Photo Source: UA News
By James Blackburn
Game Scouted: Texas-El Paso @ Arizona
Arizona Wins 72-51
Grant Jerrett (PF, 6’10”, FR)
Stats
22 min, 2-4 FG, 2-3 3pt FG, 1-2 FT, 7 rebounds, 1 assist, 1 blk, 1 steal, 1 TO, 7 TP
Strengths
Is a true PF who can also step out and hit the 3. He didn’t really have his feet set either time- but has a soft touch and can knock down college 3’s when he is left open. Great length and frame. Showed the ability to put the ball on the floor and go buy slower defenders. Excellent rebounder who boxes out and secures the ball- crashes the offensive boards and doesn’t stand and watch. Led the Wildcats in the rebounding category this game with 7.
Did a solid job of hedging out on screens and stopping UTEP’s guards from turning the corner. Blocks and influences shots. Solid overall athlete. Good overall defender- can tell he has been coached well by Sean Miller. Shows energy and a solid motor when he is on the floor.
Good on-court demeanor. Doesn’t complain, works hard and competes. Underrated passer for a big- threw a couple of over the top lob passes to fellow frontcourt teammate Kaleb Tarczewksi.
Weaknesses
Needs to improve conditioning overall and this will come as he sees more court time. Needs to work on setting better screens- when screening he is too straight up and small- needs to get lower and set harder/stronger screens. Got blown by on the perimeter when defending around the 3-point line. Defensive technique was good and he even chopped his feet and closed out- but laterally movement is slow and would be a concern for NBA teams as he would be a stretch 4 at the next level. This wouldn’t be a problem on the offensive end as he would be a good pick and pop player, but would struggle guarding PF’s who can put the ball on the floor. Somewhat raw offensively. Would like to see him be more assertive offensively with his skill set.
Overview
Reminds of another Arizona product in Channing Frye- has a similar build and both are PF’s with solid length who can step out and hit the 3. Both are more perimeter oriented big men. Would of played more this game but picked up a few fouls in the second half from hedging out on screens- was a split second late hedging out and the Miners PG made him pay for it. Overall he played the P/R well this game- needs to hustle/bust it back to his man quicker then he did this game. At the next level he will be going up against elite level PG on a nightly basis and they will be able to turn the corner and/or hit the roll man quicker. So he will have to learn to hedge quickly and then get back to his original man as quick as possible.
He has great upside and will only continue to get better as he becomes more comfortable with the college game. NBA teams should continue to monitor his game as he will most likely stay in school another year or two. Should develop into a mid first rounder or possibly lottery pick if he stays in school for a couple more years.