The 2021 NBA Draft is set to kick off on July 29. LWOS continues its draft profiles with Houston’s Quentin Grimes. Grimes’ decision to put the NBA on hold and transfer to Houston yielded positive results. He helped lead the Cougars to their first Final Four since the Phi Slama Jama days.
Quentin Grimes 2021 NBA Draft Profile
College Career
Grimes captured the 2018 Gatorade Player of the Year Award during his final season at The Woodlands College Park High School. Grimes chose to sign with Kansas, and during his first game, he scored 21 points on six threes in a victory over Michigan State. He started 36 games for the Jayhawks before initially choosing to enter the 2019 NBA Draft. A last-second decision to transfer home and play for Houston led to a pair of solid seasons, and an increase in draft stock.
At Houston, Grimes was able to take on more of a role offensively. He scored 12.1 points per game in his sophomore season, before averaging 17.8 points per game and 5.7 rebounds per game during Houston’s Final Four run last year. He was named to the first-team All-AAC and third-team AP All-American squads after blossoming as more than just a sniper and expanding his game on both sides of the floor last season.
Grimes’ trademark game came against Western Kentucky. He lit up the nets going 8 of 16 from three, scoring 33 points, and snagging 8 rebounds.
Strengths
Grimes measured out with ideal wing size at the combine, standing at 6’4” without shoes with a 6’8” wingspan and 8’5” standing reach.
Grimes’ main offensive asset is his outside shot. Over his three-year stay at Kansas and Houston, he built himself into a knockdown shooter. As a junior, Grimes connected on 40.3 percent of his 3-point attempts while attempting over eight per game. He’s more of a shooter than a dynamic shot creator, in one on one situations, but has some potential to hit some jumpers off the dribble.
A sneaky, appealing aspect of Grimes’ game is his defense. He was a key piece in one of the best defenses in the nation. Grimes has quick, active feet and does a very good job cutting off the basket for opposing slashers. His length makes him tough to shoot over and he should be able to guard one to three comfortably on defense, and the NBA values that kind of versatility.
Weaknesses
Offensively, he may have to grow more as a ball-handler and shot creator. He showed glimpses during his final season, but with Houston head coach Kelvin Sampson deploying guard-heavy offenses so often, Grimes’ didn’t have to create as much. He likely won’t be looked upon to orchestrate an offense, as he fits the 3&D mold arguably better than anyone in the draft, but as a guard, he will have to grow comfortable with handling the ball and creating more off the dribble.
NBA Comparison: Josh Hart
Grimes’ ability to get hot and score in bunches mirrors Buddy Hield. However, his defensive upside likens him to Josh Hart. His ability to play without the ball will allow him to carve out a role early. In the right situation, he could play immediately and grow into one of the better two-way guards in the league. He has all of the tools to have a complete game.
