Rodney Hood
College: Duke
Age: 21 years old
Height: 6’8″
Weight: 208 Lbs
Position: Small Forward
NBA Comparison: Rashard Lewis
Hands down one of the best shooters in the NCAA last season, former Duke small forward Rodney Hood shot 46% from the field and 42% from beyond the arc, while averaging 16 points per contest as a sophomore. If he can add weight to his slight frame and continue to improve his game, he has the potential to become a versatile scoring threat in the NBA.
Hood is expected to be a possible lottery selection in the 2014 NBA draft, and shouldn’t fall past the top 15 picks.
Strengths:
Rodney Hood is a very good athlete who can score from anywhere. Hood has a deadly jump shot from mid- and three-point range, has no problem scoring, as he averaged 16.1 points per game while shooting 46.4% from the field last season. He is an unselfish player and very capable passer, will set up teammates for an open shot. Has shown the ability to quickly add weight to his frame during his two years in college, while maintaining his tremendous athleticism. He is a great free throw shooter, hitting nearly 81% from the charity stripe as a sophomore. He can play from the wing if asked to, and he has shown the potential he has be a great perimeter defender. Hood plays very calm and under control, doesn’t ever force shots.
Weaknesses:
Despite the weight he did gain in college, Hood is still small for his 6’8″ frame, and lacks the upper-body strength to excel as a small forward in the NBA. As a result of this, he is a very sub-par rebounder. He is not very long at all, with just a 6’8.5″ wingspan. Often hesitates to drive, settling for jump shots instead of trying to create an easier shot. At almost 22 years old, Rodney Hood isn’t exactly young for an NBA prospect.
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