Jerami Grant
Age: 20
Height: 6’8″
Weight: 210 pounds
Position: Small Forward
School: Syracuse
NBA Comparison: Thaddeus Young/Darius Miles
Two and done. That’s the case for Syracuse small forward Jerami Grant as he declared himself elgible for this year’s NBA Draft. Much to the chagrin of Jim Boeheim, he joins one-and-done point guard Tyler Ennis and departing senior CJ Fair as part of the 2014 field of players. But is he ready for the next level? Find out what he brings to the table along with what he needs to work on below.
Strengths
I feel like this is a cop-out in a sense and totally cliche- but Jerami Grant is athletic. His freakish athleticism is what gets him in the door and what helped the Orange storm out to a 25-0 record this past season, and also brings comparisons to Darius Miles and Thaddeus Young. Being 6’8″ with a large frame is only the tip of the iceberg with Grant’s athletic prowess. He has an insane 7’2″ wingspan and 8’11” standing reach. The wingspan was first out of all tested players at this year’s NBA Draft Combine in Chicago, and his standing reach was second. The combine was second-guessed overall, but for Jerami Grant it only helped his case. You simply cannot teach height and length.
“That wingspan is something that’s going to be difficult to find,” ESPN basketball analyst Jay Williams said during ESPNU’s coverage.
These measurements are useful in disrupting plays on defense and be used to snag any lob or pass within his realm- his incredibly larger realm. He averaged 12.4 points and 6.8 rebounds per game this year as the team’s third-best option behind Fair and Ennis. Jerami Grant’s speed is elite and he runs the floor well on fast breaks, covering the hardwood in larger strides than most. He is a superior finisher at the rim (with either hand) and can be a versatile defender with his lateral quickness and reach. His explosiveness and quickness also can help on the pick-and-roll. He runs it smoothly and effectively. Grant’s hands aren’t just useful for putback dunks- he can catch on the run and keep his momentum going towards the rim without turning the ball over or wasting motion. He rarely turns the ball over (1.2 per game) and gets to the line often (5.6 attempts per game).
Grant is young (turned 20 in March) and durable. He’ll only improve physically as he fills out his advantageous frame. His aggressive nature of play and non-stop motor are what separate him from most and enhance his athletic abilities.
Weaknesses
While being compared to any NBA player is typically an honor, being compared to Miles and Young is somewhat of a double-edged sword. Miles had a lot of potential but was never fundamentally sound and flamed out rather quickly. Young’s abilities have kept him in the league, but he is not as polished even after six years as he could be.
Jerami Grant’s lanky frame might help with his reach and ability to make jaw-dropping plays, but he’ll have to add on a likely 15-20 pounds if he wants to withstand the bulkier forwards in the NBA. He’s listed as a small forward, but might struggle to fit in as one. He isn’t big enough to be considered a four, either. His lack of an outside shot (6-20 from three-point land over two seasons) also hinder him, and bring in the Young comparison. His ability to get to the line often is almost nullified by his inability to be a deadly- or even decent- free throw shooter. He’s not scaring many defenses by going 61% in two years at Syracuse. Grant may work wonders finishing at the rim or even during backdoor cuts and pick-and-rolls, but cannot create his own shot consistently and struggles at times with his handles. He is predictable and rarely goes left. While he averaged 6.8 rebounds per game, he was not in the top one-hundred in either offensive or defensive rebounding.
Like his teammates, Grant will have to adjust from Boeheim’s famous 2-3 zone to become a better individual defender. It’s a minor drawback, as Grant’s improvement from his freshman to sophomore season shows he can be coached and molded like clay. His post game will need a lot of work as it is virtually non-existent.
The Verdict:
Grant might be a little wet behind the ears, but can only get better. Adding weight and improving on defense should come to him first, while a developed offensive game including in the post will take some more time. Even as a rookie, he’ll likely be looked at as a high energy player who can come in and make plays that will keep the team’s energy up. I would project him as a late first rounder- as late as 26 or as early as 20.
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