NBA Draft 2013: Brandon Davies scouting report

SB Nation is posting scouting reports of each prospect in the 2013 NBA Draft. Learn more about BYU center Brandon Davies.

NAME: Brandon Davies.

SCHOOL: BYU.

AGE ON DRAFT NIGHT: 21 years, 11 months.

POSITION: Center

MEASUREMENTS: 6’10, 242 pounds, 7’1.5 wingspan, 9’0.5 standing reach.

STATS:

RELEVANT ADVANCED STATS: 68 percent from the free-throw line this season. The mid-range shot will be a key weapon for Davies at the next level.

SB NATION BIG BOARD POSITION: No. 27.

NBA CEILING: Carl Landry.

Brandon Davies is still best known for missing the tail portion of his sophomore season, Jimmer Fredette’s last in Provo, after he broke BYU’s strict abstinence policy for unmarried students. However, in the last two seasons, he has quietly turned himself into an intriguing NBA prospect that’s off the radar of many.

Davies picked up the slack without the Jimmer, carrying the Cougars to the NCAA Tournament as a junior and a 24-win season as a senior. This season, he averaged 18 points, eight rebounds, 2.5 assists and one block a game on 52 percent shooting.

A 6’10, 240-pound big man with a 7’1 wingspan, Davies has a good combination of size, skill and athleticism. While he is a bit of a defensive tweener, he has the versatility to swing between both interior positions on a second unit.

As the primary option at BYU, Davies could hurt opponents in a variety of ways. He is capable of playing with his back to the basket, stretching the floor and attacking his man off the dribble.

Davies can do a lot of things at the next level. The question is whether he can do any one of those things well enough to be a rotation player. He isn’t a great shooter, rebounder or defensive player and no team is going to allow him to create much offense for himself, at least early in his career.

The key will be his mid-range jumper. If he can consistently knock down an 18-foot shot, it will open up the rest of his game and allow him to have a long career in the NBA.

Mid Major Madness:

Davies’ leaping ability makes him a capable rebounder and shot blocker. On the offensive end it allows him to play above the rim for tips and dunks.

He has a level quickness not seen in many bigs. This allows him to create from outside the paint, similar to WCC foe Kelly Olynyk. He is also able and willing to get out in transition. Weighing just 235 pounds at an official height of 6-9 no doubt allows Davies to move quickly.

[But] as I just mentioned, he weighs just 235 pounds. Davies was able to mix it up, normally with great success, against college bigs. But he needs to add strength to be capable in the post at the next level. His ability to stretch the floor is what makes Davies such an effective player. If he doesn’t add size he will lose his interior presence. Without that he’s just a tall, mediocre jump shooter.

Davies will need to hit the weight room to make it as a post player in the NBA. He will also need to work on his face up game if he wants it to be effective against next level defenders.

For more coverage, visit SB Nation’s NBA Draft 2013 section.