In the second of our 10-player prospect profile series, we'll take a look at bruising guard/forward David Roddy. A local player who spent three years at the collegiate level at Colorado State University, Roddy impressed on a number of levels.
He was also one of the six players invited to the Denver Nuggets' first private workout on Tuesday. Roddy had already cemented himself as a fan favorite in the Denver area, and the praise he received at his workout only worked to heighten that.
Similarly to the first player covered in this series -- Wendell Moore Jr of Duke University -- Roddy played through his Junior season at CSU, showing marked improvement in his third collegiate campaign.
Roddy was electrifying during the 2021-22 NCAA season. 19.2 points, 7.5 rebounds, 2.9 assists, 1.2 steals, and 1.1 blocks per game is impressive enough. Then add in historic efficiency -- 57.1% from the field and 43.8% from three -- and you get a bonafide NBA prospect.
His 30.3 PER ranked just outside the top 10 in all of college basketball. And his hard-nosed, effort-driven mentality endeared himself to the fans who got to see him play.
Here, we'll break down Roddy's strengths, areas of improvements, and potential fit with the Nuggets should they use the No. 21 overall pick to select him.
Strengths
Primary Creator around the Rim:
Despite being only 6'5", Roddy resembles something like a bowling ball when he barrels down the lane with the ball in his hands. His two-point field goal percentages have always been strong for a bigger guard, but his Junior year was another level.
He finished his college career with a three-year average of 59.3% shooting within the three-point line. That's massively impressive for a non-big man, and shows the type of creator he can be for himself.
He also can work to get his own shots at the rim when he's off the ball. An expert cutter, screener, and roll man, Roddy is comfortable using just about any method to get the ball in his hands close to the basket. And his frame allows him to finish through contact with ease.
Energetic Defense:
Roddy is a rare type of player that is legitimately capable of guarding four positions. His quick feet allow him to keep up with smaller, faster guards. But his larger frame keeps him grounded against wings and forwards.
Versatility is one of the most sought after traits in today's NBA, and Roddy absolutely exhibits that on the defensive end.
His hands and timing are also strong enough to have averaged over one block and one steal per game in his Junior season.
Areas of Improvement
Ensuring Three-Point Sustainability:
43.8% from beyond the three-point line is massively impressive. But there may be some concern about the 19.5% and 27.8% he posted from that range in his Freshman and Sophomore season.
Generally, even the best three-point shooters in college need time to adjust to the NBA distance. So Roddy coming off of an elite season may be the confidence boost needed to make a quicker-than-expected adjustment.
Needs Time Against Top Competition:
Roddy's time at CSU absolutely made him a Denver favorite. But it didn't give him the chance to face some of the other elite prospects in the 2022 draft class.
But between Summer League and training camp, Roddy has shown the mental and physical gifts necessary to turn that into a non-issue.
Fit With Nuggets
In a bench role, Roddy's fit with the Nuggets appears excellent on paper. In 2021-22, the Nuggets struggled to impose their will defensively, especially on quick guards and skilled wings.
Roddy is capable of guarding both, and striking fear in his opponent when doing so. Pairing a physical defender like Roddy with the flashy offensive skills of players like Bones Hyland and Monte Morris would be a big boost for Denver.
The CSU product is even capable of taking on a small-ball four role given the way he's able to play above his height. The versatility alone would give Roddy a great chance of success with the Nuggets.
There remain a number of great prospects to be seen by the team and covered in this series. Stay tuned for our next breakdown as we quickly approach the June 23 NBA Draft.