Is Buddy Boeheim an NBA Prospect?

Buddy Boeheim is one of the top college basketball players in the country and is projected to be a first-round pick in the 2020 NBA Draft. But is he an NBA prospect?

Boeheim’s Career to Date

Buddy Boeheim is the son of legendary Syracuse coach Jim Boeheim, and he has carved out a niche for himself as a reliable three-point shooter and defender. Boeheim has played three seasons for the Syracuse Orange, and he has been a key player for the team. As a freshman, he averaged 9.4 points and 3.5 rebounds per game. These numbers increased to 11.5 points and 4.1 rebounds per game as a sophomore.

His freshman season

In his freshman season, Boeheim averaged 10.5 points, 3.4 rebounds and 1.1 assists in 28.8 minutes per game, shooting 42.9 percent from the field and 37.5 percent from three-point range. He was named to the ACC All-Freshman team and was a key contributor on a Syracuse team that won the ACC regular season title and reached the Elite Eight of the NCAA tournament.

His sophomore season

In his sophomore season, Boeheim averaged 9.4 points and 2.2 rebounds per game while shooting 46.3 percent from three-point range. He was named to the Big East All-Freshman Team and was a key contributor on a Syracuse team that won a school-record 30 games and made it to the Elite Eight of the NCAA Tournament.

Boeheim’s NBA Prospects

Buddy Boeheim has been a star for the Syracuse Orangemen ever since he stepped foot on campus. Boeheim has shown the ability to score from anywhere on the floor and has developed into a solid defender. But is Boeheim an NBA prospect? Let’s take a look.

His shooting

While Boeheim does have some impressive shooting stats, there are a few areas of his game that could use improvement. His free throw percentage (70.8) and three-point percentage (33.8) are both a bit lower than you would like to see from an NBA prospect, and he will need to show that he can be more consistent from beyond the arc at the next level. Additionally, standing at just 6-foot-6, Boeheim will likely be undersized for an NBA wing, which could make it difficult for him to defend some of the league’s bigger players.

While Boeheim’s shooting numbers are impressive, he will need to show more consistency from beyond the arc and prove that he can defend taller players in order to be successful at the next level.

His size

At 6’6”, Boeheim is a bit undersized for a shooting guard, which is the position he would likely play in the NBA. However, he makes up for his lack of size with his shooting ability. He is a great three-point shooter and was one of the best shooters in college basketball this past season. His shooting ability will be his biggest asset as he tries to make the transition to the NBA.

His athleticism

Boeheim does have some athleticism, he’s not the slow, plodding big man that many envision when they think of Syracuse players. He has a 7-1 wingspan, which will help him as a defender, and he’s shown the ability to make plays above the rim. In the Sweet 16 game against Duke last season, he had a highlight dunk in traffic after rolling to the basket off a pick-and-roll.

Boeheim’s Future

Syracuse freshman Buddy Boeheim has burst onto the scene this year and has people wondering if he has what it takes to be an NBA player. Let’s take a look at his skills and what NBA scouts are saying about him.

His potential

Some people have been wondering if Syracuse basketball player, Buddy Boeheim, has what it takes to make it in the NBA. To answer this question, let’s take a look at his potential as a player.

For starters, Boeheim is a very good shooter. In his two years playing for Syracuse, he’s shot 42.5% from three-point range. That’s a very good percentage, and it suggests that he has the potential to be a good shooter at the next level.

Boeheim is also a good rebounder for his position. He averaged 4.6 rebounds per game last season, which is very good for a guard. He’s also a good defender, averaging 1.5 steals per game last season.

The main question mark with Boeheim is his size. He’s listed at 6’4″, but it’s unclear how accurate that is. If he’s indeed 6’4″, then he might be too small to play shooting guard in the NBA. However, if he’s closer to 6’6″, then he might have the size to play small forward in the NBA.

Overall, Boeheim has the potential to be a good role player in the NBA. He has the shooting and rebounding ability to contribute right away, and he has the potential to develop into a more well-rounded player as he gains more experience.

His role on an NBA team

If Boeheim were to make it to the NBA, his role would most likely be limited to spot-up shooting. He’s not big or strong enough to take advantage of mismatches in the post, nor is he quick or shifty enough to create his own shot off the dribble. His lack of explosiveness also hampers his ability to finish above the rim, which is an issue since he’s just 6’5″.

But that’s not to say that Boeheim can’t be a valuable piece on an NBA roster. He proved this season that he can knock down shots at a high level, as he shot 42.2% from three-point range on 4.9 attempts per game. He also has a high basketball IQ and is a good passer for his position, which are both qualities that would serve him well in a supporting role on an NBA team.