Marcus Derrickson is one of the many NBA hopefuls that went undrafted on Thursday. The former Hoyas big man has landed on a team in the NBA, as the defending two-time NBA champion Golden State Warriors has signed Derrickson for the summer league.
Sources: Undrafted Georgetown forward Marcus Derrickson has agreed to join the Golden State Warriors for summer league.
— Shams Charania (@ShamsCharania) June 22, 2018
Derrickson forwent his senior season at Georgetown to enter the NBA Draft. He was coming off a strong junior campaign as he averaged 15.9 points and 8.1 rebounds while shooting an impressive 46.5 percent from three-point range. Despite his shooting range and size — 6-foot-8 tall with a 7-foot-1 wingspan, he went undrafted on Thursday night.
At the heart of Derrickson’s flaws is what position does he fit in the NBA? His speed and movement is more of a natural power forward, however, his offensive game leans towards being a wing more so a post player. He shoots the ball well on catch-and-shoot opportunities. However, his handles are of a post player. Quicker forwards make him shuffle his feet while he plays defense and can get the ball out of his hands without him getting to the basket on offense.
He can be a defensive liability on the NBA level and struggles to create his own shot, given his lack of handles. Still, he brings excellent shooting for a big. He can score at the rim when delivered the ball. If he can alter his mobility to become a better athlete, and improves with his footwork on defensive end he could be a late bloomer and better define where he belongs on the floor in the NBA.
Derrickson will get the opportunity to prove and showcase his abilities and overcome his weaknesses this summer while in a Golden State Warriors uniform. The Warriors are known for developing combo forwards. One of their best players is Draymond Green, a tweener who initially had no natural position. Under the Warriors the second-round pick blossomed into the best defensive player in the NBA, winning Defensive Player of the Year in 2017 and a very capable point forward on the offensive end on a team that also has Steph Curry. Jordan Bell is another second-round pick that is getting the chance to develop under a great coaching staff. Derrickson will hope to follow in both Bell and Green’s footsteps and land long-term in the NBA.
