2016 NBA Draft: Best perimeter defenders
By Chris Stone
2. Malcolm Brogdon, SG, Virginia
At 23-years old, Virginia’s Malcolm Brogdon is the oldest player on our list and it’s his age that will likely limit his draft ceiling to the back end of the first round. However, Brogdon was one of the best perimeter defenders in all of college basketball last season despite not posting the gaudy numbers traditionally associated with quality wing defenders. In particular, the 6-6 guard averaged just 1.1 steals per 40 minutes as a senior while posting a steal rate lower than two percent.
Although his statistics don’t jump off the page, Brogdon is a fundamentally sound perimeter defender who can use his 6-11 wingspan to guard either the shooting guard or small forward position. He plays with great effort and tenacity on the defensive end, something that he honed during his four years playing in head coach Tony Bennett’s pack-line defense. Brogdon is excellent fighting through screens and his length allows him to close out on shooters along the perimeter. He is not a gambler in passing lanes, but looks to force difficult shots that his front court teammates can clean up off the boards.
Brogdon’s upside may not be as high as a prospect like McCaw’s because of his age, but he is already a quality perimeter defender who should slot in nicely as a role player at the next level.
To read more about Malcolm Brogdon, click here.
Next: 1. Kris Dunn