By Jimmy Hyams
To few people’s surprise, Tennessee freshman Kennedy Chandler became the Vols’ third one-and-done player in the past two years.
After an outstanding freshman season, in which he averaged 13.9 points and ranked among the SEC leaders in steals, the 6-foot point guard declared for the NBA draft.
He is projected on many mock drafts to be selected between Nos. 20-25 on June 23 in Brooklyn.
How does Chandler rate as an NBA prospect?
“He has elite quickness, a good feel for the game, he can get to spots on the floor, which is important in today’s game,’’ said one NBA scout, who asked not to be identified. “He needs to get stronger, because he gets knocked off his line, knocked off the basket. He struggles to play through contact.
“And he needs to improve his decision making in the pick-and-roll.’’
Chandler’s stock might be a hurt by his lack of height. There aren’t many 6-foot point guards in the NBA.
“He’s not very tall,’’ the scout said. “You’d like your guards to be taller. He needs to be a more consistent shooter. I think he can. He needs to be more consistent because guys at the next level, everybody’s quick. If he’s a more consistent shooter, you can’t play off him.’’
Chandler was not a good free throw shooter at Tennessee. He went from about 90% in high school – his stat — to 60.6% in college. He was prone to slumps. He started his UT career making his first 10 foul shots, but had a three-game stretch where he was 10 of 22. His best game was a 6-for-6 effort.
Is free-throw shooting a concern at the next level?
“Some,’’ the scout said. “But his stroke is fine. In the NBA, that’s all they do (is practice shooting). He has a chance to be a good shooter in the NBA, but I don’t know if he has a chance to be a great shooter.’’
The scout said Chandler’s 6-foot-7 wing span can compensate some for his lack of height, “but at the end of the day, he’s not 6-3 or 6-4.’’
The scout said Chandler needs to improve as a rim finisher.
“I don’t think he finishes very good because he’s not strong enough to play through contact,’’ the scout said. “He didn’t show it a lot, but he has a good floater or runner. When goes to the basket, he sometimes struggles to finish through contact. He’s not strong enough to play through it.’’
Oddly, Chandler was more productive on the road than at home. He averaged 16.1 points on the road, 12.6 at home. He shot 51.4% on the road, 43% at home. He averaged 2.9 steals on the road, 1.7 at home. And his best scoring game was 27 points at Colorado.
But he was a better free-throw shooter at home: 67.2% to 48.4%.
The scout expects UT 6-foot-3 junior guard Santiago Vescovi, who is testing the NBA waters, to return.
“He needs to improve his ball skills so he can create his own shot,’’ the scout said. “He’s gotten better. He’s improved as a defender. At end of the day, he’s a small two guard. Chandler at least has some positional size. For a two guard, Vescovi is very small.’’
Another Tennessee junior, Jordan-Josiah James, is contemplating turning pro. But, like Vescovi, he should return to UT, the scout said.
“I think he’s a really good player, a jack of all trades and a master of none,’’ the scout said. “In time he can possibly make an NBA team because he’s a great kid. He’ll defend and do all the right things. He has intangibles.’’
Do many jack-of-all-trade players make it in the NBA?
“Each team may have one,’’ the scout said, noting PJ Tucker, who played for Vols coach Rick Barnes at Texas. Tucker was on Milwaukee’s NBA title team last year.
“Tucker was a junkyard dog, a defender,’’ the scout said. “He’s stronger and more athletic than James.’’
The scout said James could fit the bill of what a team is seeking.
“James doesn’t check the boxes in terms of off-the-chart athleticism, great ball skills, great shooter,’’ the scout said. “But he does things coaches like, like he can defend multiple positions. He’s smart, has a good basketball IQ.’’
Sponsored by Big Kahuna Wings: The wings that changed it all
