Our scouting report on NBA draft prospect Josh Green:
- Position: SG
- Height: 6-6
- Weight: 200
- School: Arizona
Josh Green is a dynamic two-way player built for defense but one who can shoot from three-point range. He has exceptional athleticism and speed. Green, originally from Australia, spent just one college season with Arizona, but he left his mark as he led the Wildcats in steals last season with 1.5 per game. He is still growing into his 6-foot-6 frame and has good strength and a quick first step. He would be a player who would be able to contribute right away at the NBA level.
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Strengths
In a college basketball world where defense isn't always rewarded, Green is an exception. He prides himself on defense. Last season with the Wildcats, he was best known for creating turnovers, coming away with 1.5 steals per game and even more deflections. Green can lock down a few different positions, but his size has him best suited for defending ones and twos — though he can easily stretch to defend a three because of his nearly 6-11 wingspan.
He didn't shoot a lot of threes but made the ones he did shoot at a 36 percent clip. That is an area that he will only improve upon at the next level. He was tasked with backing up the point at Arizona on occasion and held his own running the offense. His speed and first step are very quick and can be deceiving when sizing him up, which he uses to his advantage — especially when slashing to the basket.
Weaknesses
NBA
Green wasn't tasked with handling the ball much at Arizona and it showed. His handle is a little loose and while his assist-to-turnover ratio is decent — roughly 2-to-1 — it is an area that he will need to work on at the NBA level. Another perceived knock on Green is that he may be too pass-happy when it comes to his offense, giving up shots in favor of finding a teammate. That could be a maturity level thing or one that was simply a product of the offense and coaching he was under at Arizona.
Fit
For the Sixers, Green is a very good fit. He plays the type of defense they want to establish as their calling card and the type you already see in last year's first-round pick, Matisse Thybulle. Green will need to gain even more confidence in his outside shooting. However, given his age and the already-shown ability when he does shoot, that should not be a problem.
He may not pencil in as a starter out of the gate, but that is why he would fit well with the Sixers. They can develop parts of his game that need it and fine tune the areas where he already excels like defense and quickness.
The Sixers are looking for a player who fits into their system, and Green, with his 3-and-D style and ability, fits the bill.