The San Antonio Spurs continue to workout college players as the 2011 NBA Draft nears.
Recently they worked out University of Richmond’s big man Justin Harper who had this to say about his workout with the Spurs:
“I shot the ball pretty well,” he said. “It was my first (workout for a team), so I was kind of nervous at first. But as it went along, I got more comfortable.”
Harper is a 6′ 10″, 225 lbs. power forward who averaged 17.9 points, shot 53% from the field, 79% from the free throw line, 6.9 rebounds, 1.2 blocks in 31.8 minutes for Richmond.
Harper’s dramatic improvement goes far beyond standard production. The senior has developed into one of the most efficient scorers in the country, ranking in the 98thpercentile in the NCAA in scoring efficiency according to Synergy Sports Technology. With over 46% of his field goal attempts being categorized as jumpers, the Richmond star has posted marks of 59% shooting from 2-point range and 47% from beyond the arc, percentages that rank him among the likes of Jon Diebler and Derrick Williams as one of the most efficient players in college basketball.
While the practice of evaluating international prospects with size and skill is an annual practice among NBA scouts, rare is the American college player that presents this kind of package at the high level that the Richmond senior does. While he certainly isn’t on the same level as Kevin Durant, it’s easy to make the argument that no college player has so closely resembled the current NBA star since he left the University of Texas four years ago. Harper has shown off an advanced skill set throughout the season, but may have only scratched the surface of what he is capable of from a skills perspective, meaning he could further impress when it comes time for individual workouts. (draftexpress.com)
Harper has a great three-point shooting touch and while with Richmond, he shot 44 percent. He has nice passing ability and seldom commits turnovers. However, he does not have much of low-post moves.
I’m sure Spurs fans are glad to see San Antonio is looking at a big man but what do you have to say Spurs fans? Like what you see with Harper?
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