John Jenkins: Highlights, Analysis and Pro Projections

John Jenkins is one of the best pure shooters in the draft, but that may be the extent of his NBA value. Jenkins was the leading scorer for a Vanderbilt team that went to the NCAA tournament, and was one of two teams to defeat the Kentucky Wildcats last season.

Jenkins averaged 19.9 points and shot just under 44 percent from three-point range in 2011-2012, but if he wants to improve his draft stock, he will have to prove he's more than just a shooter.

He is already a basketball legend in the state of Tennessee from his days in high school and his success at Vandy, but on the next level he must prove himself all over again.

He made himself eligible for the draft on April 9, foregoing his final season of college basketball.

Though the shooting is a definite with Jenkins, there are aspects of his game that carry legitimate questions. ESPN's Chad Ford has him listed as the eighth-best shooting guard available, but praised the way he looked in a recent workout. He wrote:

"

John Jenkins, looked terrific. He was lights out in the shooting drills, going 13-of-15 from the college 3-point line and 12-of-15 from NBA range.

That won't surprise anyone. Most scouts believe Jenkins is the best shooter in the draft (a few give Kentucky Wildcats guard Doron Lamb the edge). The question is whether Jenkins can be more than a spot-up shooter.

The work he's done over the past few months suggests that he may. He's put on noticeable muscle and has worked on his explosiveness. He looked much stronger and bouncier than he did at Vanderbilt. If he can tighten up the handle, he could have a long career in the NBA. Right now we have Jenkins as a bubble first-rounder

"

I can't disagree with that assessment, because at 6'4" he's already a bit undersized. Lacking explosiveness will only make the lack of length more of an issue.

Here is a scouting report on Jenkins, highlighting his strengths and weaknesses. 

(Height, weight and stats per statsheet.com)

Profile

Height: 6'4"

Weight: 215 pounds 

School: Vanderbilt

Date of Birth: March 6, 1991

Best NBA Position: Shooting Guard

College Stats: (Key Stats Underlined) 19.9 PPG, 33.6 MPG, 47.4 FG%, 43.9 3FG%, 83.7 FT%, 1.2 APG, 2.9 RPG, 0.3 BPG, 0.8 SPG

Skill Grades

Athleticism - B

Size - B

Intangibles - A

Rebounding - B-

Ball Handling - B+

Defense - B-

Shooting - A+

Passing - B- 

Post Game - C+

Basketball IQ - A-

Upside - B-

Strengths

Jenkins can flat-out shoot. He has in-the-gym range, meaning he's in-range as soon as he steps in the gym. He has a nice set of quick dribble moves to gain space for the jump shot. 

Jenkins has a muscular build that enables him to absorb contact well, and it could help lead to a post game. He also excels at the free-throw line where he makes well over 80 percent of his attempts.

He plays with an unlimited amount of confidence and has the courage and ability to take and make big shots. It's a rare and sometimes overlooked intangible quality.

Here is a video of the sharpshooting Jenkins in action:

Weaknesses

Jenkins is only 6'4" and that is a bit small for the shooting guard position. Because he also lacks explosiveness, he could have a problem getting his own shot in the NBA.

Jenkins is not a point guard, his mentality is that of a shooter. Even if he developed more ball-handling skills, he has been a scorer all his life. Creating for teammates will never be his specialty, even if his height is better suited for the lead guard.

Defensively Jenkins is only average, but this can improve with more attention paid to this part of his game.

Jenkins doesn't have a ton of upside because he's limited in size and athleticism, but he is a specialist, and though that may not land him high in the draft, he could be a valuable role player for a team looking for a shooter.

NBA Player Comparison

Less Athletic Ben Gordon

Ben Gordon is a big-time shooter who can carry a team for stretches in a game when he's hot. He has struggled a bit since joining the Detroit Pistons, but he's still a very good long-range bomber. Gordon stands 6'3", but he's a solid 200 pounds. He's quick, but his lack of height makes it difficult for him to get his shot against bigger guards.

In his six-year career, he has averaged 16 points per game while shooting 40 percent from three and 86 percent from the free throw line. Jenkins can certainly put up those types of shooting numbers, and they are physically-built similar.

Both possess the quick dribble moves to get space for their jump shot, and both are fearless shooters. Gordon does have a slight edge in athleticism, but the size impediments are the same.

Draft Projection:

Late-First Round

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