Michael Foster Jr. Scouting Report

Michael Foster Jr. continues to improve his game during his time in the G-League. While he may not be the star some of his other teammates are, Foster Jr. is poised for a successful NBA career. 

Bio and Measurables:

Strengths: Foster, like his G-League Ignite teammate Jaden Hardy, is a top ten recruit  from the 2021 class. Currently averaging 14.8/8.8/2.0 with shooting splits of 49.0/31.3/75.0, Michael Foster has shown why he was considered one of the best players in the nation. A forward that has good size and strength for his position he will only become more physically imposing on both ends of the floor as he matures. His physical gifts allow him to be an active rebounder on both ends and get deep into the post when given the chance to back down his defender. While he isn’t an elite leaper or rim gazer, he does get off the ground quickly aiding his ability to win 50/50 balls. In transition, Foster has shown in the past that he can start the break off a rebound but has recently been differing to his guards and playing within his role on the Ignite. Understanding how to file the lane correctly coupled with the coordination to catch and finish around the rim had led to easy transition points throughout the G-league showcase. An offensive minded forward Foster can space the floor with his occasional three point shooting and should continue to improve as a three point shooter as the season continues. While Foster can shoot the three, the majority of his offensive game runs through the post. As previously mentioned Foster uses his strength to get deep into the post and finish around the rim. Being able to finish on both sides of the block he challenges defenders every time he touches the ball.  When he is not backing the defender down he has shown he can create space through a post fade. In addition to his post offense versatility the relief of not seeing nearly as many double teams as he did during high school has allowed his game to breathe. However, based on his past experiences he has proven that when challenged with multiple defenders he remains calm and works through the extra pressure. Currently, his passing ability stands at flashes of playmaking potential which should develop moving forward. If he can expand his court vision and become a playmaker out of the post it will only increase his chances of breaking into a starting lineup during his career. An area that Foster has improved upon and should look to continue to build on is his ability to play within his role. Taking a step back from being the focal point of the offense has helped Foster understand where to pick and choose his spots.

Areas of Improvement: Foster with so much potential has areas of his game he can continue to improve. On the surface his shooting splits show an efficient player but going forward he should look to develop his three point shooting so he can be a true floor spacer at the next level. Currently averaging only one three point attempt a game, additional volume when it fits the flow of the offense should help him improve over time. In addition to his lack of three point attempts he is only averaging a pair of free throw attempts which is frustrating given the size and strength he has been shown to have. Shooting 75% from the line may be a bit deceiving but he won’t improve if he isn’t able to get to the line in game. This also leads to a question about his offensive aggression when he receives the ball in the post, on many possessions when Foster has position he will back you into the paint and work for a layup however, if he is met with resistance you can force him into taking a bad shot out of the post. While he does have the ability to make jump fades they aren’t always the best shot on the floor, which should come with developing as a passer. Looking at Foster’s jumpshot, he is fluid and looks to have strong mechanics from the shoulders down, the one question mark that may arise is how far he brings the ball back. When watching him live and in highlights he brings the ball behind his head when shooting three point attempts this could become less efficient in the NBA as the size, length and speed of the game increases.

Defensively, he doesn’t have the athletic ability to be an elite shot blocker or rim protect and lacks the length to be a consistent disruptor in passing lanes. Moving forward he should continue to work on his defensive positioning and team defense. He isn’t the slowest defender and can challenge shots but has found himself out of position during times this season.

External Factors: As a member of the G-League Ignite, the nineteen year old is getting real time experience against NBA level talent. While he may be back in the league, after getting drafted, playing at NBA speeds is only going to help him develop quicker in the long term. 

Medical History: Foster Jr. does not have any medical history that is going to impact his draft stock. If he can remain healthy through the rest of the year it should only help him come draft day. 

Summary: Expect Foster’s draft stock to fluctuate in the next few months. As prospects emerge from the college ranks, getting a bit more media exposure than the Ignite, we anticipated Foster Jr. to be a solid second round pick when the dust settles. It will be hard for Foster to move up draft boards because it doesn’t seem that he will be able to do anything elite at the next level. If he can continue to work on his current game, specifically improving his efficiency, free throw attempts and defensive ability, he should be a solid rotation player in the future. Based on his age and the rising talent level in the NBA Foster will most likely spend the majority of his rookie season back in the G-League.

MIP Projection: Second Round