Pros and cons of Minnesota Timberwolves taking Nebraska’s Bryce McGowens in 2022 NBA Draft

The Upstate was represented within the 2022 NBA Draft as former Wren Excessive and Legacy Early Faculty standout Bryce McGowens was chosen No. 40 general by the Minnesota Timberwolves.

ESPN NBA Insider Adrian Wojnarowski reported via Twitter that the No. 40 decide, which was used to pick McGowens, was being traded to the Charlotte Hornets for 2 future second-round picks 

McGowens, who was Large Ten Newcomer of the Yr at Nebraska, averaged 16.8 factors and 5.1 rebounds for the Cornhuskers as a freshman earlier than declaring for the NBA Draft.

The previous No. 1 participant in South Carolina began his varsity profession at Wren, the place he performed three seasons, scored 1,882 factors, earned All-State honors every season and was chosen The Greenville Information’ Upstate Participant of the Yr as a junior.

McGowens transferred to Legacy Early Faculty and continued to be dominant whereas enjoying a nationwide schedule. He averaged 21.6 factors at Legacy and was named Gatorade and MaxPreps Participant of the Yr in South Carolina.

“I knew that he had the potential of enjoying on the (NBA) degree,” Legacy coach BJ Jackson mentioned forward of the draft. “Did I feel it was going to occur as quick as one and achieved? Truthfully, I did not. However his work ethic and his dedication to show folks incorrect, finally you might see that this was going to occur.”

The professionals

McGowens turns your head together with his mixture of size, clean abilities and explosive athleticism. At 6-foot-7, he has the ball abilities of a guard and is a menace in transition. He can stand up on any defender above the rim and has an elite capacity to complete by means of contact.

Although he wasn’t probably the most environment friendly, McGowens is a real shot creator who may cause suits from all three ranges of the court docket, particularly within the paint when he assaults the rim. McGowens can rating in isolation, transition and thru site visitors, making him an offensive menace always.

McGowens doesn’t lack in his assertive mentality. He’s not shy about leaping with 7-footers or capturing tough photographs with a hand in his face. He proved to be match because the No. 1 possibility on Nebraska and will turn into a scoring possibility early as a professional.

From 2020: High basketball prospect Bryce McGowens to switch to Legacy Early Faculty for senior yr

From 2020: 5 star guard Bryce McGowens broadcasts dedication, to signal with Nebraska basketball

Path to the draft: Brothers Bryce, Trey McGowens’ lifelong dream will play out by means of Nebraska basketball

“I had a number of NBA groups query how powerful he’s,” Jackson mentioned. “And like I advised the NBA groups, when it is on the road, you are going to see Bryce McGowens present as much as play. There isn’t any query when it is … time, he’ll be able to play.”

The cons

McGowens’ greatest knock is he’s lacking a constant leap shot, and for a quantity shooter like him, an environment friendly jumper is one thing he’ll must hone to proceed his offensive output within the NBA. He has proven the flexibility to hit tough photographs; he simply wants to have the ability to do it extra typically.

He additionally must hone in his 3-point capturing. At Nebraska, McGowens shot 27.4% from past the arc. Although he wasn’t taking many open 3-pointers, he’ll must turn into a extra environment friendly shooter. If he improves there, he’ll turn into a extra worthwhile contributor on the court docket.

McGowens has the construct to be a lockdown defender and the athleticism to maintain up with fast ball-handlers, however he didn’t show a real prowess to defend in faculty. Energy is one other knock on him, however McGowens ought to enhance in each departments as he positive factors expertise.

Joshua Miller covers highschool sports activities for The Anderson Impartial-Mail. Have questions, story concepts, scores and stats involving highschool athletics? Ship them to his electronic mail at jdmiller@gannett.com and observe him on Twitter: @NameIsJoshua