Detroit Pistons: 3 late bloomers who should give hope to Killian Hayes
Detroit Pistons: 3 late bloomers who should give hope to Killian Hayes
Ricky Rubio
Ricky Rubio is another point guard who entered the league with big-time playmaking ability and a questionable jumper. Like Killian, he played professionally overseas before joining the NBA as a top-10 pick.
Rubio has never really evolved into a great shooter from long range, but he is an elite passer, a very good defender and has intangibles of a high basketball IQ and leadership that have helped him overcome his lack of a shot.
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Rubio shot 36 percent from the field and just 29 percent from long range when he was 22 years old while putting up similar points (10.7) and assists (7.2) as Killian Hayes did last season at age 21.
Rubio came in with a ton of hype and while he may not have completely fulfilled that, he has evolved into a great role player who was key to the current resurgence in Cleveland as well as the one the Suns enjoyed in the first season under Monty Williams.
Rubio may offer the most realistic path for Killian Hayes, as he went from a disappointing high draft pick (5) to a valuable role player on good teams.
Does Hayes have the intangibles to become this kind of player? The jury is still out.