Disclaimer: This piece does not reflect the views of the Minnesota Timberwolves organization.
Sophomore, SF, Arizona
6’7”, 211 LBS
5.0 % Body Fat (8th lowest in draft class)
7’2” Wing Span
8’8” Standing Reach
College Stats In 2014-15:
38 games, 28.7 MPG, 11.2 PPG, 6.8 RPG, 1.6 APG, 1.2 SPG, 0.8 BPG, 50.2 FG%, 20.7 3P%, 70.7 FT%
Where He’ll Go:
Most draft experts to somewhere between 20-30 in the first round.
Best Game In 2014-15:
On February 15 against Washington State, Hollis-Jefferson was a big part of Arizona’s 86-59 win. He was nearly perfect from everywhere besides the free-throw line. He finished with 17 points, 10 rebounds, one assist, one steal and one block. He shot an incredible 8-of-9 from the field, but finished just 1-of-6 from the free-throw line, which is odd for a 70 percent free-throw shooter.
Scouting Report:
The team that drafts Hollis-Jefferson will be getting a player who should be able to translate immediately to the defensive side of the ball. He might be the best defensive wing player in the draft.
There will always be a role for a player like Hollis-Jefferson in the NBA. What Hollis-Jefferson isn’t so solid at is his offense. Most of his offense is actually created off of his defense, almost Corey Brewer-like.
He also has the same fun-loving attitude that Brewer has – a very likeable person.
He was asked what teams he worked out for at the Combine.
His response?
“What if I miss a team? What would ya’ll feel about that?”
For what it’s worth, Hollis-Jefferson did not work out for the Timberwolves.
Hollis-Jefferson is not a great shooter, despite his 50.2 field goal percentage. Most of those points came in transition. The number to really look at is his 20.7 three-point percentage. It’s something that Hollis-Jefferson has recognized as a weakness and he plans to address that before the Draft.
“My jump shot (is the main thing I need to work on),” he said. “(I) just want to make sure teams know that if they’re going to leave me open, I’m going to knock that shot down.”
That isn’t necessarily a red flag for him because he acknowledged it as a weakness. Another weakness on the offensive end is his dribbling and ball handling.
As far as character, he seems like a solid young man. He’s got a sense of humor and gets people to smile almost immediately when he walks into the room. That won’t translate on the court, but will be appreciated in every NBA locker room.
“I’m a great kid for the most part. (Teams) ain’t got to worry about me being a liability outside of basketball. I’m willing to work… Nobody out there is going to work harder than me.”
Twitter Talk
Quotable
“They ask me what type of kid am I. What type of people I have around me? What can I bring to the table? What can I bring them as a whole, not just as a basketball player? Honestly, I tell them (to) expect an A-plus guy. One who's going to work hard... I'm really passionate about the game.” – Hollis-Jefferson on what teams asked him at the Combine and how he replied to those questions.