2018 Orlando Magic NBA Draft Preview: Second-Round targets for the Orlando Magic

Jevon Carter, West Virginia

Continuing the theme of veteran point guards, no one seems as solid as Jevon Carter might be. Especially on the defensive end.

Carter made his name mostly as the frontman of the West Virginia Mountaineers’ killer press defense. Even with his lack of size, he proved to be a nuisance to anyone he went up against. It was something beyond Bob Huggins’ unique press defense.

It helped too that Carter got better it seemed every year. He increased his scoring average every year to 17.3 points per game, 6.6 assists per game and 3.0 steals per game. Carter hit on just 42.2 percent of his shots.

Jevon Carter’s build is more like Jameer Nelson. He is big and can physically muscle around smaller guards. That is what made him such a great player and a great defender. He was just willing to work harder and outmuscle everyone around him.

That could help him establish a role as a culture setter. Much in the same mode as a player like Marcus Smart. But Carter has some clear deficiencies.

As good as he was defensively throughout his career, he did not measure well at the NBA Draft Combine. His 6-foot-4 wingspan with a 6-foot-1 height leaves him a bit on the small end.

That might be fine if he could add a consistent offensive threat to his game. But Carter has never been a great shooter. He topped out at 42.2 percent last year, although he made 39.9 percent of his 3-pointers. A 49.8 percent effective field goal percentage is not exactly screaming put the ball in his hands and let him work.

The good news is Carter is a good free throw shooter at better than 80 percent. So perhaps his shot can improve.

But it is also clear Carter’s best role might be off the bench as a disruptor. He can be someone who simply comes in and gives the team a bit of a defensive jolt. And that is a role he relishes and enjoys. A rare trait in a young player.