Jalen Green: 2021 Scouting Report

Bio and Measurables:

Strengths: Jalen Green decided to take an alternate path to the NBA draft, in the form of playing with the G-League Ignite. A team consisting of NBA prospects and league veterans Green was able to compete against and be mentored by NBA level talent for an entire season. This is a strength that only a few prospects, outside of the international game chose to pursue and should help him transition to the regimented 82 game schedule during his rookie year. Having the opportunity to play, train and practice with players who have already been in the league should be seen as a major advantage moving forward. The reason this experience is a strength is because, even though the Ignite did not win the G-League championship, their existence helped answer questions about some of the prospects on the team. Green, along with Jonathan Kuminga, proved his status as a top five pick during the bubble season. Physically, Green is one of if not the most explosive prospect in the entire draft. Frequently running from baseline to baseline with ease and hanging in the air to put down a lob from one of his teammates. Transitioning to the next level, as you saw in the G-League, Green will be able to use this explosiveness to his advantage off ball turning into a cutter who can get behind the defense and finish above the rim. Being this athletically gifted makes Green a threat on in the half court but especially on the fast break. Getting Green the ball down hill almost always ends in two points. When the ball is in his hands as the focal point of the offense, he has shown adequate NBA range from behind the arc and the ability to finish inside with contact, creating his own space and frustrating defenders in 1v1 matchups.  At the next level, he should be able to come into any team and immediately score the basketball. While he is not a point guard, and his main focus is to score first, Green has shown that he is comfortable playmaking when there is an opportunity. This should allow him to run the PNR as a ball handler and give organization’s future confidence he can be trust with the ball in late game situations. Look for Green to be the best offensive player in the draft if put in the right situation. 

Areas of Improvement: For as many things as Green does right on offense, his defense and current body can be improved upon to help him reach his full potential. While Green’s explosiveness and ability to hang in the air aids in his ability to finish above and around the rim, he could struggle going up against bigger defenders in the NBA. Even though the G-League is the next step down, the difference in the size of the opposition will matter. Defensively, added strength will help him body up the offensive player without giving up position on the perimeter or on the drive. Outside of adding muscle, the defensive end should be a point of emphasis in his development. Even though he has “jump out of the gym” elevation, his lateral quickness, footwork and ability to turn his hips could all be drastically improved upon. For having such a quick first step on the offensive end, it sometimes feels like Green is dragging his feet on the other side of the floor, getting beat by the offensive player and struggling to recover because of his inability to turn his hips. In the PNR, Green struggles even more. Slowly getting over or coming under the screen man, the ball handler usually has an open shot or open lane to the basket when Green is involved. In my opinion, one of the main issues that could be ailing Green’s defense is his effort on that end of the floor. At points during the season he looked disinterested fighting through pick and rolls or when trying to recover on his man. Finally, Green is being labeled as a three level scorer in his current state. While I do believe he has the potential to becoming a consistent scorer from anywhere on the floor his midrange numbers could have been better this year. Green only converted 9/32 shots from 10-19ft. this year averaging out to a 28% clip from “mid-range”. While he was excellent from around the basket and behind the arc, he will need to become more consistent within the 10-19 foot range going forward. 

External Factors: Instead of playing in college, Green was apart of the inaugural G-League Ignite team. Having access to NBA veteran teammates and playing against NBA level talent should help him adjust faster to the league than some of the other players in the draft.

Medical History: Green has no public injury or medical history that should concern NBA teams. 

Summary: Overall, Green has proven in the last year that going to the G-League is a viable option to becoming a top three prospect. On the offensive end of the floor Green has shown that his explosiveness and leaping ability allow him to play off ball as a cutter. Using his quick first step to create space from his defender and elevate around the rim will become an easy way to get involved in the flow of his teams offense. He also has potential as a three level scorer. Already proving that he has a smooth shooting stroke from behind the arc and the ability to finish around the rim, his mid-range game should continue to improve with time. Green does a lot on the offensive end that you can’t teach in regards to being able to find his own shot in isolation and one on one situations. Defensively, he will need to work on almost everything that makes someone an average defender. While most of it may come down to effort, hiding Green on the defensive end may not be an option for the organization he is drafted by. If he consistently hurts his team on one end of the floor it will be challenging to give him essential development minutes in crunch time. In my opinion, the majority of Green’s areas of improvement can be addressed over time through effort and practice. Some label him as a streaky shooter and I cited his midrange game as a minor concern but both can be corrected with in-game reps. On the defensive end he has shown that he has active hands when guarding the ballhandler, proving he has the potential to defend. If he takes the time to work with his coaching staff to improve his first step and hips, while polishing the rest of his game, he has the potential to become one of the premier guards in the league. 

MIP Projection: #3 Overall