Malik Monk, Kentucky Wildcats
Position: Guard
Age: 19 (2/4/1998)
Height, Weight, Wingspan: 6’4″, 197 pounds, 6’6″
2016-17 Slash Line: .450/.397/.822
2016-17 Season Averages: 32.1 MPG, 19.8 PPG, 2.5 RPG, 2.3 APG, 0.9 SPG, 2.7 3PM
If not Lonzo Ball, then Malik Monk is the player who can be fairly labeled as the most polarizing prospect in this draft class. He’s a shooting guard in a point guard’s body who can score at will and jump out of the building, but hasn’t yet proven himself as a facilitator.
Monk is also the perfect fit for the triangle offense, however, and that makes him an undeniably appealing prospect.
Monk recorded a 42″ max vertical leap, which is a powerful indication of just how natural his bounce is. He can rise above interior defenders to finish at the rim, and is a blur in transition who can bring Madison Square Garden to life with his flashy finishes.
When he isn’t finishing above the rim, Monk will be trusted to continue what he started in college as a legitimately elite 3-point shooter.
Monk converted 104 3-point field goals on 39.7 percent shooting during his freshman season at Kentucky. He was somewhat inconsistent on defense and as a facilitator, but got to the line quite easily and has flashed the ability to distribute at a respectable level.
Upside comparisons for Monk range from Monta Ellis with a better 3-point shot to a more athletic version of C.J. McCollum. Either outcome would be ideal.