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2016 NBA Draft: Best pure shooters

By Chris Stone

Mar 18, 2016; Oklahoma City, OK, USA; Oklahoma Sooners guard Buddy Hield (24) shoots past Cal State Bakersfield Roadrunners forward Jaylin Airington (11) during the game in the first round of the 2016 NCAA Tournament at Chesapeake Energy Arena. Mandatory Credit: Mark D. Smith-USA TODAY Sports
Mar 18, 2016; Oklahoma City, OK, USA; Oklahoma Sooners guard Buddy Hield (24) shoots past Cal State Bakersfield Roadrunners forward Jaylin Airington (11) during the game in the first round of the 2016 NCAA Tournament at Chesapeake Energy Arena. Mandatory Credit: Mark D. Smith-USA TODAY Sports /
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Jan 17, 2015; College Park, MD, USA; Michigan State Spartans guard Denzel Valentine (45) shoots a three point shot as Maryland Terrapins guard Melo Trimble (2) defends during the second half at Xfinity Center. Maryland Terrapins defeated Michigan State Spartans 75-59. Mandatory Credit: Tommy Gilligan-USA TODAY Sports
Jan 17, 2015; College Park, MD, USA; Michigan State Spartans guard Denzel Valentine (45) shoots a three point shot as Maryland Terrapins guard Melo Trimble (2) defends during the second half at Xfinity Center. Maryland Terrapins defeated Michigan State Spartans 75-59. Mandatory Credit: Tommy Gilligan-USA TODAY Sports /

2. Denzel Valentine, SG, Michigan State

After averaging 23.3 points, 9.4 assists, and 9.1 rebounds during his final season in a Michigan State uniform, Denzel Valentine is best known for his Swiss army knife-like versatility. What gets overlooked, though, is just how good of a shooter the 22-year old became during his four years in college. The 6-6 guard shot 40.8 percent from deep during his collegiate career, connecting on 265 of his 650 attempts, including an impressive 44.4 percent of his 234 threes in his senior season.

Like Hield, what’s impressive about Valentine is his ability to shoot in a variety of scenarios. He is excellent coming off of screens and in normal catch-and-shoot situations, but he is also capable of pulling up off the dribble having spent much of the season acting as the Spartans’ point guard. Valentine has a decently quick release and he gets good rotation on the ball with great arc.

Although there are questions about his ability to defend at the NBA level, whichever team selects the Spartans’ guard should be getting a player with a high floor who can at least be a productive shooter during his career. Expect Valentine to come off the board somewhere in the first round in June, potentially in the lottery.

To learn more about Denzel Valentine, click here.

Next: 1. Buddy Hield

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