NCAAM: LaVine, 5 players who could have used another year

Jerami Grant: Small Forward/Power Forward, Syracuse Draftposition: 39th Pick, Philadelphia76ers

Grant was the total “upside” pick for the 76ers. He’s one of the best athletes in the draft, but that’s basically all he’s got going for him right now. His offensive game is basically non-existent, other than dunks and offensive rebounds, or dunks off offensive rebounds, if you really want to get specific.

At 20 years old, it might have been a good idea to go back to Syracuse if only to see what it means to be a prominent member of an offense. He was basically just a hustle guy in his two years, and it seems like that’s all he could be in the NBA, as well. Another year of refining his offensive game would have done him well.

Grant’s body type suggests he would be a small forward in the NBA, but his game is more of a hybrid-combo forward. There’s no doubt Grant could develop into a good defender at small forward, but I don’t see him ever being able to play offensively beyond the arc. Because of that reason, Grant will find little playing time. It’s too difficult to play four-on-five, especially when you’re small forward can’t make outside shots.

If there’s hope for Grant, it’s that the league is moving more and more to a small-ball, stretch-four position, which would fit Grant perfectly. Still, refining his skills for another season would have done wonders for his game, and then maybe he’d be looking at the first-round, instead of a mid-second round selection.