Florida State guard Braian Angola showed offensive flashes in college. He’ll get his chance to continue developing with the Orlando Magic this summer.
By now it is well-known to NBA fans the Orlando Magic are in desperate need of scoring.
Evan Fournier was the team’s leading scorer. After two years of that, it is hard to see the Magic getting much of anywhere with him leading the way. Aaron Gordon is still figuring out efficiency. Nikola Vucevic provides a ton of offense, but not much playmaking. And Jonathan Isaac is still developing.
Mohamed Bamba‘s offense might still be theoretical than anything else. It is safe to say the Magic may once again be one of the worst offenses in the league next year, even with Steve Clifford providing a bit more structure to it as he did with the Charlotte Hornets.
The Magic’s Summer League roster will not provide many clues offensively either. Orlando is likely relying heavily on Jonathan Isaac to expand his offensive game to carry the team. Rodney Purvis and Jamel Artis were both strong offensive players in the G-League. Wesley Iwundu and rookie Melvin Frasier’s offensive game are easily still developing.
And, again, Mohamed Bamba’s offense is a great unknown at this point. Even if he put in a ton of work since the season ended to improve it.
With an abundance of rostered wings and bigs on this year’s Summer League roster, it will be interesting to see where the offense will come from and what Clifford’s offense might look like.
The NBA Summer League is set to kick off next week, and the Magic have one of the most intriguing roster’s going in. The team is in a position where Summer League matters. Not just for the development of its young players but for the chance to unearth some diamonds in the rough. Especially to boost the Lakeland Magic and possibly to add as a two-way player.
So who better to provide consistent scoring than one of the most under-the-radar shooters coming out of the ACC this year: Florida State Seminoles guard Braian Angola.
Tallahassee ➡ Orlando @Angola2411 joins the Magic. pic.twitter.com/Di3sXnCXqc
— Florida State Men’s Basketball (@FSUHoops) June 25, 2018
In his final year at Florida State, Angola made 64 threes off of167 attempts, good for 38.3 percent from behind the arc, as well as 84.6 percent on free throws. Though most of his success came in his senior year as his minutes bumped from 11.8 during his junior year to 27.5 in his final season, Angola was a key contributor off the bench his first year at Florida State. Continually, Angola’s scoring average rose from 4.6 to 12.5.
He contributed more as he developed and his role expanded. That is important context in analyzing his game.
As a member of the aptly named “Boom Squad” during his junior year in 2017, Angola and company supplied scoring off the bench and gave the Seminoles points in key moments. Angola has shown scoring through varying playing time and situations. A good sign he can work off the ball.
Angola was integral to Florida State’s deep March Madness run in 2018. The Seminoles made their third ever Elite 8 appearance in school history and their first since 1993. Angola led the team with 16 points in the Florida State Seminoles’ second-round upset victory over the No. 1 seed Xavier Musketeers.
Angola is a Colombia native and came to the U.S. when he was 14 to pursue education and basketball. He then went to Findlay Prep and later North Idaho College where he averaged 21.4 points, 6.5 rebounds and 4.3 assists his sophomore year, good enough for a spot on the NJCAA All-American First Team.
Angola has shown success within FIBA as well. He was an important piece in Colombia’s international play in the 2017 summer. He averaged 12.7 points and 5.7 rebounds per game in the 2017 AmeriCup on the Colombia Men’s National Team. Not the youth team, the senior team.
He has been a key contributor at nearly every level and has shown the drive and determination needed to continue to grow and develop as a player. Angola was a locker room favorite at Florida State and provided leadership his final season.
Though he is not the splashy or loud on-court personality, Angola has been consistent in his play and growth, something that will be key for him moving forward.
At 6-foot-6 and 195 pounds, Angola provides some length, a characteristic that has become so ubiquitous with general manager John Hammond and president of basketball operations Jeff Weltman.
He can score off the dribble and has an able shot anywhere on the floor. His strength and conditioning will need improvement in order to continue into the next level.
Though his defense occasionally lapsed, Angola was a usually a solid defender under FSU coach Leonard Hamilton’s defensive-minded team.
Will Angola have a shot at the roster when all is said and done? It is difficult to say.
A possible 3-and-D player, Angola has spent just one season collegiately with significant minutes. It may be difficult for Angola to grab attention for a guy who is considered a late bloomer.
A breakout senior year against a tough ACC schedule and a potential good showing this summer may be enough to warrant a longer look. Although, the Magic depth chart may be hard to climb. He could certainly play his way into the G-League or to a two-way contract.
The Magic’s Summer League roster is far from official yet. But there will surely be plenty of competition. Angola himself will have to fight for playing time with the Magic’s recent draft picks — Melvin Frazier, Wesley Iwundu and Rodney Purvis especially. To make the team he has to stand out.
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But Angola is the kind of player who does well and impresses in these Summer League settings. He will be one of the guys and one of the stories to follow as the Magic look to add depth and shooting to a team that needs some offensive punch.