As the college basketball season progresses, scouts and analysts are closely monitoring the performances of emerging talents who may soon enter the professional ranks. Rasheer Fleming of Saint Joseph’s, Nolan Traore (France), Khaman Maluach (Duke), Danny Wolf (Michigan) and Cedric Coward, who is connected to both Washington State and Duke, have all been elite performers whose numbers jump off the screen. Their size and speed have made them irresistible to most scouts. This article will take a deeper look into the profiles of these athletes and break down their strengths and projected effect on the 2024 NFL Draft.
Rashear Fleming is an interesting power forward prospect that has shown great promise and efficiency as a high-level scorer. With a 64.4 true shooting percentage, he has declared himself one of the most successful players ever to be traded for a second-round pick. Fleming is a big man at 6-foot-8¼, 232 pounds. His boisterous and strong frame helps him more than hold his own in the paint and compete on a nightly basis. His eye-popping 9-1 standing reach and 7-5¼ wingspan only enhance his shot-blocking chops. His toughness and tenacity combined with his position versatility range makes him an asset in both offensive and defensive situations.
Nolan Traore, the 6-foot-3 point guard who was born in France, brings a much different game to the table. His true shooting percentage of 51.0 may not jump off the page, but he has made exploratory flickers of playmaking promise. At 6’3 and 175 pounds, Traore has an intriguing mixture of size, stature, ball handling ability, and speed. With these qualities, he operates like a gaudy maestro amongst his defenders. He boasts a remarkable 8-5½ standing reach and 6-8 wingspan. These qualities allow him to penetrate plays on the other side of the line despite a leaner build than most other defensive tackles.
Khaman Maluach: A Towering Presence
Duke’s Khaman Maluach has become arguably the most touted center in college basketball. The frosh has an incredible true shooting percentage of 74.7, which shows how efficient he’s been when he’s gotten a chance to score. Towering at 7 feet 0¾ inches and weighing 252 pounds, Maluach’s physical stature is impossible to miss. His outstanding 9-6 standing reach allows him to control the paint defensively. It’s this exact same height that allows him to flourish in a big way on offense.
At 7-6¾ for his wingspan, that further distance cements his potential as a major shot-blocker and rebounder. His combination of size, skill, and efficiency has led many analysts to consider him a strong candidate for early selection in the draft. It’s no wonder that observers are saying how his progress this season could have a huge effect on his draft stock.
Danny Wolf and Cedric Coward: Versatile Threats
Danny Wolf from Michigan is another junior power forward drawing some big-time buzz. With a true shooting percentage of 56.6, he’s proven to have a versatile ability to score that is clearly above the norm for an NBA player. Measuring 6’10½” and 251 pounds, Wolf cuts an intimidating figure in the box. His freakish size lets him dominate on both sides of the ball. His rare standing reach of 9-1 and wingspan of 7-2¼ make him an intimidating shot contestor. That combination makes him a more than useful shot blocker and deterrent near the rim.
Cedric Coward formerly played for Washington State and Duke. Now, he’s earning buzz as one of the top small forward prospects. He’s scoring at a 71.0 true shooting clip, highlighting his elite scoring ability. Coward stands at 6’5 ¼” & 213 lbs. His standing reach of 8-10 combined with a wingspan of 7-2¼ allows him to be a two-way player who can effectively guard multiple positions.
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