Draft Profile: Robert Upshaw

Opinions expressed on this page are solely those of the author(s) and don't represent the opinions of the Celtics front office.

By Taylor C. Snow

Robert Upshaw’s off-court antics may have garnered more attention than his on-court abilities. The 7-footer was dismissed from two collegiate programs in three years, but what can’t be overlooked is his shot-blocking ability. When Washington released him in the middle of last season, he was leading the nation in blocks by a long shot. For that, he can thank his enormous 90-inch wingspan and 10-by-11-inch hands; both of which were the largest measurements at the Draft Combine.

You want a shot blocker? Look no further than Robert Upshaw. This kid is a shot-blocking machine, as evidenced by his NCAA-best 4.5 blocks per game (during his 19 games played) this past season for Washington. He has elite timing to go along with an incredible wingspan of 7-foot-5 ½. He has great shot-blocking instincts: he tracks the ball well, rarely bites on fakes and swats at the right moment. He can block shots when he’s defending on the ball or in help situations. Upshaw does a good job of getting into post players’ air space as they attempt to fire up a shot, all while avoiding a high foul rate. However, he needs to bulk up to handle some of the post players around the NBA. He also needs to learn to do his work early on while defending the post. Hopefully that will come with added strength. He has good mobility for a guy his size, but he wasn’t able to display it too often at Washington. The Huskies played a 2-3 zone full-time. Upshaw will need to learn how to defend pick-and-rolls and handle switches onto quicker players. I do think that he can become a terror in pick-and-rolls. His wingspan and size can eat up so much space and take away passing lanes, a la Kevin Garnett. Upshaw has a good rebounding motor and attacks the glass. However, he rebounded with his length during college. That won’t fly in the NBA. He’s going to need to learn to box out and fight for loose balls. He struggles offensively with the ball in his hands. His post game is extremely limited, though he does showcase soft touch around the bucket. His best move is the drop step where he clears space with his shoulder. One thing he needs to work on is his dribble. It’s loose and high, and it will be very susceptible to guards crashing down and swiping at the ball. With his size, I do think he can become a feared screener if he adds to his build. Character issues are a major concern. He was dismissed from not one, but two collegiate basketball programs. His interviews with team execs will be critical to his draft position. When I spoke to him, he seemed genuine, honest and accountable. I hope that he has cleaned up his act and stays on the right track, because he can really make an impact around the rim in the NBA.

By Taylor C. Snow

Upshaw was born on Jan. 5, 1994 in Fresno, Calif. to Ceylon Shermon. His brother Jereol Walker played Division II basketball at the University of Texas of the Permian Basin. Upshaw attended San Joaquin Memorial High School, where, as a senior, he averaged 18 points, 11 rebounds and five blocks, earning County/Metro Athletic Conference co-Player of the Year honors. He initially attended Fresno State, but was released from the team after playing 22 games. Despite missing a good portion of the season, Upshaw’s 39 blocks more than doubled the total of any of his teammates. He then transferred to the University of Washington, and sat out one season due to NCAA transfer rules. In his first two games, for the Huskies, Upshaw tallied 14 blocks. He swatted eight more in his fourth game, breaking the program’s single game record. However, in late January he was dismissed from the program, marking his second collegiate release in three years. At the time of his dismissal, Upshaw was leading the nation in blocked shots, with 85. He averaged an astounding 7.2 blocks per 40 minutes and broke the program’s single season record by 18. His presence was missed at Washington; the Huskies were 14-5 prior to his release, and 2-10 after.