The Sixer Sense
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2016 NBA Draft: Jamal Murray Tops Shooting Guards

By Patrick Koerbler

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Jan 6, 2015; University Park, PA, USA; Michigan Wolverines guard Caris LeVert (23) dribbles the ball as Penn State Nittany Lions guard Shep Garner (33) guards during the second half at Bryce Jordan Center. Michigan defeated Penn State 73-64. Mandatory Credit: Matthew O

As we continue our look ahead to the 2016 NBA Draft, we take a look at the shooting guards. Like the point guards (which you can read here) it isn’t an incredibly strong group, but it’s led by two or three potential lottery picks in the early going.

Top Returning Players: Furkan Korkmaz (Turkey), Caris LeVert (Michigan), and Grayson Allen (Duke)

Turkish U-19 national team member, and Dario Saric’s teammate with Anadolu Efes, Furkan Korkmaz is the first international to make the list. For a kid who just turned 18 on July 24th, he’s a very well put together prospect.

He has good size for a shooting guard at 6-foot-6, although he doesn’t have great strength at this point. Fluid, natural athlete, with his greatest attribute being his shooting. Elite shooter but he’s much more than that, as a talented passer and smart player that plays within the offense.

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He struggles as a ball-handler and he’ll need to do some work defensively, but he’s reportedly a hard worker that should continue to improve. Even if he never becomes a great ball-handler, his shooting and passing makes him extremely valuable in today’s NBA game. Korkmaz is solidly in the lottery and could push himself into the top ten.

Caris LeVert started last season really hot before coming back down to earth. After fracturing his foot in the 17th game of the season, he decided to come back to Michigan for his senior season. Because he’s only turning 21 this August, that isn’t a terrible decision. He’s a well-rounded, versatile player. Checks a ton of boxes. He has the size, athleticism, shooting, and passing. LeVert probably fits better as the number two option offensively, potentially limiting his upside, but he’s still a very good player with lottery potential. Should be surrounded with more talent at Michigan this season too.

With Okafor and company off to the NBA, Grayson Allen should find himself in an increased role this season. He has a ton of tools that you look for — great athlete, very quick. He attacks the basket. Beautiful shooting stroke who should shoot much better next season. He’s a tough, scrappy defender. High basketball I.Q.

He’s undersized for a shooting guard, and isn’t a great ball handler which may prevent him from switching to point guard where his stock could really rise. Either way, he’s a kid with high upside. Definitely has first round talent, just a question of if he puts it all together.

Next: Best Of The Rest