Modern basketball does not see many four-year college players spike up conversations for the NBA Draft. The top players are typically found in high school, and spend one or two years in the NCAA ranks before going pro. Desmond Bane, however, is different.
Desmond Bane 2020 NBA Draft Profile
College Career
Bane joined Texas Christian University out of Richmond, Indiana. He was not highly recruited out of high school and joined a program trying to find their feet under new head coach Jamie Dixon.
He was solid off the bench in his freshman year and became a starter in his sophomore year. Bane started every game he was available for his junior year, and it was clear he was going to be the Horned Frogs’ go-to star his senior year.
This past season he averaged 16.6 points, 6.3 rebounds, 3.9 assists, and 1.5 steals per game. He also showed his capability of playing both shooting guard and small forward. He finished First Team All-Big 12 and should see his jersey hung in the rafters of the Schollmaier Arena in a few short years.
Strengths
When looking at Bane, his first obvious strength is his frame. He stands at 6’6″ and weighs in at 215 pounds, but his physique makes him a tough match-up for any defender. That same frame makes him a tough and active defender, and opposing players think twice before taking the ball into Bane.
Besides that, Bane is a strong shooter. He shot 45 percent from the field, 44 percent from three, and 80 percent from the line. That is the difference between a one-and-done player and a seasoned senior. Bane can get his shot off quickly, which shows in his effectiveness as a spot-up shooter.
His offensive game is not just spot-up shooting, however, as he has a great step-back move that keeps defenders guessing. Furthermore, his strength allows him to be a strong finisher at the rim.
Weaknesses
The first weakness that stands out for Bane is his lack of a solid mid-range shot. With his high shooting percentages, one would think that he would take more. When he doesn’t shoot from deep, however, he drives to the rim, effectively making him somewhat of a two-level scorer. He learned and developed quickly, however, so this is something Bane can certainly add to his offensive arsenal.
He’s become a better playmaker with time, but his ball-handling isn’t at the level it should be at just yet, especially with his left hand. He’s had some impressive crossover highlights in the past before, so once again this should be an issue that can be worked on.
Desmond Bane Player Comparison/Draft Projection
A good NBA comparison for Bane is Jodie Meeks. Meeks was never a superstar but was an effective role player for several years. He had a great shot and overall was quite solid all-around. He also had a career that lasted a decade.
Bane likely won’t hear his name called until late in the second round. Most seniors fall into that range as well. If not, Bane will be seen as a high priority two-way player signing.
Main Photo:
Embed from Getty Images
