With the Charlotte Hornets set to make a selection in next month’s draft, should the team take a chance on a talented forward from Gonzaga?
It’s almost time for the NBA Draft, and the Charlotte Hornets have a lot of talent to choose from this year. One standout player who has appeared in many mock drafts for Charlotte has been Brandon Clarke from Gonzaga.
Clarke is a player who only played three years in college, and he played for two different schools, San Jose State and Gonzaga. Clarke missed the 2018-19 season, due to the NCAA’s transfer policy.
Clarke had a great outing at the NBA’s Draft Combine, and he also seemed to impress scouts when he worked out for the Hornets. It would even seem that he also made a great first impression with Charlotte when they first met at the Draft Combine.
About Brandon Clarke
Height: 6’8”
Weight: 207 pounds
Wingspan: 6’8″
2018-19 stats: 16.9 points, 8.6 rebounds, 3.2 blocks, 68% FG, 28.1 minutes
Strengths:
- Great shot blocker
- Can play the three and four spot
- Finishes well through contact
- Great rebounder
- Can score at ease off the dribble
- Experienced college athlete
- Shows a lot of energy and effort
Weaknesses:
- Undersized for the frontcourt
- Releases ball low on jump shot
- Must improve perimeter shooting
- Struggles at the free throw line
- Older player turns 23 in September
- Must work on limiting turnovers
Clarke is a prospect who seems to be becoming an underdog in this year’s draft. He’s a hard worker who is on a mission to prove everyone wrong. He has a high motor and great athleticism for his size.
He’s an older college prospect that is set to turn twenty-three in September. Despite his age, coaches should take into account that he’s an experienced college athlete.
Last season, Clarke had the best college season of his collegiate career; he averaged 16.9 points, 8.6 rebounds, and 3.2 blocks for Gonzaga. During this past season, he also finished the year with thirteen double-doubles, and a season-high in points in a game with 36.
It’s no secret that Clarke knows how to score, but he must find a way to do it in multiple ways since he’s undersized for the four-spot. Since he struggles at the free throw, he made up for it by shooting 68% from the field last season.
A player of his skill set reminds me of Michael Kidd-Gilchrist, but I believe Clarke is more offensively gifted. Unlike Kidd-Gilchrist, Clarke feels comfortable taking a three-point shot, but the only thing wrong with it is his awkward release.
Here’s what I meant: pic.twitter.com/NfDKWta0un
— Rick Bonnell (@rick_bonnell) May 20, 2019
When Clarke releases the ball from beyond the arc, he releases around his throat. This is really low for a shooter, and this should be something that he continues to work on.
Clarke is also a terrific defender, and I think he could really help the Hornets on the defensive side of the court. Charlotte was ranked 22nd in defense with a defensive rating of 111.9 last season; the Hornets need a defensive upgrade.
I like this prospect a lot, and I believe he has a lot to offer to the Hornets. He doesn’t seem like a traditional NBA power-forward, but I think that he would fit a hybrid role similar to Marvin Williams’.
This prospect has a lot of talent, and I would be surprised if Charlotte doesn’t consider him if he’s still available at the 12th pick. Mitch Kupchak has a lot of options in front of him for this draft; it would be hard for him to go wrong.