Pre-Draft Analysis
March 9, 2022: (Stock Watch) -- While ACC Player of the Year Alondes Williams has stolen the headlines this season with his powerful downhill drives and flashy one-handed passes, there's another Demon Deacons prospect gaining steam as Wake Forest's best NBA prospect.
LaRavia is an Indiana State transfer who could make a first-round push with a strong showing at the ACC tournament, and ultimately the NCAA tournament. With Wake Forest currently projected by ESPN ​​Bracketologist Joe Lunardi as a 10-seed, the Demon Deacons could use a big game or two to solidify their at-large bid to the big dance, giving LaRavia the platform to continue rising in NBA circles with signature performances against the ACC's elite. LaRavia has already proven his worth throughout the regular season, topping 40 minutes in seven games, putting 19 and 10 on Paolo Banchero and Duke and 31-10-4 on North Carolina while turning in the type of stat-stuffing, efficient season that will have analytics departments buzzing. LaRavia ranks fifth in our Top-100 in true shooting percentage, only sitting behind 7-footers such as Mark Williams, Chet Holmgren, Jamarion Sharp and Zach Edey.
LaRavia is an easy fit at the highest level because of his versatility as a 6-8 modern 4. While Wake Forest isn't exactly known for its defensive intensity, LaRavia can shift between 1 through 4 for stretches, sliding with guards and wings alike while using his solid frame to battle on the interior. He can stand to get a little tougher on the defensive glass, isn't blessed with great length, and doesn't quite project as a true defensive stopper, especially against NBA-caliber perimeter players. But he plays hard, has great instincts, and knows where to be off the ball, making him a value-add on the defensive end of the floor, even in the NBA.
Offensively, you can move him all over the floor as he's capable of initiating offense in transition, functioning as a pick-and-roll ball-handler at times, playing out of the post to score or facilitate (one of his best skills), or picking and popping to space for spot 3s (40%), closeout attacks or quick reads (4.3 assists per 40 minutes). LaRavia ranks 2nd in the ACC in offensive win shares in large part due to that skill level and versatility.
Although a little bit hesitant from 3 at times (39.7%), watching LaRavia shoot the ball pregame before the NC State game recently, I have little doubt that he can make NBA 3s at a respectable clip, especially when you consider he's 20 years old. Younger than freshmen such as Kentucky's TyTy Washington, LaRavia is a late-bloomer, as he was only 6-4 when former Indiana State head coach Greg Lansing first started watching him at Lawrence Central High School in Indiana, where he was recruiting teammate Nijel Pack. LaRavia initially signed with SIU Edwardsville in the Ohio Valley, eventually de-committing after a coaching change and landed with Lansing at Indiana State, where he spent two seasons before transferring up to Wake Forest. LaRavia has a lot of the ingredients you generally see in draft risers given his intangibles, late-blooming status, skill level, feel and productivity.
Whether it's an undrafted 6-10 forward such as Dean Wade or a top-10 pick in Deni Avdija, there are players in LaRavia's mold having success in the NBA, and another big performance surely gives LaRavia more of a runway to convince scouts and evaluators that he's worthy of true first-round consideration like his productivity and versatility suggests. -- Mike Schmitz
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25 сен 2024
