Bub Carrington, Jamal Shead, Anton Watson, Blake Hinson
Brian breaks down some NBA Draft prospects. He breaks down guard Bub Carrington, guard Jamal Shead, wing Anton Watson, and wing Blake Hinson
After a break due to Finals, we are back! In this article we are breaking down some pretty interesting prospects. These prospects are from the University of Pittsburgh, University of Houston, and Gonzaga University. So let’s jump in without any further ado.
Carlton “Bub” Carrington/Pittsburgh
George Michalowski
Carlton “Bub” Carrington is a big PG that has shown an ability as a scorer. He came onto the scene early on in the college season when he dropped a triple double in his first ever college game. He’s had an up and down season but has really flashed at moments. He’ll be someone of interest for sure. He has entered the draft and has forgone his college eligibility so he will be in this draft.
Personal Opinion
I think it was probably the wrong move to forgo eligibility but it’s hard to fault him when teams were really excited to see him. He had initially said that he was going to return to Pittsburgh in a press conference after a game. Was that a statement that was in the moment, or did he get a promise from someone to stay in? Or did he just rethink it and change his mind. Either way, it’s something to wonder about. I like the idea of Carrington, but he has got to get stronger. There’s no way around it. If he can do that and be more consistent, there’s some real potential there.
Fantasy
Despite the fact he had a triple double this season, he didn’t really end up having a lot of huge positives for fantasy. The shooting should improve, good rebounding, hopefully some better passing, but he’s not someone that gets a lot of defensive stats. If he hits, given his size, he could hit pretty big though. I think he could have some top 70 potential in him, but he’s someone that I don’t see a high floor for, especially in fantasy. So we will see.
If Carlton fails in the league, Why?
He struggles to be efficient from the field, and is targeted on defense due to his size. He doesn’t develop offensively and becomes a negative when he’s on the court. If he struggles to play off the ball, it could be a struggle, and if he struggles as a PG, it will be hard to play him.
A lot of NBA guys here and a decent amount of top picks. Obviously Carrington is a level below some of these other guys, but he’s in that mold. Interesting Rob Dillingham is in this group too.
Big Performance Highlights
November 6th vs. North Carolina A&T
18 Pts, 12 Reb, 10 Ast, 2 To, 7-12 FG, 4-7 3PT
So while he did get this triple double, it's important to remember that it was against North Carolina A&T, and this game was a 48 point blowout. However, Carrington played really well in this one and hit his shots, and stuffed the stat sheet.
24 Pts, 5 Reb, 3 Ast, 2 To, 9-17 FG, 4-8 3PT, 2-2 FT
This was against the University of North Carolina, so a big step in competition. This was in the ACC tournament and Carrington was carrying Pitt in this game. They ended up losing by 7 and it cost them a tournament chance, but this was a really solid end against a much better defensive team.
Jamal Shead/Houston
Player Page
Now let’s go to the polar opposite of Bub Carrington as a PG prospect, Jamal Shead. The calling card for Shead is his defense. He’s a strongly built guard that really gets his chest into people. He’s a small guard though, and he can’t shoot. The advanced stats loved Shead and he was the best non center in college basketball this season. Consensus First Team All-American, helped lead Houston to a #1 seed, and did a good job taking over Marcus Sasser who left for the NBA last season as the lead guard.
Personal Opinion
Jamal Shead’s defense is legit. He plays way bigger than his size and he makes life miserable for opponents. Despite the fact that he can’t shoot very well, the advanced metrics are all way high on Shead. I remember going through some of the advanced metrics like BPR and PRBG! and seeing Shead at the top of college basketball from start to finish. That’s when I first really considered him. For what it’s worth, he was 3rd in college basketball in BPR, only behind Zach Edey and Donovan Clingan. Shead has been in the top 50 for the past 3 seasons. He’s a big time impact player. He’s a big reason why Houston has been as good as they have been. I’m not worried about the size concerns as much, but I am a bit more worried about the shot. If he can’t shoot, it’s going to be tough for him despite his defense. It’s risky picking a small guard who can’t shoot, especially high in the draft at this point. However, Shead has everything else you would want. It wouldn’t shock me at all if he’s a top 10 player from this class when it’s all said and done, but there’s no way I’m taking him near there. I feel good about him in the second round though.
Fantasy
We know he can play off the ball, as he’s done it for years. So what he’s done these past few seasons is what he can do in the NBA. If he ends up starting he could have some top 100 seasons, but it will base a lot on the steals, decent blocks and low turnovers. He’s not a high scorer, but he can pass the ball. If he does hit, in a lot of casual fantasy leagues, Shead could be someone that could be very underrated, but in competitive leagues, managers will know his value as a good player that can swing the defensive stat categories. In dynasty, despite the fact he has a lower ceiling and could end up being a bench player, he could be someone that could be harder to trade for than the average backup PG due to the defensive stats.
If Jamal fails in the league, Why?
He’s too small and struggles to be top of the crop as a defender in the NBA, and his offense doesn’t come around, so it’s hard for him to be a positive on the court. He could be someone who opponents dare to shoot, and live with it if he hits the shots.
This is the type of player Shead can be in the NBA. It’s unlikely that he will be a big time rotation player given his size, but Dunn, Frazier, and MCW isn’t a bad company to be in given the defense.
Big Performance Highlights
29 Pts, 4 Reb, 10 Ast, 2 Stl, 2 To, 12-16 FG, 2-3 3PT, 3-3 FT
Shead was hot in this game and was running the show for the Cougars. They won this game by 23 points against a very good Texas Tech team. Shead was getting all of his teammates involved which led to the blowout.
26 Pts, 4 Reb, 6 Ast, 3 Stl, 2 To, 6-10 FG, 2-3 3PT, 12-13 FT
Iowa State was a top 10 team in the country this season, and Houston barely won this game by 8. Shead was a monster in this game and was consistently getting to the line. On the opposing side, Tamin Lipsey (Iowa’s PG) had a really hard time in this game too.
Anton Watson/Gonzaga
Photo: Erick Doxey
Anton Watson is a wing that has spent all 5 of his collegiate seasons at Gonzaga University. He’s played with a lot of really good players and even was on the team that went undefeated in the regular season. Watson is a wing that can defend and handle the ball. He has a questionable shot and that will ultimately determine his ceiling.
Personal Opinion
I think he’s got a chance. He’s been a very good player on a very good college team. He can defend, handle the ball and the advanced numbers back that up. He’s not a high usage guy which does help his NBA outlook. However, I don’t think he’s good enough to have the ball in his hands, and I am very skeptical of the shot, which makes it tough for me to see him have a huge impact in the NBA. If he can develop into a threat from 3, he’ll last a while in the NBA, and probably be a starter.
Fantasy
The assists from the wing will be valuable, the good steals and rebounding. He knows what he’s good at and has shown that he can be efficient from the field despite his woes from the 3PT line. Knowing what you are good at is half the battle, so he’s an interesting bet from a fantasy perspective. If he does hit, figures out the shot and becomes respectable, he could have some top 100 seasons, but we need to remember his age. In dynasty leagues, he’ll be someone worth taking a flier on late in the drafts. 50+ and on should be an adequate range. Even as a UDFA, he should have some interest from someone.
If Anton fails in the league, Why?
He’s not good enough to have the ball in his hands and a lot of the value he provides isn't that valuable to NBA teams because he doesn’t do it at a high enough level. The lack of shot could hinder his minutes too.
Now, there’s some interesting names here for Anton, but the shot will be the swing skill. He’s not as big or athletic as most of the names on this list. He’s not the shooter Dylan Windler was. However, there’s not anyone with his build and tools that currently is in the NBA. So he’ll need to shoot it given his physical skills. There’s a few names that were there this season that were interesting too. (Murray-Boyles, Williams, Minix)
Big Performance Highlights
16 Pts, 10 Reb, 2 Ast, 1 Stl, 1 To, 6-10 FG, 1-1 3PT, 3-4 FT
Gonzaga lost this game by 2, but not at the fault of Watson in this one. He had a really efficient game and got a double double in the process. Watson was the only reason why this game was close and made some key plays down the stretch.
21 Pts, 6 Reb, 1 Ast, 1 Stl, 2 Blk, 8-11 FG, 1-2 3PT, 4-4 FT
This was in the second round of the NCAA tournament where Gonzaga crushed a hurt Kansas team. They won this game by 21 points, and Watson was a big reason why. You can see the framework of a pretty good fantasy player. Take away some of the points and usage and that type of player still has some value.
Blake Hinson/Pittsburgh
Player Page
Blake Hinson has had a rough college career. He started out at Ole Miss where he was solid for two seasons. He transferred to Iowa State and didn’t play a game for them, as he dealt with a lot of health issues. (Covid related). He transferred to Pitt and he found new life there. He does one thing at an elite level which keeps teams interested.
Personal Opinion
He’s a very good shooter and he’s a better shooter than the numbers indicate. I want to buy in, but given his age and defensive concerns, I don’t think I’ll ever spend draft capital on him unless he blows up at the Elite camp, and probably the combine too. However, I’d be interested in getting him on a two-way if possible.
Fantasy
He’s not going to be a good fantasy player in the NBA. He’ll be a good 3PT streamer, but he probably won’t be more than that. If he were to start, I don’t think he’d even be a top 150 player. Duncan Robinson isn’t the best fantasy player and that’s probably his ceiling.
If Blake fails in the league, Why?
His defense really holds him back and he gets targeted there. If his offense isn’t at that elite level and he isn’t used as an elite off ball shooter, it’s going to be hard to justify having him on the court.
He’s not the offensive threat that McDermott was, and he’s not Hauser either. Even then, Hauser went undrafted. The other interesting name that went undrafted is Duncan Robinson, but there was a lot of improvement from him after college. Cole Swider on this list as well. Makes you wonder if Miami could be an interesting target for him.
Big Performance Highlights
21 Pts, 9 Reb, 1 Stl, 1 Blk, 8-19 FG, 4-12 3PT, 1-4 FT
Hinson was chucking shots in this one, but did a good job rebounding the ball. Pitt lost this game by 4 points, but you’d also like more from your teammates in this one, so it's hard to blame Hinson too much.
41 Pts, 5 Reb, 1 To, 14-24 FG, 9-13 3PT, 4-5 FT
Hinson was on fire in this game and carried the offense in this game for the Panthers. Louisville was not a good team this season and Pitt won this game by 37 points, so overall a really good game. Hinson was a big reason for the blowout.
Final Thoughts
Carlton Carrington is a tall lanky guard that has really had some big flashes. He needs to clean up his shot selection, but he’s a really good pull up shooter. If he hits, he’s going to hit in a pretty big way and be a real player in a playoff atmosphere. I’m worried about the inconsistencies but he’s young. I currently have Carrington at 26 on my big board. In the recent Dizzle Dynasty Mock, Carlton “Bub” Carrington went 36th to the Minnesota Timberwolves. Bub Carrington was invited to the NBA Draft Combine.
Jamal Shead is a fiesty guard that has been an instrumental piece of the Houston Cougars for the past 3 seasons. The concerns are the size, and the shooting with Shead, but he’s been so good on defense that he could come into the league as an above average defender immediately despite his size. I currently have Jamal Shead at 50 on my big board. In the recent Dizzle Dynasty Mock, Jamal Shead went 53rd to the Indiana Pacers. Jamal Shead was invited to the NBA Draft Combine
Anton Watson is a toolsy wing that can handle the ball and get to the rim. The questions with him revolve around his shot and that will be the swing skill. He’s been an instrumental piece of Gonzaga for the last 5 seasons. I currently have Anton Watson in my top 80. In the recent Dizzle Dynasty Mock, Anton Watson went undrafted. Anton recently got a G League Elite Camp invite.
Blake Hinson is an electric 3PT shooter that isn’t afraid to let it fly. He’s got to develop more as a defender, and his age does hold him back, but there is potential for him to be a rotation player. I currently have Blake Hinson just outside my top 80. In the recent Dizzle Dynasty Mock, Blake Hinson went undrafted. Blake recently got a G League Elite Camp invite.