ASU Basketball: Assessing Luguentz Dort’s late-season NBA Draft profile

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 

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 

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 

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 

He’s strong, he’s fast and he can jump. Plays like these sometimes make it look unfair for the opposition.

Weaknesses

Decision Making 

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.

A 0.76 assist-to-turnover ratio is something that must improve for Dort to avoid inconsistent stretches.

Offensive Polish 

If Dort cleans these areas up, there’s no telling how lethal of a weapon he could become offensively.

Improvements

3-Point Shooting

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 

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.