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The Daily Wildcat

The Daily Wildcat

 

Former ‘Cats Pre-Draft Profiles

Rebecca+Noble+%2F+Arizona+Summer+WildcatThen-Arizona+guard+TJ+McConnell+%284%29%2C+then-Arizona+forward+Rondae+Hollis-Jefferson+%2823%29%2C+then-Arizona+forward+Brandon+Ashley+%2821%29%2C+and+then-Arizona+forward+Stanley+Johnson+%285%29+during+Arizonas+68-60+win+in+the+Sweet+Sixteen+of+the+NCAA+Tournament+in+the+Staples+Center+in+Los+Angeles%2C+Calif.+on+March+26.

Rebecca Noble / Arizona Summer Wildcat


Then-Arizona guard TJ McConnell (4), then-Arizona forward Rondae Hollis-Jefferson (23), then-Arizona forward Brandon Ashley (21), and then-Arizona forward Stanley Johnson (5) during Arizona’s 68-60 win in the Sweet Sixteen of the NCAA Tournament in the Staples Center in Los Angeles, Calif. on March 26.

Stanley Johnson:

Pros: Stanley Johnson looked like a man amongst boys in his lone season at Arizona. Johnson only averaged 13.8 points and 6.5 rebounds per game, but being on the same team with three other NBA draft hopefuls can be difficult. The 6-foot-7 Johnson weighs 245 pounds, so physicality will be an easy transition for him.

Cons: Even though Johnson took over the role as leader of Arizona, he still needs to work on finding his jump shot. His range expanded as the season progressed, especially in the post season. If Johnson can develop a consistent jump shot in the NBA, he will have a promising future as either a shooting guard or small forward.

Rondae

Hollis-Jefferson:

Pros: The artist formerly known as “Shim Reaper” has a huge upside as he enters the NBA draft. Hollis-Jefferson is an athletic wing that can defend any position from point guard to power forward. His stingy defense, energy and likeable personality are all traits that NBA scouts drool over.

Cons: Even though Hollis-Jefferson has late first-round teams crossing their fingers that his name will still be availabile, he still needs to work on his offensive game. Hollis-Jefferson can only hit a jump shot as long as it’s within 10 feet to the basket. He can still be drafted as sixth man to come off the bench and just play strictly defense, as which he can improve his own craft.

Brandon Ashley:

Pros: Ashley took a big step offensively his junior season by developing a consistent mid-range jump shot that stretched out to 18 feet. The jumper gives the 6-foot-9 forward more versatility on the offensive side to match a solid defensive skill set. Ashley was also one of Arizona’s top rebounders.

Cons: While Ashley showed glimpses of great potential throughout his college career, he struggled with consistency. Ashley was also knocked for not being aggressive enough inside, especially following his season-ending injury as a sophomore. If Ashley is to have a long NBA career, he’ll need to get used to banging with guys down low.

T.J. McConnell:

Pros: McConnell never forced the issue in college and always had a great feel for the game. He is a tenacious defender with great anticipation for steals. He was a tremendous passer with great awareness on offense and defense. He was a true pass-first point guard who knew when to look for his shot.

Cons: McConnell lacks the ideal explosiveness an NBA team would want from a point guard. He might have difficulty creating his own shot at the next level due to average quickness and a low-release jump shot. He is a bit undersized at 6-foot-1 with a 6-foot wingspan and shoots free throws at just a 75 percent clip, General managers and scouts might deem him too old, because he is already 23.

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