The 2018 NBA Manifesto
Andrew White
SF - 6’7, 210lbs - 25 years old - 1 year of experience
White’s future in the NBA, if indeed there is to be one for him, is as a shooter. It is his billing as such, combined with half a season hitting as-near-as-is 40% from three-point range in the G-League and a frame that stands about the right size for an NBA wing, that has gotten him to this point.
To have a future, though, requires further development. The above is also a description of many other players in the world, Randy Ayers for example, who never got this close. Being a 6’6 or 6’7 wing with a 40% jump shot is good for professional money and a good start for a career as an NBA role player, but the very top league can afford to be picky.
In particular, it needs players who can defend their own position, particularly if they are not consistently or capably create their own shot. Without elite athleticism to go with that frame, and never flashing much in the way of a handle, driving ability or desire to play on the ball neither this year not at Syracuse, neither of these things are readily foreseeable in White. As of right now, he is a decently sized shooter, but so are many others. And some of those others are quicker movers and shooters.
He should therefore take full advantage of the exposure to elite training facilities and/or summer camp that he will have this summer, get shots up, knock them down, and start making sure everyone talks about him as being a sneaky-good defender. A Joe Harris-type of career is possible, yet he is behind that curve currently.
Player Plan: Two-way contract expires this summer. There will be better candidates than he for another one, yet encourage him to go back to the G-League on a regular contract and keep tabs.
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SF - 6’7, 210lbs - 25 years old - 1 year of experience
White’s future in the NBA, if indeed there is to be one for him, is as a shooter. It is his billing as such, combined with half a season hitting as-near-as-is 40% from three-point range in the G-League and a frame that stands about the right size for an NBA wing, that has gotten him to this point.
To have a future, though, requires further development. The above is also a description of many other players in the world, Randy Ayers for example, who never got this close. Being a 6’6 or 6’7 wing with a 40% jump shot is good for professional money and a good start for a career as an NBA role player, but the very top league can afford to be picky.
In particular, it needs players who can defend their own position, particularly if they are not consistently or capably create their own shot. Without elite athleticism to go with that frame, and never flashing much in the way of a handle, driving ability or desire to play on the ball neither this year not at Syracuse, neither of these things are readily foreseeable in White. As of right now, he is a decently sized shooter, but so are many others. And some of those others are quicker movers and shooters.
He should therefore take full advantage of the exposure to elite training facilities and/or summer camp that he will have this summer, get shots up, knock them down, and start making sure everyone talks about him as being a sneaky-good defender. A Joe Harris-type of career is possible, yet he is behind that curve currently.
Player Plan: Two-way contract expires this summer. There will be better candidates than he for another one, yet encourage him to go back to the G-League on a regular contract and keep tabs.
