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2016 NBA Draft: Most overrated prospects

By Chip Williams

Mar 17, 2016; Des Moines, IA, USA; Kentucky Wildcats guard Jamal Murray (23) dribbles against the Stony Brook Seawolves in the first round of the 2016 NCAA Tournament at Wells Fargo Arena. Mandatory Credit: Steven Branscombe-USA TODAY Sports
Mar 17, 2016; Des Moines, IA, USA; Kentucky Wildcats guard Jamal Murray (23) dribbles against the Stony Brook Seawolves in the first round of the 2016 NCAA Tournament at Wells Fargo Arena. Mandatory Credit: Steven Branscombe-USA TODAY Sports /
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Jan 31, 2016; East Lansing, MI, USA; Michigan State Spartans guard Denzel Valentine (45) passes the ball against the Rutgers Scarlet Knights during the second half of a game at Jack Breslin Student Events Center. Mandatory Credit: Mike Carter-USA TODAY Sports
Jan 31, 2016; East Lansing, MI, USA; Michigan State Spartans guard Denzel Valentine (45) passes the ball against the Rutgers Scarlet Knights during the second half of a game at Jack Breslin Student Events Center. Mandatory Credit: Mike Carter-USA TODAY Sports /

2. Denzel Valentine, SG, Michigan State

Denzel Valentine was one of the best players in college basketball last season. Go look at the national player of the year awards and every single one of them either has Buddy Hield or Denzel Valentine’s name on it.

Valentine has parlayed his success in college into most mock drafts having him selected in the top 20 and some even as high as the late-lottery. But there are several questions about just how well Valentine’s game will translate at the next level.

For starters, he’s a liability on defense, and there’s no way to sugarcoat it. Tom Izzo had to try and hide Valentine on defense all year. He can’t stay in front of his man on the ball and far too often he loses his man off the ball. He’s going to be a liability on defense in the NBA.

Then there’s the question about his ability to create his own shot and create offense for others. Valentine is a very average and possibly even below-average athlete. He couldn’t turn the corner in college and that is only going to get more difficult at the next level. His inability to get past his defender will hurt his ability to get to the rim, where he’s not a very good finisher anyways, and create shots for his teammates.

Valentine pretty much had free reign at Michigan State to do whatever he wanted offensively, and that won’t be the case in the NBA. Will he be able to make smarter decisions with the basketball in a more defined role?

The one thing Valentine clearly has working in his favor and what should ultimately make him stick in the NBA is his shooting, but with so many other questions about his game, he’s going too high in mocks right now. It feels a bit like he’s getting the Draymond Green bump because who wants to be the next GM that missed out on another great Michigan State senior? Valentine is not nearly the prospect Green was.

To read more about Denzel Valentine, click here.

Next: 1. Malachi Richardson

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