If you aren't yet familiar with G League Ignite star Jalen Green, it's time to get to know the potential top-five pick in the 2021 NBA Draft.
Green was the No. 1-ranked high school prospect in ESPN's Top 100 for the class of 2020. The 6-foot-6, 178-pound guard received offers from all of the premier schools around the country before electing to forgo his college eligibility and pave a new road to the NBA as the headliner of the G League's new development team.
Suiting up for the Ignite in this season's G League bubble, Green averaged 17.9 points, 4.1 rebounds, 2.8 assists and 1.5 steals per game while shooting 46.1 percent from the field and 36.5 percent from 3. He ended his first pro season with an exclamation point, going off for 30 points, seven assists, five boards and three steals in the Ignite's only playoff game.
MORE: Scouting report for Ignite two-way prospect Jonathan Kuminga
What will the 19-year-old bring to the NBA team that selects him?
Strengths
Green is a fluid scorer who can get a bucket in a variety of ways.
His jump-out-of-the-gym athleticism pairs nicely with his lightning-quick first step for highlight reel finishes when he attacks the basket off the dribble. That same leaping ability also makes him a lethal cutter and transition scorer, taking very little time to load up and bounce.
He's a confident dribbler with a knack for creating space, especially when it comes to his step-back jumper. He's a shot creator in every sense of the term.
Green can score from all three levels, operate as a pick-and-roll ball handler and has shown improvement as an off-ball scorer, using his quickness to slither through defences to generate looks. While his playmaking ability could still use some polishing, he flashed growth as a passer this past season.
With an arsenal of offensive weapons, Green is a tough matchup for any defender.
Weaknesses
While Green's jump shot mechanics are smooth, he can be a streaky shooter.
His efficiency in the G League bubble was solid as a whole but he did have two games where he went 0-for-7 from 3-point range, one game where he went 0-for-6 and also had a 1-for-6 and 2-for-7 sprinkled in. Improving as a catch-and-shoot shooter would be a major step toward becoming more consistent in that aspect.
Although he is developing as a passer, there's still plenty of progress to be made there. Getting better at creating for his teammates will only help complete his offensive package, keeping the defence on their toes. He can make simple plays out of the pick-and-roll, but he won't wow you with his reads as a playmaker.
Defensively is where Green needs to improve the most. His thin frame (178 lbs.) will limit him when he first gets to the next level, and his attentiveness and activity leaves some to be desired. Building up some size and strength as he grows into his body will be a start on that end of the floor, but his defensive intensity could use an uptick.
Projected NBA Draft Position: 1-5
Projected NBA Role: Primary scorer
Shades of: young Ray Allen, Zach LaVine, Kelly Oubre Jr., Ben McLemore
The views expressed here do not represent those of the NBA or its clubs.