J.J. Avila – 2018-19 G-League Player Profile

June 20th, 2019

J.J. Avila

PF – 6’8, 250lbs – Born 11th October 1991

   Agua Caliente Clippers   

Notwithstanding the sample size, if Avila can continue to shoot the three-point shot as well as he has done this season, he adds a further dimension to his paint-based interior game, a game that already makes him a threat at this and any comparable professional level.

With a big, wide, strong frame, Avila’s origins are to be found in the paint, where he has skill to go with the size. His slow, languid drives are nevertheless effective, getting to the rim and finishing through contact, and he is also a very good passer on the move. With good feet and touch, he can be a hub offensively despite his athletic disadvantages; an offensive creator more than just a finisher, Avila has long had a decent mid-range shot to go with the unselfishness and passing vision, and if he is adding corner three-point range to that, even better.

Those same athletic disadvantages, however, do make a difference defensively. Avila’s good hands make him very effective at slapping the ball away from opposing post players or drivers to the rim, yet beyond that, he needs some covering for defensively. The good footwork offensively gives way to slow feet defensively, and while his strength allows him to carve out space on the rebounding glass, Avila does not have the speed to track the ball outside of his area, nor the leaping ability to quickly jump twice. His lack of foot speed is particularly troubling when caught in space, switching onto speedsters or battling against face-up four men, and if he is to be played at centre in a drop-back situation, he lacks the length, leap and shot blocking instincts to be much of a paint protector.

Nevertheless, as evidenced by the ratings, Avila makes an offence better. The 1.4 assists per game number does not do him justice in that regard.

– 20th June, 2019

• This above is extracted from the following page in the The Basketball Manifesto, an entirely free 3,775 page, 1.2 million word-ish basketball reference book which contains reviews, strategies, ideas, opinions, and a whole lot of scouting on men’s world basketball.

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