Jul 11, 2015; Las Vegas, NV, USA; Philadelphia 76ers guard Scottie Wilbekin (18) reacts after a foul is called during an NBA Summer League game against the Los Angeles Lakers at Thomas & Mack Center. The Lakers won 68-60. Mandatory Credit: Stephen R. Sylvanie-USA TODAY Sports
Scottie Wilbekin
This is one of my favorite choices. I have to admit, I was pretty much sold on someone else being the starter, but then I read D’Joumbarey A. Moreau’s take on why Scottie should get the start at Hoops Habit. I have to admit, his argument was strong enough to get me to think more about Wilbekin.
The 76ers recently officially announced that they would be signing Wilbekin to a four year deal following an impressive Summer League performance from the point guard. Wilbekin had a good few years playing college ball at Florida, but since has only had opportunities to play overseas. Now, he’s getting his shot in the big league.
What does Wilbekin offer? On a team that is largely centered around smaller basketball, he offers something a bit different. He can expand further than most of the other players on the starting lineup, and has more of a shot range. He does so with accuracy, which is also important. It seemed like, in the video featured above, he was hitting everything that was given to him from beyond the arc in that game. It was exciting to watch.
In his time overseas, he shot at nearly 45% and scored 8.2 points per game. I truly feel like if he was given a starting position in the NBA, he could exceed this and push ten or twelve points per game.
Wilbekin will obviously be with the Sixers down the road in their rebuilding phase. He will have a role in their games, but for now, we just don’t know what type of role.
Next: Tony Wroten