After reclassifying up Thomas Jr. can look back to a successful freshman campaign at UNLV. What's the NBA intrigue? What will his potential role look like? Find out more below.
I commented on reddit, and I'll my comment here as well:
The higher-tier comparison could be Mike Conley, 6'1, 170lbs(in college), lefty (Mike is right-handed but shoot with left hand, Dedan is naturally left-handed), floor-general type true point guard, great at pick-n-roll offense with bigs, great ast/to ratio as a freshman. Mike Conley was always playing as a sidekick to Greg Oden since high school, while Dedan has already taken the leading role(as well as the Ace card on court) as a reclassified freshman. Mike Conley was also super-athletic in terms of speed and vertical, Dedan is quick but we don't know the exact number until the combine.
And the NBA league is no longer in favor of shorter guys these years, it's hard to imagine Dedan drafted as high as 4th pick like Mike Conley in 2007.
Therefore Tyus Jones could be another comparison who was drafted at 24th pick. 6'1 true point guard, but way less athletic than Mike Conley.
By eye test, Dedan's game is much more flashy than Tyus Jone's, I think he's also got some Brandon Jennings/Nick Van Exel (great left-handed point guards) in him.
I commented on reddit, and I'll my comment here as well:
The higher-tier comparison could be Mike Conley, 6'1, 170lbs(in college), lefty (Mike is right-handed but shoot with left hand, Dedan is naturally left-handed), floor-general type true point guard, great at pick-n-roll offense with bigs, great ast/to ratio as a freshman. Mike Conley was always playing as a sidekick to Greg Oden since high school, while Dedan has already taken the leading role(as well as the Ace card on court) as a reclassified freshman. Mike Conley was also super-athletic in terms of speed and vertical, Dedan is quick but we don't know the exact number until the combine.
And the NBA league is no longer in favor of shorter guys these years, it's hard to imagine Dedan drafted as high as 4th pick like Mike Conley in 2007.
Therefore Tyus Jones could be another comparison who was drafted at 24th pick. 6'1 true point guard, but way less athletic than Mike Conley.
By eye test, Dedan's game is much more flashy than Tyus Jone's, I think he's also got some Brandon Jennings/Nick Van Exel (great left-handed point guards) in him.
Being compared to a great guard in Mike Conley is a great compliment for Dedan! Great one, love it.