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The 2024 NBA draft starts tomorrow and here at College Sports Wire we are evaluating the college basketball stars who are hoping to hear their name called, either Wednesday or Thursday.
Today we discuss Baylor combo guard Ja’Kobe Walter, yet another one-and-done backcourt talent for Scott Drew’s program. Walter was a top recruit in the 2023 class who immediately stepped into the starting role vacated by Keyonte George, who was taken in the lottery last year by the Utah Jazz.
Walter flashed elite scoring ability, averaging nearly 15 points per game for a very good Baylor squad, although his inconsistency led to pedestrian efficiency numbers – particularly around the rim where he struggled to finish.
However, Walter’s big strength is his volume shooting from the perimeter, and there’s little reason to doubt his ability to impact the NBA as a shooter – even if he didn’t show much offensive versatility outside of that.
Below is a look at Walter’s draft profile, including his measurements at the combine, strengths and weaknesses as a player, and current projected draft range and team fits in the NBA:
Chris Jones-USA TODAY Sports
From: McKinney, TX
Played: Baylor (2023-24)
2023-24 Stats: 14.5 points, 4.4 rebounds, 1.4 assists, 1.1 steals, 34.1% from three, 42.3% on twos
Amy Kontras-USA TODAY Sports
Height: 6’4.25
Weight: 197.6 pounds
Wingspan: 6’10
Standing Reach: 8’6.5
Max Vertical Leap: 38.5 inches
Chris Jones-USA TODAY Sports
- Big guard with a massive wingspan, gives him ability to play both the two and the three at the next level
- Has requisite size and frame to be more than just an outside shooter, displays natural scoring abilities and can finish above the rim
- Excellent catch-and-shoot player, can also hit shots off the dribble and in isolation. Likely to be a volume shooter at the next level and plays with good pace and understanding of his role
- Very young with room to grow, and comes from a program in Baylor that is developing guards at a high rate
Raymond Carlin III-USA TODAY Sports
- Tunnel vision on offense at times, doesn’t show much as a facilitator and can be a black hole who is prone to streaks of inefficiency
- Despite length and frame, not a particularly great defensive player. Has lapses on that end of the floor and struggles with physicality and quicker guards
- Needs to add muscle to his frame to handle NBA levels of physicality on both ends of the floor
- Offensive touch is inconsistent, needs to add to his bag to become more consistent scorer
Ben Queen-USA TODAY Sports
Draft Range: 11-25
CSW Mock: No. 20 to Cleveland Cavaliers
Team Fits: Team looking for more scoring in the backcourt. Cleveland, Sacramento, New York, Brooklyn, Miami all make sense.
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Courtesy : https://collegesportswire.usatoday.com/lists/nba-draft-jakobe-walter-profile-baylor-basketball/