2021 NBA Draft: Detroit Pistons work out Michigan native Littleson
Detroit Pistons: Spencer Littleson is a three-and-D prospect but not much else
Detroit’s interest in Littleson rests primarily in his amazing three-point shooting shown throughout his collegiate career. In his first two seasons with the Toledo Rockets, Littleson shot a very respectable 41.7 percent and 39.3 percent, respectively, from beyond the arc. But those good numbers pale in comparison to the guard’s 47.2 percent shooting from three-point range last season.
One of the Pistons’ biggest needs is three-point shooting.
Detroit ranked 22nd in the NBA in both three-pointers made and three-point shooting percentage. Additionally, the team’s two best long-range shooters, on a percentage basis, from last season, Frank Jackson and Wayne Ellington, are both set to enter free agency this offseason.
GM Troy Weaver will need to address his roster’s need for three-point shooting in the draft as well as free agency. Littleson offers to be possibly the best value three-point shooting option in the upcoming draft.
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In addition to being one of the draft’s best shooters, Littleson is no slouch on the defensive end of the floor either, very important in the Pistons culture.
The 23-year-old was named to the MAC Conference All-Defense first team in the 2020-21 season. His 33 total steals last season also ranked him ninth in the MAC as well.
Having played in the MAC, there could be potential concerns for the level of competition that Littleson performed in. The MAC is not one of the NCAA’s strongest Division One conferences after all. But Littleson has actually played well against strong opponents.
Last season, Littleson posted 14 points while sinking four of his six three-point shots in a loss to the Michigan Wolverines.
Littleson’s defensive abilities and long-range scoring place him alongside Houston’s Quentin Grimes, as one of the better three-and-D prospects available in the second round.
Aside from three-point scoring and solid defense, Littleson does not offer much else as a guard. Which is why he should slide to the second round.
Littleson is not a scoring threat from inside the arc. In fact, the guard does not even attempt many shots from within the arc. In the 2020-21 season, Littleson averaged 2.1 shot attempts per game from within the three-point line. The guard relied heavily on his three-point shot, as he attempted 7.3 per game.
The former Rochester Adams High School graduate has not been much of a playmaker in his collegiate career. Littleson averaged just 1.2 assists per game last season. Littleson is a fine rebounder. The guard averaged 3.2 rebounds per contest in his final season with the Rockets.
Littleson puts up decent rebounding numbers, but nothing particularly eye-catching, and his limitations as a playmaker will also hinder his potential at the next level.
Overall, there is nothing wrong with being mostly an off-ball shooter on offense and a solid defender on the other end, but there are serious doubts as to whether Littleson can be anything more.
The 23-year-old could be a fine three-and-D wing in the NBA, but not much else. However, these limitations on his potential are fine, he is a second-round prospect for a reason.