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2016 NBA Draft: Best Floor Generals

By Chris Stone

Mar 1, 2016; Gainesville, FL, USA; Kentucky Wildcats guard Tyler Ulis (3) moves to the basket against the Florida Gators during the second half at Stephen C. O
Mar 1, 2016; Gainesville, FL, USA; Kentucky Wildcats guard Tyler Ulis (3) moves to the basket against the Florida Gators during the second half at Stephen C. O /
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Mar 5, 2016; East Lansing, MI, USA; Michigan State Spartans guard Denzel Valentine (45) brings the ball up court during the first half of a game against the Ohio State Buckeyes at Jack Breslin Student Events Center. Mandatory Credit: Mike Carter-USA TODAY Sports
Mar 5, 2016; East Lansing, MI, USA; Michigan State Spartans guard Denzel Valentine (45) brings the ball up court during the first half of a game against the Ohio State Buckeyes at Jack Breslin Student Events Center. Mandatory Credit: Mike Carter-USA TODAY Sports /

4. Denzel Valentine, SG, Michigan State

Michigan State’s Denzel Valentine is our first non-point guard prospect who could carve out a significant role for himself in the NBA as a playmaker. The 22-year old is best suited to play shooting guard at the next level, but did spend a significant amount of time as the Spartans’ point guard with the ball in his hands and is more than capable of running an offense. The results for the Spartans were impressive.

Valentine posted one of the highest usage rates in the country at 28.9 percent, but also finished second in assist rate, dishing out a dime on 45.8 percent of made baskets when he was on the floor. He also averaged 9.4 assists per 40 minutes, which is the second highest mark among all 2016 prospects who played in college last season.

Related Story: Denzel Valentine Scouting Report

Valentine lacks the lateral quickness to defend NBA-quality point guards, but he has some upside as a role-playing shooting guard who can command the offense of the second unit against opposing guards coming off the bench who don’t possess the same explosiveness of many of the league’s starters. As a player with a high basketball IQ and excellent court vision, he should find a nice niche in the NBA as a playmaker in the right system.

To read more about Denzel Valentine, click here.

Next: 3. Ben Simmons

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