Moe Harkless: Highlights, Analysis and Pro Projections
Moe Harkless is a long, physically strong forward with a future as a lockdown defender. The 6'8" forward had a very good freshman season for St. John's.
He averaged 15.5 points, 8.6 rebounds, 1.6 blocks and 1.4 steals per game. He was clearly the best player on a very young Red Storm team. Harkless made himself available for the draft on March 19.
He has a great frame and ideal size for the SF position in the NBA, though he still needs to develop in a few areas. ESPN's Chad Ford has Harkless listed as the third-best SF, and I agree with that assessment, although he has good upside.
Here is a scouting report on Harkless highlighting his strengths and weaknesses.
(Height, weight and stats per statsheet.com)
Profile:
Height: 6'8"
Weight: 208 pounds
School: St. John's
Date of Birth: May 11, 1993
Best NBA Position: Small Forward
College Stats: (Key Stats Underlined) 15.5 PPG, 36.1 MPG, 45.2 FG%, 21.5 3FG%, 67.6 FT%, 1.5 APG, 8.6 RPG, 1.4 BPG, 1.6 SPG
Skill Grades:
Athleticism - A-
Size - A-
Intangibles - C+
Rebounding - A
Ball Handling - B-
Defense - A
Shooting - C+
Passing - B-
Post Game - C+
Basketball IQ - B-
Upside - A
Strengths:
Harkless has a great combination of length and athleticism. He is tough in the open floor, and he finishes well on the break. On defense, he plays the passing lanes well, and he is great at providing weak-side help with blocked shots.
Harkless is a quick leaper, couple that with his length and he is a very good rebounder for a SF. From Day 1, he can help a team defensively. He has the frame and dexterity to be a lockdown defender.
This athleticism gives Harkless nice upside.
This is Harkless in action in his lone year at St. John's:
Weaknesses:
Harkless can look disinterested at times, as though he isn't taking coaching. This is something he hopefully will grow out of. (He just turned 19 years old.)
As a wing player he could handle the ball a little better. At this point, he is simply a slasher with no real off-the-dribble moves.
Harkless needs to work to become a better shooter; the form is decent, he just needs the repetition. He has some physical attributes and a nice feel for team defense, but he needs to add some weapons offensively.
NBA Player Comparison:
Trevor Ariza
Ariza is a long-armed and athletic swingman. He has added the three-pointer to his game, but his biggest value is his ability as a defender. He averages over a steal per game as he uses his long arms and quickness to bother opponent's dribble and to get in the passing lanes.
This is also the type of player Harkless is. As a young player, Ariza had not developed the jump shot either, but it came later for him. Once he became a viable spot-up shooter, he became more valuable on offense.
The same will happen for Harkless (though he is better around the basket than Ariza). Harkless won't be a star, but he has the ability to blossom into a nice role player in the NBA.
Draft Projection:
Late First Round
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