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Orlando Magic NBA Draft Preview: Prospects to watch in the NCAA Tournament

By Harrison Brown

Keyonte George and Grady Dick are two of the big players the Orlando Magic may focus on when the NBA Draft comes into focus. (Photo by Tom Pennington/Getty Images)
Keyonte George and Grady Dick are two of the big players the Orlando Magic may focus on when the NBA Draft comes into focus. (Photo by Tom Pennington/Getty Images) /
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AUSTIN, TEXAS – MARCH 04: Gradey Dick of the Kansas Jayhawks. (Photo by Chris Covatta/Getty Images)
AUSTIN, TEXAS – MARCH 04: Gradey Dick of the Kansas Jayhawks. (Photo by Chris Covatta/Getty Images) /

Orlando Magic prospects to watch in the NCAA Tournament

2. Gradey Dick, Kansas

vs. Howard, Thurs., 2 p.m. (TBS)

Gradey Dick is the shooter of the NBA lottery. He already has the ability to catch and shoot from well beyond 3-point range.

He squares his shoulder to the rim on each shot and his form is smooth. He is another prospect who will be highly touted based on his ability to stretch the floor and play off of teammates.

He stands at 6-foot-8 and makes contested shots. The release on his shot is high and quick. Dick needs very little space to get his shot off and is always shot ready when off the ball.

When watching film, he is in a shooter-ready stance with his hands up ready to catch the ball, set his feet, turn, and shoot.

Dick shoots at a great clip of 39.9 percent from 3-point range. He has basketball instincts and can see the way a defender is closing out to his shot to relocate with a side dribble to create space.

This is probably his most translatable skill to the NBA. Using minimal space to create a shot is what the NBA is becoming.

He is a player who knows his role as he shoots more than half of his shots from three. He gets hot in bunches and does not shy away from big shots and buzzer-beaters.

He relocates well on offense as Kansas coach Bill Self has implemented systems in his offense to give Dick open looks through screen actions.

Dick does not have a role at Kansas where he creates for others, so it remains to be seen if that is a part of his repertoire.

He has not had many showcases of his ball handling ability, and most of his baskets around the rim are off of cuts. He is an excellent cutter and picks moments to slip behind his defender to get open looks at the rim.

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On fast break opportunities, Dick has shown his athletic ability to raise up over defenders for dunks or finishes.

These flashes are why he has slowly crept up draft boards. The shooting is there, and if he can also finish in the lane as a cutter then he will prove to be valuable.

He has been a solid rebounder so far this year at almost five rebounds per game and is constantly competing while on the court, but his defense is a work in progress.

Dick has struggled keeping quicker guards in front of him while some larger wings have been able to outmuscle him.

Dick will have a lot of eyes watching him to see if he proves to be a shot maker when the pressure is on during the NCAA Tournament. Kansas will look to win back-to-back national titles, and if they reach the pinnacle it will be a result of Dick and company performing at a high level.