In their last mock draft before the NBA draft lottery next week, RealGM has the Dallas Mavericks taking Washington SG Terrence Ross with the No. 17 overall pick in the first round.
While the order of the draft will be fundamentally changed by the outcome of the lottery, the first round of mocks do provide a good measuring stick for the type of players that will be available at No. 17. And if Ross is available, Mavericks fans will have plenty to be happy about.
An athletic 6'6 200 shooting guard with excellent ball-handling skills, a quick release and range out to the three-point line, Ross is one of the most gifted shot-makers to enter the league in some time at the shooting guard position.
He averaged 16 points, 6 rebounds and 2 assists on 45% shooting for Washington, numbers which were depressed by the presence of a ball-dominant PG (Tony Wroten Jr.) who will likely be a first-round pick as well this year.
An excerpt from a scouting report on Ross from the NBA Draft Toolbox earlier in the season:
- Shot-creation: A gifted scorer with an NBA-caliber step-back jumper and range out to the three-point line (shooting 35.8 percent) to go with excellent ball-handling skills and phenomenal athleticism. Averaging 15.7 points but can get 25+ on any given night.
- Defense: Like most young scorers, defensive effort can be inconsistent, but projects as an excellent defender at all three perimeter positions due to quickness and athleticism at 6'7+. Averaging 1.2 steals and 1.0 blocks a game as a sophomore.
A highlight reel from his sophomore season:
For more coverage of the Mavericks NBA Draft plans in 2012, stay tuned to the SB Nation Dallas storystream as well as Mavs Moneyball, while U Dawg Pound has more coverage of Ross.