The Detroit Pistons have selected Georgia shooting guard Kentavious Caldwell-Pope with the No. 8 pick in the 2013 NBA Draft.
NBA Draft 2013: Detroit Pistons select Kentavious Caldwell-Pope with No. 8 pick
The Pistons could have taken local point guard Trey Burke, but instead opted for the smooth-shooting Kentavious Caldwell-Pope at No. 8.
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Caldwell-Pope was expected by many to go in the top 10, but this is somewhat of a surprise. The Pistons chose to take the sharpshooter from Georgia over the local guy in Michigan point guard Trey Burke.
Kentavious Caldwell-Pope scouting report
More on Kentavious Caldwell-Pope Playing a bit under the radar at Georgia, Caldwell-Pope was one of the top wing scorers in the country as a sophomore, averaging 18.5 points on 43.3 percent shooting and 37.3 percent from three-point range. The 6’6 guard was also an excellent rebounder for his position, pulling down 7.1 rebounds per game on the year.
Caldwell-Pope significantly improved his shooting from his freshman to his sophomore year. It was a huge key to his success, as more than half his shots came from beyond the arc. In addition to his solid three-point shooting, Caldwell-Pope also has the ability to hit tough jumpers off the dribble, a huge weapon in the NBA. His scoring ability and athleticism makes him an intriguing prospect at the next level.
On a team loaded with combo guards, Caldwell-Pope offers prototypical size for a shooting guard (6'6) and could be a solid player on both ends. If the Pistons turn out to have a legitimate long-term option at point guard in Brandon Knight, this pick could leave them set at both backcourt positions for a while.
In a league where quality shooting guards are increasingly scarce, Caldwell-Pope stands out for his combination of size and scoring ability. With all of the tools to be an effective two-way player at the next level, it’s easy to see why Detroit would take a shot on the Georgia product.
After drafting Knight, Andre Drummond and Greg Monroe over the past three years, landing a quality wing was the next step for Detroit. In Caldwell-Pope, the team may have exactly that.
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