Syracuse Newhouse Alum | @NoCeilingsNBA Editor/Writer
New York, USA
Joined November 2022
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Likely my Final Big Board update, but here's where I'm at 15 days before the NBA Draft. Here's an explanation of my overall process:
Philosophy-wise, the four pillars to my scouting framework this cycle have been:
1. Playoff Versatility: Can this player hold their own when intensity and physicality ramp up?
2. Scheme Versatility: Can the player fit into a multitude of offensive/defensive schemes not built around them? Can they adapt?
3. Standout Skill(s): Does the player have a core skill(s) that they perform at an NBA level, which can earn them real minutes?
4. Developmental runway: What is the ROI on the prospect? How much growth is left, and what's their timeline?
How do I know if a player satisfies the pillar? Truth be told, each pillar is a spectrum rather than a checkbox. Basically, I examine how deep on each pillar's spectrum a player sits. The film tells me how a player acts in game-time situations. Their poise, athletic/physical functionality, and how they react in pressured moments. Analytics serve more as a litmus test and tell me if what they do is repeatable.
Tier-wise, my ranking follows:
1. Franchise Cornerstones: Players a team can build around long-term
2. Core Building Blocks: Maybe not who you want to build your franchise around, but a piece that can be a significant, upper option moving forward.
3. High End Contributor: Can have a defined role on a contending team and hold their own when the game tightens, but pose questions regarding one or more pillars.
4. Rotation Value/High ROI w Q's: Self explanatory, but split between older players possibly ready to play now and players with high reward if invested and developed properly.
5. Specialists: Know exactly what kind of player they are and how they function best. Usually, one skill that may get them on an NBA floor. Lower ceiling
6. Developmental projects: Fringe prospects with high variance in potential
Let me know any questions, comments, or concerns you have below! Open to any conversations.
#NBADraft
Awesome article by Stephen. I was high on Dash entering last cycle. Now I’m even more pumped to revisit his tape!
🚨CONTENT DROP🚨
Over at @NoCeilingsNBA, I'm continuing my International Snapshot series. This edition: Dash Daniels!
🔹Offense
🔸Defense
🔹Initial Thoughts
All in there!
Go over to the site to Read & Sub⤵️
(LINK BELOW)
Jacob LeRea retweeted
🚨CONTENT DROP🚨
Over at @NoCeilingsNBA, I'm continuing my International Snapshot series. This edition: Dash Daniels!
🔹Offense
🔸Defense
🔹Initial Thoughts
All in there!
Go over to the site to Read & Sub⤵️
(LINK BELOW)
Jacob LeRea retweeted
Brayden Burries was integral in the success that Arizona experienced last year
And a lot of that is due to the maturity and composure he has for a player so young
Great to see that skillset transferring over quickly and that he isn’t shying away
Jacob LeRea retweeted
First look at UCLA’s Nikola Kusturica, hands down one of the best prospects in the world. Is currently just 17 y/o and is inline for 2 years of college basketball before becoming draft eligible. Will be fascinating to see the level of usage Cronin allows Kusturica at the start of the season. He is special.
@NoCeilingsNBA #NBADraft #UCLAMBB
Jacob LeRea retweeted
I’m in the building covering the NBA debuts for Keaton Wagler and Darius Acuff Jr.
Lock in for all the content
@NoCeilingsNBA
Jacob LeRea retweeted
Glad to contribute to the @NoCeilingsNBA 2027 Preseason NBA Draft Guide.
My reports on:
🔶 Quentin Coleman
🔶 Ivan Kharchenkov
🔶 Austin Goosby
🔶 Bryson Howard
🔶 Alex Condon
Jacob LeRea retweeted
I'm late, but I wanted to get my predictions out for this NBA season, which I think could be the best we've seen in over a decade.
Over 5,000 words, including thoughts and analysis on all 30 teams.
Link below ⬇️
Jacob LeRea retweeted
My write-ups on Jeremy Fears Jr., Zvonimir Ivisic, Tajh Ariza, and Rueben Chinyelu for the 2027 No Ceilings preseason draft guide!
Go check out the whole thing: noceilingsnba.com/p/2027-pre…
Jacob LeRea retweeted
That time of year! @NBAJohnson and the whole team put so much work into this and both the content and design show it. Gonna be a great cycle!
Jacob LeRea retweeted
So happy to finally have this out in the world! Huge shout-outs to @austinzeglis and @jacoblerea for the editing assistance, @CoreyTulaba and @tyler_rucker for the artwork, and the whole @NoCeilingsNBA crew for their brilliant words.
Draft Sickos…this one’s for you!
Jacob LeRea retweeted
DRAFT SEASON IS OFFICIALLY BACK 🚨
That means our 2027 Preseason NBA Draft Guide is LIVE!
🔍 Deep-dive analysis on 60 prospects
🧪 "Prospect Chemistry" player comps
⚖️ Pros and Cons for each player
Oh yeah…and it’s FREE!
Available at the link. Happy scouting! ⬇️
We are so back.
My FIRST piece of the this NBA Draft Cycle is HERE!
Check out my words on Shelton Henderson and the big year he has ahead⬇️⬇️⬇️
noceilingsnba.com/p/shelton-…
Jacob LeRea retweeted
Feels like Bruce Branch III has one of the highest floors in the class and should have plenty of room at BYU to explore what his ceiling could be.
Easy to envision a high level connector with NBA positional size, ball skills, and defensive tools. Big fan of the ancillary stuff
Jacob LeRea retweeted
Five Returning College Basketball Players Who Could Rewrite Their 2027 NBA Draft Stock 📈
@izzyknowshoops breaks down returners with the opportunity, tools and swing skills to look like dramatically different NBA prospects by the end of the 2026-27 season.
Read ⬇️
Jacob LeRea retweeted
The NBA returns TONIGHT
Our own @DraftDeeper kicks the season off by discussing which young NBA talent he’s most ineterested in watching this upcoming season
Read ⬇️
Jacob LeRea retweeted
31 Returners from 31 Different Schools in 31 Days (Day 19)
Kareem Stagg - sophomore - forward - Georgia
Eye-test:
- POWERFUL dunker, money play-finisher due to size and athleticism
- had some growing pains with expanding out to perimeter (turnovers, defining a defensive position)
- turnovers stem from shaky handle and chaotic control, again positional adjustment
- gambles defensively
- despite shooting, he can still attack closeouts pretty well
- has good tools with his defense with his lateral speed and frame, and has a gear to hit here
- likes to leverage his body to bump defenders off their spots on drives
Stats that stand out:
- 73.5% at the rim
- 7.5 AST% with a 0.76 AST/TO ratio
- 34.4% from 3 in SEC play (32 attempts)
- 14.2 defensive rebounding percentage
Big questions/developments for the season:
- How much progress does he continue to show in stretching out his perimeter game?
- Can he toggle down to the 5?
- Where does he show his signature skill defensively?
Long-term prospect but he has a stack of size, power, and athleticism that intrigue me as a 4 and potential smaller 5. Looking forward to seeing what he does with an expanded role with Georgia this year
@NoCeilingsNBA