Soaring Down South
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Why Taurean Prince Will Have Instant Impact For The Hawks

By Colby Giacubeno

Dec 6, 2015; Waco, TX, USA; Baylor Bears forward Taurean Prince (21) celebrates after scoring against the Vanderbilt Commodores during the first half at the Ferrell Center. Mandatory Credit: Jerome Miron-USA TODAY Sports
Dec 6, 2015; Waco, TX, USA; Baylor Bears forward Taurean Prince (21) celebrates after scoring against the Vanderbilt Commodores during the first half at the Ferrell Center. Mandatory Credit: Jerome Miron-USA TODAY Sports /
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Jun 23, 2016; New York, NY, USA; Taurean Prince (Baylor) greets supporters after being selected as the number twelve overall pick to the Utah Jazz 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; Taurean Prince (Baylor) greets supporters after being selected as the number twelve overall pick to the Utah Jazz in the first round of the 2016 NBA Draft at Barclays Center. Mandatory Credit: Brad Penner-USA TODAY Sports /

How Does He Fit?

It’s almost scary how much he compares to DeMarre Carroll. From day one, Prince has the ability to fit right in with the Mike Budenholzer’s system and play solid minutes.

Even when he took on more responsibilities during his senior campaign, Prince still played within his role. He knows his strengths and weaknesses on the floor, and that’s half the battle for a rookie during their first season in the NBA.

Much of his playing time will be depended upon whether the Hawks can re-sign Kent Bazemore this summer. If they do, Prince’s minutes may take a bit of a hit, but he will still see significant time for a rookie. It also gives Budenholzer to go with a big, yet athletic lineup by putting Bazemore at shooting guard and Prince at small forward. Even though they gain size, it wouldn’t mean for any slippage defensively.

There were many mock drafts that had the Hawks taking a big man with either the No. 12 or No. 21 pick. They ended up taking two wing players who can contribute throughout their rookie seasons, but Prince is much more prepared than the No. 21 pick DeAndre Bembry at this point.

Prince will go through the routine ups-and-downs of being a rookie trying to figure out the complexities of the NBA game, but when it’s all said and done, the Hawks did the right thing in taking him at No. 12.

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