ASU basketball’s Luguentz Dort has appeared in NBA Mock Drafts throughout the season. How should he be evaluated as a prospect?
It has been six years since an Arizona State player was selected in the NBA Draft.
Carrick Felix was the last Sun Devil to hear his name called, going to the Cleveland Cavaliers with the 33rd selection in 2013. That broke a four-year drought after James Harden and Jeff Ayres were selected in 2009.
This year, ASU appears destined to snap its dry spell, hosting two prospects in senior Zylan Cheatham and freshman Luguentz Dort. While Cheatham is projected as a late second round choice, Dort is a more interesting case.
The 6-foot-4, 215-pound shooting guard has appeared in the first round of numerous NBA Mock Drafts, including a list from Forbes two days ago. If Dort does decide to declare, he could become the eighth player in program history to be taken in the first round.
Earlier today, Devils in Detail completed a thread regarding Dort’s professional prospects, breaking down his strengths, weaknesses and improvements. Those analyses will be listed throughout this article, as well as information to supplement those arguments.
Here’s the breakdown.
Strengths
Defense – On the Ball, Motor
Motor:
— Trevor Booth (@TrevorMBooth) March 6, 2019
No questions here. Dort is an energetic defensive player and will play the full length of the shot clock. Here, he runs through two screens, gets to the opposite end of the floor, cuts off two dribble moves and forces an errant shot from Nowell. pic.twitter.com/2zPeVhaO0t
This is something Dort can use right away in a professional setting. Plenty of great defenders, like Rondae Hollis-Jefferson, Gary Payton II and Aaron Gordon have come through the Pac-12 lately, but Dort might be one of the best in terms of playing his man. He’s quick, versatile and isn’t fearful of the best player on the floor. In the first video, his reaction speaks to how hard he plays on this end.
Defense – Off the Ball
Off the Ball:
— Trevor Booth (@TrevorMBooth) March 6, 2019
Dort has a high basketball IQ when playing help and leaving his man, averaging 1.6 steals per game. Like this video, he does a superb job of providing pressure without losing the ability to close out and stick to his assignment. pic.twitter.com/Jl3IKW9BD8
He might get caught every now and then, but Dort is a player that can disrupt a lot of offensive sets. That makes it difficult for who he his guarding and surrounding players.
Finishing at the Rim and Physicality
STRENGTH - Physicality (Rebounding)
— Trevor Booth (@TrevorMBooth) March 6, 2019
He might be a two-guard, but Dort’s body gives him the opportunity to compete with anybody on the glass. He is ASU’s third-leading rebounder at 4.4 per game, and he isn’t afraid to go through taller defenders, like this putback against Utah. pic.twitter.com/yCqPuBhLfM
Dort puts his strength to good use. Yes, he will have some errant attempts or pick up offensive fouls, but for the most part, he does an excellent job of shielding defenders and using his body to create space.
Athleticism
And this putback slam against the Huskies: pic.twitter.com/2g5b404AVX
— Trevor Booth (@TrevorMBooth) March 6, 2019
He’s strong, he’s fast and he can jump. Plays like these sometimes make it look unfair for the opposition.
In offensive sets, too, it helps Dort that he can cut and change directions so quickly. Especially when he doesn’t have the ball: pic.twitter.com/aK9hj3Lafx
— Trevor Booth (@TrevorMBooth) March 6, 2019
Weaknesses
Decision Making
After ASU clears on defense, he settles for a 3-pointer with plenty of time on the shot clock, without setting his feet. You can see Bobby Hurley getting Kimani Lawrence off the bench in the corner. pic.twitter.com/K0Kv86fsgo
— Trevor Booth (@TrevorMBooth) March 6, 2019
This is a product of youth and adjustment. With how big Dort is, it’s no wonder why his primary inclination is to attack the rim or look to score, no matter the cost. Unfortunately, that cost is sometimes the better play or shot.
Dort is also susceptible to being turnover prone. As of March 3, he has 90 giveaways in comparison to 69 assists. It’s plays like these, where he gets caught between defenses, that often contribute to it. pic.twitter.com/YmG0JCgkoq
— Trevor Booth (@TrevorMBooth) March 6, 2019
A 0.76 assist-to-turnover ratio is something that must improve for Dort to avoid inconsistent stretches.
Offensive Polish
Ball Handling
— Trevor Booth (@TrevorMBooth) March 6, 2019
He can finish with both hands, but Dort is more susceptible to mistakes when he goes with his left. Can be a little out-of-control in this regard, too. pic.twitter.com/6cbxKkFVH5
If Dort cleans these areas up, there’s no telling how lethal of a weapon he could become offensively.
Improvements
3-Point Shooting
And the addition of the stepback, on the right wing against Utah: pic.twitter.com/t5I1w7zIQb
— Trevor Booth (@TrevorMBooth) March 6, 2019
And the left: pic.twitter.com/5TRSBeb5sj
— Trevor Booth (@TrevorMBooth) March 6, 2019
Fox Sports 1 announcer Casey Jacobsen was stunned when these shots went in. Dort has made 27 field goals in his last six games – 13 have been from 3-point range.
Decision Making and Conclusion
CONCLUSION: Luguentz Dort is a physical, athletic two-guard that has attributes to separate him professionally. If he can polish, or merely clean up, some of his mistakes, it’s not inconceivable that he’d be a first round pick, and possibly a player that shoots up draft boards. pic.twitter.com/e16d4tAjEo
— Trevor Booth (@TrevorMBooth) March 6, 2019
Final Takeaway
Dort is an interesting prospect to analyze. At his peak, he could be selected in the late stages of the lottery. But due to his flaws, he could fall as low as the middle of the second round.
There is no word on if Dort will return to school or go pro. Regardless, he has shown flashes of a captivating professional prospect, starting on the defensive end and finishing with his consistent work ethic.
Through 29 games, the freshman is averaging 16.2 points, 4.4 rebounds and 2.4 assists. He shoots 40.4 percent from the field, 30.6 from 3-point range and 68.6 from the free throw line.
His totals lead the Sun Devils in scoring and steals (1.6). It’s undetermined, but he is also a likely candidate for Pac-12 Freshman of the Year.
Dort will get another chance to improve his stock this Saturday, when the Sun Devils face Arizona and aim for their first win at McKale Center since 2010.