Isaiah Briscoe, Kentucky Wildcats
Position: Point Guard
Age: 21 (4/13/1996)
Height, Weight, Wingspan: 6’2.75″, 222 pounds, 6’9″
2016-17 Slash Line: .470/.288/.635
2016-17 Season Averages: 30.4 MPG, 12.1 PPG, 5.4 RPG, 4.2 APG, 0.8 SPG
The Kentucky Wildcats are producing NBA-caliber guards on what seems like a yearly basis. One of the prospects who was meant to be a one-and-done player is Isaiah Briscoe, but he’s instead finding himself on the second round bubble following his sophomore season.
If the New York Knicks decide that a penetrating point guard who can defend at a high level is the answer, then Briscoe could be an option at both No. 44 and No. 58.
Briscoe is 6’3″ with tree trunks for legs, a strong upper body, and a massive 6’9″ wingspan. He borders on being a horrendous shooter, but he can create penetration at virtual will, finish as well as anyone in the country, and has proven to be one of the better passers in this draft class.
Briscoe will need time to improve his skill set, but head coach Jeff Hornacek knows as much as anyone about fixing a broken jump shot.
On the defensive end of the floor, Briscoe’s size, length, and strength would make him a valuable commodity. He’s proven capable of locking down players on the collegiate level, albeit with some measure of inconsistency, and could do the same in the NBA.
The caveat here, of course, is that Briscoe is an atrocious 3-point and free throw shooter—and until that changes, his value will be limited in the modern NBA.