Cleanthony Early
Birthdate: April 17, 1991
School: Mount Zion Academy (Durham, N.C.) Class: 2014 (OFFICIAL) Height: 6'8" Weight: 219 NBA Position: SF/PF |
Scouting Report 1.0 — 06.06.2014 (Joseph Fafinski)
Cleanthony Early out of Wichita State is a jack-of-all-trades guy at the small forward position. Scouts worry if he transitions to the four that he will not be big enough to mesh with the strongest guys in the NBA, and I concur. Nonetheless, Early is a prospect who is out to prove something after seeing his previously undefeated Wichita State Shockers fall victim to the ultra-talented and youthful Kentucky Wildcats in the Round of 32 of the NCAA Tournament. He's is in the class of Adam Morrison--a guy who, after falling short in March Madness for a mid-major school, heads into the draft as one of the bigger mysteries. Early is slated to be a late first-rounder (in 60 Picks' latest mock, we have the Clippers selecting him).
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It is for good reason--he possesses a number of traits that will bode well at the next level. The ability to strike in the paint is a strength of Early's, as is his transition play. Neither his ever-improving jumper nor his stupendous athleticism can be ignored. His resourcefulness as an athlete primarily makes him a standout prospect. To hail Early an overlooked player in a loaded draft class has less to do with the fact that he went to Wichita State and more to do with his knack to stray from the flashy side of basketball. This will bode well in the right system in the NBA (think Spurs forward Kawhi Leonard). As far as weaknesses go, Early struggles handling the basketball and having consistency on his jumper.
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Additionally, because of that everlasting "tweener" label, his size may cause problems if he clocks some time at the power forward position. Strength and size wise, he's perfect for the three. His oft-electric offensive arsenal could prove to be valuable for a team in the pros. So what type of professional ballplayer will Early become? If he takes the time to develop his handles and spend hours on his jump shot he could be Leonard, a catalyst in the perpetually great San Antonio system. If his collegiate skills were a product of easy competition in the Missouri Valley Conference, he'll be Joey Graham. Modestly speaking, I think Derrick Williams is a good comparison to Early. They share explosiveness.
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