Nah’Shon Hyland is a fearless scorer with unlimited range. Initially projected as a 2nd round pick, Hyland’s performance at the NBA Draft combine saw his draft stock rise considerably. Hyland enters the 2021 NBA Draft almost certain to be taken in the first round.
Nah’Shon Hyland 2021 NBA Draft Profile
College Career
Hyland played two seasons at Virginia Commonwealth University before declaring for this year’s NBA Draft. In his sophomore season at VCU, Hyland was the 2021 Atlantic Player of the Year; averaging 19.5 points, 4.7 rebounds, and 1.8 assists per game.
Outside shooting is Hyland’s primary offensive strength. Last season he shot 37.1% from deep on eight attempts a game. Whereas in his freshman season, Hyland shot 43% on five attempts per game. Through his two years in college, Hyland if anything, proved that he can shoot the basketball.
Strengths
Many of Hyland’s strengths are on the offensive end. Hyland is a skilled combo guard that can shoot and score the ball. He’s not afraid to launch pull-up threes off the dribble and possesses limitless range. He grew up in an era where shooters Stephen Curry and Damian Lillard took the art form to new heights; and similarly, Hyland is a deep-ball threat as soon as crosses half-court.
Moreover, what makes Hyland especially dangerous as an offensive player, is his combination of speed and shooting. He’s able to mix in hesitation moves along with a burst of pace. This allows Hyland to throw defenders off balance and create space in the midrange.
Though he may appear undersized, Hyland makes up for it by being faster and more athletic than most shooters. His 6’9 wingspan often goes unnoticed due to his lack of height. Averaging 1.9 steals per game last season, demonstrated that Hyland also possesses some defensive upside.
Weaknesses
Hyland can sometimes be loose with the basketball. He must tighten up his ball-handling if he’s to become a reliable shot-creator in the NBA. Additionally, whilst Hyland can pull up from beyond the arc without hesitation, this can be a double-edged sword. In college, Hyland played primarily an off-ball role and relentlessly hunted his shot. Though he was able to shoot a good percentage; he was also prone to throwing up some questionable shot attempts.
Hyland’s size is also an area of concern. Listed at 6-foot-3 and 169 pounds, Hyland is the third lightest player in this year’s draft. His somewhat skinny frame means that he often tries to avoid contact when attacking the rim. This also leads to Hyland not drawing many free throws.
Being undersized also limits Hyland’s impact on the defensive end. His lack of physicality means that he’s only able to defend point guards, whilst he also gambles for steals too often on defense.
NBA Player Comparison
Hyland has been likened to Immanuel Quickley in terms of what he’ll be able to bring to an NBA offense. Quickley was able to contribute immediately for the Knicks and was a vital cog to a playoff team in only his rookie season. Many have pointed to Quickley’s success with a similar skill set as evidence that Hyland is worth a late first-round pick.
2021 NBA Draft Projection
25th – 28th Overall
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