NBA Draft Profile: SG Marcus Georges-Hunt, Georgia Tech

The NBA Draft Profile series rolls on here on InsideTheACC, as we take a look at swingman Marcus Georges-Hunt of the Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets. Will the imposing shooting guard have his name called on draft night?
 

Measurables

  • Class: Senior
  • Age: 22
  • Height: 6’5″
  • Weight: 220 lbs.

2015-2016 Statistics

  • 32.4 minutes per game
  • 16.7 points per game
  • 3.4 rebounds per game
  • 3.3 assists per game
  • 45.4% shooting overall (34.2% from three)

Analysis

The first time I saw Marcus Georges-Hunt play in person, I was hoping that he would play to his size. He was a sophomore then, and the 6’5″, 220 lbs. shooting guard undoubtedly looked the part already, but had yet to really put it all together on either end of the floor.

Fast forward to two years later, and Marcus Georges-Hunt certainly developed into one of the best player on the Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets this past season. The Jackets, who were an improved team in Georges-Hunt’s senior season, leaned on him and graduate transfer Adam Smith to provide the bulk of the team’s offense. Georges-Hunt certainly didn’t disappoint, as in his 32.4 minutes per game, he averaged 16.7 points on 45.4% shooting. Additionally, while Georges-Hunt was not a great shooter from three when he stepped on campus in Atlanta, he improved to become a serviceable shooter from beyond the arc, knocking down 34.2% of his attempts from beyond the arc.

So with an NBA frame and the standard offensive metrics looking so solid, what is holding Georges-Hunt back from becoming one of the top prospects in the draft? First, he is already 22 years old. While age certainly is not the biggest factor when evaluating a prospect, it needs to be considered when taking on a player who still needs to develop on both ends of the floor to become the best player that he can be.

Also, he is not a great rebounder. With the size that he possesses, one would expect that Georges-Hunt would average better than the 3.4 rebounds per game that he pulled down as a senior. His career-high for rebounding in a season at Georgia Tech was 5.5 during the 2014-2015 campaign when he was a junior, but Georges-Hunt averaged a mere 4.2 rebounds in his other three seasons combined. At his size, he simply has to be better in that regard.

Additionally, although Georges-Hunt would often manufacture points at a relatively efficient clip, he would have an easier time getting to his spots if he became a better dribbler. While his ball-handling is certainly adequate, he will not be able to back his defender down into the paint like he did so often at Georgia Tech. Georges-Hunt will need to find better ways to score at the next level, and improving his dribbling will be a key piece towards making that happen.

Defensively, Georges-Hunt has shown an ability to switch effectively and defend different positions on the floor. While that is certainly is a net positive at the professional level, he will need to become a better defender overall, beginning with defending the wing position better. There were too many times throughout his career at Georgia Tech where he would be caught flat-footed and allow the offensive player that he was defending to slash into the paint. His close-outs on opposing shooters will need to get better, and he has to be more alert and show more quickness on the defensive end of the floor.

While there are certainly knocks on Georges-Hunt’s game, his size and ability to manufacture points will be worth taking a risk on as the draft goes deeper. If he’s not selected late in the second round, he should still easily find himself on an NBA roster as a high-priority undrafted free agent.

 

NBA Draft Projection: Late Second Round

 
 

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