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Take Your Best Shot: Skal Labissiere

By Tyler Watts

Jun 23, 2016; New York, NY, USA; Skal Labissiere (Kentucky) is interviewed after being selected as the number twenty-eight overall pick to the Phoenix Suns in the first round of the 2016 NBA Draft at Barclays Center. Mandatory Credit: Brad Penner-USA TODAY Sports
Jun 23, 2016; New York, NY, USA; Skal Labissiere (Kentucky) is interviewed after being selected as the number twenty-eight overall pick to the Phoenix Suns in the first round of the 2016 NBA Draft at Barclays Center. Mandatory Credit: Brad Penner-USA TODAY Sports /
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This article takes a look at the offensive game of Skal Labissiere to find his best shot to exploit the NBA competition.  This is the next installment in our Take Your Best Shot Series.

Skal Labisssiere was selected 28th overall in the 2016 NBA Draft and eventually traded to the Sacramento Kings.  The former Kentucky Wildcat is a 6’11 power forward/center.  Let us examine his offensive skill set to determine his best shot to thwart NBA defenders.

Labissiere’s Best Shot

Below is Skal Labissiere’s shot chart from the 2015-2016 NCAA season courtesy of Vorped.

Labissiere produced very well in the paint on the NCAA court.  According to Vorped, he shot 58.6% in the paint on 87 attempts.  As you can see, Labissiere clearly likes to go left when attacking the rim and he shot 65% from the left side restricted area.  Labissiere was a force in the paint last season for the Wildcats.

Does it translate to the NBA level?

According to Draft Express, Skal Labissiere is 6’11, but only weighs 216 pounds is that big enough to attack the rim frequently in the NBA?  He is clearly a power forward or small ball center unless he can put on some weight.  Labissiere is athletic with quick feet that should allow him to be successful attacking the rim going forward.

Next: Take Your Best Shot: Georgios Papagiannis

Labissiere should also have some success in the mid-range at the NBA level.  He was not given many opportunities at Kentucky to be a mid-range player, but the video below shows Skal’s summer league performance against the Spurs where he demonstrates a smooth jumper with a high release.

Summary

Skal Labissiere fell to the Kings on draft night and could end being a steal.  He brings a solid offensive skillset along with a 6’11 frame.  He had the most success in college attacking the paint, but his mid-range jumper is solid with the potential to grow into a very effective NBA weapon.  Labissiere will struggle with his shot this season, not uncommon for rookies, but I expect him to develop a nice offensive arsenal that allows him to bury a mid-range jumper and when the defense backs off, attack the basket and create some monster dunks.  Enjoy the ride Kings fans.

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