NBA projection
Starter/Rotation
Measurements
6’5″ 191 lbs 18 years old
Projectable Skills
- Athleticism – Quickness/Burst, can push the pace in transition, quick-twitch ability in half court.
- Creating/Playmaking – Tight handle, able to maintain speed with the ball. Creative passer, able to break down defenses. Has size to complete tougher passing angles.
- Shooting – Solid shot mechanics, shot 35.6% from deep on 6.6 attempts/game. Pull-ups/NBA range, can make defenders pay in P/R.
- Size/Frame – Listed at 6’5″ 191 lbs, muscular/lean build. Has frame to bulk up nicely without becoming bogged down.
- Shot diversity – Array of shot making ability, can finish strong around the basket, pull-up from mid-range, spot-up off ball, etc.
- Versatility – Has the size/skill-set to play alongside other PG’s.
- Motor – Hard worker on the court, reliable competitiveness. Coachable, not self-centered.
- Defensive upside – Has the physical tools/work ethic to become a solid NBA defender.
Improvement Areas
- Runners/Floaters – Not a go to shot, lacks confidence/touch. Needs to add this shot over time if he’s to be less predictable after breaking down defenses. Below average (21st percentile) according to Synergy.
- Finishing ability/polish – A bit rough/rigid around the rim, creative finisher, but may struggle to adjust to NBA length. Could improve overall.
- Shot selection – Can settle for some quick shots at times, can pull the trigger fast when feeling it. Somewhat of a streaky shooter, productive shooting nights followed by rough ones.
- Left hand – Could polish up left hand, tends to look to finish right when he can.
- Upside – Productive player, has starting upside in the NBA, but upside is more limited than other top tier talent in the draft.
Potential Questions/Concerns
How high is his ceiling?
Long term starter/foundation piece equity or patch fix until another PG comes around?
How will he adjust to finishing against NBA length/size?
Write Up
Coby White dramatically boosted his stock during his time at North Carolina due to his unique combination of size, speed, and skill-set. Standing at 6’5″, White handled the PG duties exceptionally well within the UNC offense and under Roy Williams. White is a high speed/quick twitch athlete who can push the pace in transition and break defenses down in P/R. He can change directions quickly or stop on a dime to create space, which combined with his shooting ability/upside, makes him a tough cover for defenses. White is comfortable shooting from anywhere on the court, he can get into his shot quickly off the bounce, pop off screens, or knock down shots as an off-ball set shooter. White also shows the ability to finish through contact and get creative around the rim. Overall, while White may lack the high level upside others do in the draft, he’s a no nonsense prospect who is likely to stick around the league for years to come due to his rotational versatility.