NBA Draft: Who is Justise Winslow?

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The Good

You always have to like a guy who steps up in the NCAA Tournament when things are at their most pressure packed. Winslow cemented his place among the top prospects in the NBA Draft during that three-week stretch.

However, most of Winslow’s work came in the season before, where he cut his teeth on the defensive end and found a way to contribute to his team even without the ball. For many college stars, this is the most difficult thing for them to learn.

In the end, it is his two-way play and versatility which makes him valuable and seems to have him poised for such a strong career.

Apr 6, 2015; Indianapolis, IN, USA; Duke Blue Devils forward Justise Winslow (12) celebrates after scoring against the Wisconsin Badgers during the second half in the 2015 NCAA Men /

Finding a young player with that kind of desire to be a great defender and who can work without the ball while still having the ability to score at such a high level is a rare thing indeed. That is why so many are high on him. And for good reason. Winslow really seems like the whole package.

In the open floor, there may not be a better player. At full speed, he finds space to get himself to the basket so he can finish. With the ball in his hands, Winslow found himself to be pretty effective.

It is his ability to drive and cut his way through traffic that really stood out. It honestly looks like James Harden at times with how he creates space at full speed. He has the Euro step and step through moves a great finisher needs to succeed.

When Winslow gets going with a full head of steam, he is very difficult to stop and very capable of scoring.

But it is his defense that makes him stand out more than anything else. He was the rock of Krzyzewski’s defense at Duke last year, often taking the best perimeter player on the opposing team.

Justin Anderson shot just 4 for 11 in Virginia’s lone game against Duke. He helped hold Jerian Grant to seven points on 3-for-10 shooting after Grant scored 23 and dished out 12 assists in the team’s first meeting with Notre Dame. Terry Rozier shot 5 for 16 in Louisville’s game against Duke.

A lot of those guys are point guards, so not exactly Winslow’s forte. Tyus Jones certainly had a hand in defending them. But Winslow has the versatility to guard many of those guys and he does a good job on his assigned man.

This is a guy that gets the team concept, particularly on the defensive end, and that is a rare thing to find. It makes him instantly valuable along with the offensive skill he possesses.

Next: The Bad