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| Probably a layup, but I would prefer it if this was instead the world's most casual rebounding technique. |
Austin Hollins, Minnesota, Senior, 6'4 190lbs
2013/14 stats: 33.1 mpg, 12.4 ppg, 5.0 rpg, 2.4 apg, 2.0 spg, 0.5 bpg, 1.8 fpg, 1.6 TOpg, 44.5% FG, 34.6% 3PT, 77.1% FT
Playing alongside his namesake
Andre at Minnesota, Lionel's son had to shoulder more of an offensive burden as a senior than perhaps best suited him. The Golden Gophers were suitably short of offense that Hollins's 12.4 points per game actually led the team, yet being a leading scorer is not what Hollins is good at. Hollins does not create like a primary offensive creator, nor does he have the tools for being so. He has neither the explosive foot speed, nor the intricate handle, nor the jump shot to be so. What he is is a solid combo guard and role player.
Hollins is a good athlete with a long wingspan who is fairly consistent in his production and effort, but who lacks stand-out offensive skill. He can hit a few three pointers, but without the greatest natural rhythm or a high volume of looks, Hollins's jump shot is only an occasional weapon, one shot better off the catch than off the dribble. Despite his decent wingspan and athleticism, Hollins is not much of a slasher, favouring the jump shot and never proving consistently able to get to the rim when defended man to man.
However, the fact that Hollins was never a go-to player should not discredit the value he brought as a role player. With decent tools, timely scoring, good extra passing, unselfishness and enough of a shot to be a threat, Hollins had subtle but key benefits to the Golden Gopher's offense, and was also a decent and consistent defensive player, despite often having to defend wings much bigger than he. Hollins led the team to an NIT championship, the best all-around player on the team who always took on the challenge, even when he was ill-suited for it.
To make the higher levels of the European game, Hollins will have to improve some facet of his game so that it is a discernible strength, something on which he can hang his hat. That facet will likely be the shot. If he can up his percentages and also add more shooting outside of just catching and raising up, he could be a role player at a high standard of professional basketball.
