Canes Hoops: Lonnie Walker IV NBA Draft Profile

Lonnie Walker IV will look to become the Canes’ first lottery pick since Rick Barry(in 1965) this Thursday evening. Let’s look at Lonnie Walker’s strengths and weaknesses heading in to the draft:

Here is a quick rundown of Lonnie’s physical measurements from the combine:

Height: 6’ 4.5”

Weight: 196.2 lbs

Wingspan: 6’ 10.25”

Handsize: 9.5”

Vertical: 40”

Physical Comps in the NBA (According to ESPN):

Victor Oladipo (IND): 6’ 4.25”, 213 lbs, 6’ 9.25” Wingspan

Donovan Mitchell (UTAH): 6’ 3”, 211 lbs, 6’ 10” Wingspan

Physical Evaluation:

Lonnie has ideal size for an NBA shooting guard. His height allows him to switch and guard positions 1-3 on the perimeter. He has decently long arms for his height, allowing him to create deflections and contest more shots. Lonnie’s outstanding jumping ability coupled with his exceptional speed allow him to be a terror in transition. His physical comps of Victor Oladipo and Donovan Mitchell bode well for NBA teams considering Lonnie, as both players have already become successful at the next level with similar skill sets, and they show what kind of player Lonnie could grow into.

Lonnie’s Stats from 2017-18:

PPG: 11.4

RPG: 2.6

APG: 1.9

SPG: 0.9

BPG: 0.5

TPG: 1.2

FG%: 41.5

3P%: 34.6

FT%: 73.8

Strengths:

• Has a compact shooting stroke with a quick release, has shown ability to hit open and contested 3s
• Is a savvy finisher with both hands around the basket
• Good defender with lock-down potential in the NBA
• Can catch-and-shoot or hit shots off-the-dribble

Weaknesses:

• Has struggled with consistency, often goes long periods without having an effect on the game
• Doesn’t always use athleticism to its full extent
• Has not proven himself to be a great decision-maker, as evidenced by low assist numbers and sub-par field goal percentage
• Needs to improve ball-handling to create more opportunities for himself and others

What other’s are saying about Lonnie’s game:

An explosive leaper with a 6-10 wingspan and a versatile shooting stroke, Walker has as high of an upside as any guard in the draft. He rises into pull-up 3s with ease, can tear down the rim in the open court and has the tools to be a plus on-ball defender. Walker left much to be desired with his consistency at Miami, but his game is tailor-made for a more open NBA game. - Mike Schmitz, ESPN

Walker’s 3-and-D bona fides are clear, but he won’t grow into an elite two-way wing without smoothing out some of the rough edges of his offensive game and improving his awareness on defense. - Chris Johnson, Sports Illustrated

Walker looks the part of an NBA shooting guard. He’s an elite athlete with prototypical size (6-foot-4 and 196 pounds with a 6-foot-10 wingspan) for the position, and a projectable outside shot (34.6 percent from 3 on 5.1 attempts per game). Walker competed on both ends of the floor as a freshman, and he more than held his own in individual matchups against fellow NBA prospects in the ACC like Jerome Robinson (Boston College) and Devon Hall (Virginia). He doesn’t back down from anyone, and he’s not afraid to take the last-second shot. - Johnathan Tjarks, The Ringer

Pre-Draft Articles about Lonnie Walker IV

Lonnie Walker IV is Out of This World - The Ringer

Lonnie Walker and Zhaire Smith Are the Most Known Unknowns of the Draft

2018 NBA Draft: Lonnie Walker Scouting Report and Highlights - Sports Illustrated

Canes Hoops: Bruce Brown & Lonnie Walker at the NBA Combine - State of the U

Canes Hoops: Could Lonnie be Headed Home? - State of the U

Picking the Best Team Fits for Lonnie Walker - State of the U

Will Lonnie Walker IV Get Drafted By The New York Knicks? - State of the U

Be sure to follow along this week leading up to Thursday evening as we bring you coverage of the draft. Could 2 Canes go in the first round? What kind of impact will Lonnie make on his new team? Keep the conversation going in the comments.