anyone else. I want to be me.”

Tahaad Pettiford, 6-0 guard, Auburn, No. 32

“I like to say a lot of De’Aaron Fox. I try to take some things from Darius Garland and James Harden, some parts of their game. But I would probably say De’Aaron Fox is someone I play like a lot.”

John Tonje, 6-5 guard, Wisconsin, No. 41

“I don’t compare too much to other guys, and I don’t really have an NBA comparison. But if I had to give an answer on that, I would say like a Desmond Bane, or Quentin Grimes, as well. Just two names out there that I feel are pretty similar. They were just guys that matched with their role right when they got there and then expanded after and had a lot of success growing in the league.”

JOHN TONJE COMING IN CLUTCH 😤

(via @MarchMadnessMBB) pic.twitter.com/jlBqMIsnaV

— ESPN BET (@ESPNBET) March 23, 2025

Chaz Lanier, 6-4 guard, Tennessee, No. 49

“I really like Devin Booker’s game. Throughout this past season at Tennessee, I was really studying his footwork and his ability to create space and get his shots off, and just the quick reads that he makes. So, I say Devin Booker. And, I steal a lot of Buddy Hield’s footwork, and I admire the way he gets his shot off so fast and how simple he keeps the game.”

Hunter Sallis, 6-4 guard, Wake Forest, No. 56

“I say Tim Hardaway Jr. (Nickeil) Alexander-Walker, he’s a good one, just how he defends. I like (Donte) DiVincenzo. There’s a lot of guys I feel like I try to take little pieces of their games and stuff, for sure. I don’t think I play like a certain someone, but definitely, there’s flashes, for sure.”

Jalon Moore, 6-6 wing, Oklahoma, undrafted

“I feel like a P.J. Washington, Jonathan Kuminga. A person who can get out and stretch the floor. I became a more able knockdown 3-point shooter, so I said guys like them who can impact the game even without scoring the ball and just rebounding the next possession. I feel like that’s an important role in any NBA team.”

(Top photo of Dylan Harper: Michael Reaves / Getty Images)  





Source link

Tags: compareCurrentDraftHardenKawhiNBAplayersprospects
Previous Post

What Bill Self has learned about the transfer portal, and what it means for Kansas’ future

Next Post

Daniel Dubois Predicts “Brutal, Brutal Knockout” In July 19 Usyk Rematch At Wembley

Related Posts

JJ Redick Says Bronny James Much More Comfortable And Confident Despite Shooting Struggles
NBA

JJ Redick Says Bronny James Much More Comfortable And Confident Despite Shooting Struggles

October 4, 2025
Bronny James cold in 1st Lakers preseason game; Redick praises
NBA

Bronny James cold in 1st Lakers preseason game; Redick praises

October 4, 2025
Lakers lose their pre-season opener to Suns with James, Doncic sitting out
NBA

Lakers lose their pre-season opener to Suns with James, Doncic sitting out

October 4, 2025
How report out of players-only meeting changed vibes of last season’s 76ers
NBA

How report out of players-only meeting changed vibes of last season’s 76ers

October 3, 2025
Abdou Toure Commits To Arkansas
NBA

Abdou Toure Commits To Arkansas

October 3, 2025
How will the Clippers 11-man rotation work? Analyzing assignments and expectations
NBA

How will the Clippers 11-man rotation work? Analyzing assignments and expectations

October 3, 2025
Next Post
Daniel Dubois Predicts “Brutal, Brutal Knockout” In July 19 Usyk Rematch At Wembley

Daniel Dubois Predicts “Brutal, Brutal Knockout” In July 19 Usyk Rematch At Wembley

Erik ten Hag in line for Ajax return after Farioli departure

Erik ten Hag in line for Ajax return after Farioli departure

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

  • Trending
  • Comments
  • Latest
Away Attendances at the Weekend – 8th September 2025

Away Attendances at the Weekend – 8th September 2025

September 8, 2025
How to Buy COTA Tickets – 2025 United States Grand Prix

How to Buy COTA Tickets – 2025 United States Grand Prix

March 12, 2025
Is Max Verstappen in the mix to win the 2025 Drivers’ title?

Is Max Verstappen in the mix to win the 2025 Drivers’ title?

September 25, 2025
Marte, Steer power Cincinnati Reds over Pittsburgh, 14-8

Marte, Steer power Cincinnati Reds over Pittsburgh, 14-8

August 10, 2025
Arthur Jones, who won a Super Bowl with the Ravens, dies at 39

Arthur Jones, who won a Super Bowl with the Ravens, dies at 39

October 4, 2025
Fans urge Miami Heat to sign former MVP after Tyler Herro surgery news, ‘he’d immediately be the best player’

Fans urge Miami Heat to sign former MVP after Tyler Herro surgery news, ‘he’d immediately be the best player’

September 19, 2025
Anthony Davis could return to Mavericks’ lineup during upcoming Eastern road trip: Report

Anthony Davis could return to Mavericks’ lineup during upcoming Eastern road trip: Report

229
Getting with the programme | Arseblog … an Arsenal blog

Getting with the programme | Arseblog … an Arsenal blog

3
The longest an NCAA bracket has ever stayed perfect

The longest an NCAA bracket has ever stayed perfect

1
Hanshin Tigers shut out Cubs, Dodgers for back-to-back wins

Hanshin Tigers shut out Cubs, Dodgers for back-to-back wins

1
Avious Griffin Highlights Boxing Insider Promotion’s Card By Stopping Jose Luis Sanchez In 9.

Avious Griffin Highlights Boxing Insider Promotion’s Card By Stopping Jose Luis Sanchez In 9.

1
Billy Gillispie placed on leave: Tarleton State coach being investigated after complaint, per report

Billy Gillispie placed on leave: Tarleton State coach being investigated after complaint, per report

0
Milwaukee Brewers OF Jackson Chourio exits Game 1 injured

Milwaukee Brewers OF Jackson Chourio exits Game 1 injured

October 4, 2025
What are the tactical options for the Singapore Grand Prix?

What are the tactical options for the Singapore Grand Prix?

October 4, 2025
As Chelsea nab thrilling statement win, Liverpool continue downward spiral

As Chelsea nab thrilling statement win, Liverpool continue downward spiral

October 4, 2025
Baylor Tight End Michael Trigg Dominates Kansas State with Huge Performance

Baylor Tight End Michael Trigg Dominates Kansas State with Huge Performance

October 4, 2025
JJ Redick Says Bronny James Much More Comfortable And Confident Despite Shooting Struggles

JJ Redick Says Bronny James Much More Comfortable And Confident Despite Shooting Struggles

October 4, 2025
Cowboys to be down at least three offensive linemen vs. Jets

Cowboys to be down at least three offensive linemen vs. Jets

October 4, 2025
Facebook Twitter Instagram LinkedIn TikTok Pinterest
Got Action

Stay updated with the latest sports news, highlights, and expert analysis at Got Action. From football to basketball, we cover all your favorite sports. Get your daily dose of action now!

CATEGORIES

  • Baseball
  • Basketball
  • Boxing
  • Football
  • Formula 1
  • Golf
  • MLB
  • MMA
  • NBA
  • NCAA Baseball
  • NCAA Basketball
  • NCAA Football
  • NCAA Sport
  • NFL
  • NHL
  • Tennis
  • Uncategorized

SITEMAP

  • About us
  • Advertise with us
  • Submit Press Release
  • Disclaimer
  • Privacy Policy
  • DMCA
  • Cookie Privacy Policy
  • Terms and Conditions
  • Contact us

Copyright © 2025 Got Action.
Got Action is not responsible for the content of external sites.

Welcome Back!

Login to your account below

Forgotten Password?

Retrieve your password

Please enter your username or email address to reset your password.

Log In
No Result
View All Result
  • Home
  • Football
  • Basketball
  • NCAA
    • NCAA Football
    • NCAA Basketball
    • NCAA Baseball
    • NCAA Sport
  • Baseball
  • NFL
  • NBA
  • NHL
  • MLB
  • Formula 1
  • MMA
  • Boxing
  • Tennis
  • Golf
  • Sports Picks
Submit Press Release

Copyright © 2025 Got Action.
Got Action is not responsible for the content of external sites.