Detroit Pistons 2020 Draft Profile: Memphis’ James Wiseman

Wiseman’s strengths

Wiseman’s first strength is his body. There are currently only 15 active NBA players over the 7-foot mark and James would be one of them.

Many of these players aren’t the most athletic of players but Wiseman has the speed and strength of a forward. I would compare his size and athleticism to that of New York’s Mitchell Robinson.

Wiseman has almost the exact same build as Mitchell Robinson and Mohammed Bamba being 7’ 1” with a 7’ 6” wingspan, leading to him averaging 3 blocks a game in college.

Although a majority of his 19.7 points a game were in the paint or at the free throw line, his points weren’t just put back dunks. Wiseman is a very efficient pick and roll player resulting in many jumpers for his guards or easy dunks or alley-oop slams for himself.

The pick and roll is a play used by Coach Casey and nearly every coach so Wiseman would be a good pick and roll pair with Blake, Reggie, Derrick or whoever he’s running it with.

Finally, Wiseman is a great rebounder. His size, jumping ability, and strength are all elite and those attributes combined make him able to grab the 10.7 rebounds he averaged a game.

In watching his highlights against Oregon, an NCAA tournament contending team, he was able to easily rise above the Ducks and fellow Tigers to get both defensive rebounds, offensive rebounds and put back baskets.

He’s a rim runner who could prove to be lethal if he’s given space in transition. His ability to play above the rim and use his size to his advantage is what scouts are excited about.

Though “traditional” center’s are slowly being phased out of today’s NBA, Wiseman is able to confidently play with his back to the basket and finish at the rim with explosion or with a soft touch.