A Royal Prospect: Terrance Ferguson

A Royal Pain continues our draft coverage by looking at Terrance Ferguson of the Adelaide 36ers.

Terrance Ferguson was heavily recruited out of high school and was initially committed to the University of Alabama and the University of Arizona before opting to sign with the 36ers of Australia’s National Basketball League (NBL). Despite seeing limited action in his lone NBL season, the 19-year old is projected to be taken in the latter half of the first round in this year’s NBA draft.

2016-2017 Statistics:

Points per game: 4.3/Effective Field Goal Percentage: 45.7/Rebounds per game: 1.1/Assists per game: 0.6/ Steals per game: 0.2/ Blocks per game: 0.3/Minutes per game: 15.1

Measurements:

Height with Shoes: 6’7″ /Weight: 184 pounds /6’8 ¾”/Wingspan: 6’8 ¾”/Standing reach: 8’7”/Max Vertical: 38”

Strengths:

Ferguson’s athleticism and competitiveness make him an intriguing 3–and-D prospect from the guard spot, especially if he finds consistency making shots. His 31.3% clip from deep isn’t great though due to his inconsistent form.

Mar 28, 2016; Chicago, IL, USA; McDonalds All-American forward Terrance Ferguson dunks during the McDonalds All-American Powerade Jamfest at the Chicago Theatre. Mandatory Credit: Brian Spurlock-USA TODAY Sports /

When Ferguson’s shot is on, however, it’s very fluid and translates to NBA range. Ferguson also produced some highlight dunks when he attacked the rim, but is best suited to be a spot-up shooter at this stage of his career.

Ferguson competes hard defensively, using his combination of length and athleticism to hold his own when isolated on the perimeter. He fights for rebounds on both sides of the floor, showing a willingness to find a body and box out. If he adds some muscle to his lean frame, Ferguson could develop into a premier stopper on defense.

Weaknesses:

As it was mentioned above, his slender frame hinders his defensive potential. Although playing against men in a professional league, Ferguson had trouble stopping thicker guards from getting to the paint. He also struggled to navigate around screens and had no chance handling bigs if switched in the post. Adding weight and fine-tuning his mechanics are a priority for his progression.

His lack of feel on offense limits him to a spot-up shooter for the early part of his career. He can’t handle the ball as you’d like, showing elementary skills as a ball handler facing pressure. Ferguson doesn’t get to the rim effectively which bottles up the athletic advantages he possesses over defenders. Cleaning up his dribble would open his game immensely.

Fit:

Mar 30, 2016; Chicago, IL, USA; McDonalds High School All-American East’s Terrance Ferguson (6) dunks the ball during the first half at the United Center. Mandatory Credit: Mike DiNovo-USA TODAY Sports /

Ferguson’s wing defense would be a welcome sign to partner Buddy Hield with, but his offensive game is too unpolished for the Kings to gamble on. Sacramento instead needs a playmaking guard to run an offense, areas that Ferguson doesn’t currently excel at.

Drafting Ferguson would take minutes away from the other young guards, Hield, Malachi Richardson, and Bogdan Bogdanovic. This logjam is not what the Kings need, especially with other roster holes elsewhere.

Terrance Ferguson is as raw a prospect you’ll find in this draft. He fits the bill as an off the ball 3-and-D guard, but that is only if he is able to fix his handle/feel for the game. He’s a work in progress, but there is always a place in the NBA for a player who can make an open three with some consistency and defend multiple positions.

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