Atlanta Hawks Draft Prospect: Devin Vassell Pro Player Comparison
By Jeremy Riggs
Finding a player comparison for Atlanta Hawks draft prospect, Devin Vassell.
With draft season creeping up closer, some Atlanta Hawks fans are at a loss at the countless articles and draft prospects. With COVID preventing March Madness from happening this past spring, some fans never saw some of these players because to some, that’s all the college basketball some of us watch.
So some fans take prospect-to-pro-comparisons more seriously than others. That being said, this is opinion based on a number of things: size, production, play style, and feeling. So I’m not saying this guy will turn into the other guy, but I’m going to do my best to compare one of the prospects that seems to be on the Atlanta Hawks radar.
Devin Vassell is a 6’7 wing player from Florida State. He averaged near 13 points, 5 rebounds, and almost 2 assists per game on 29 minutes per game, in his second year at the collegiate level. The numbers don’t “pop” out at you, but what sets him apart from some of these prospects is his defensive skill.
He has a very high IQ when it comes to team defense. Which is something the Hawks desperately need. He is very quick to pick up the driving ball handler, forcing a tough shot, or closing out on an open man attempting a jump shot.
His wingspan of 6’10 helps him keep defenders second-guessing pulling up if he’s in the area as well. Offensively, percentage-wise, he is a very efficient player. He shot 53 percent from the field, and 41 percent from 3. He is very good at catch-and-shoot 3s which is also something the Atlanta Hawks would really welcome.
How many times did we see a circus pass from Trae Young to an open shooter, only for the shooter to miss the wide-open shot? Vassell could help in that regard.
The comparison: Khris Middleton
Khris Middleton is a 6’7 wing player entering his 9th season in the NBA. He is currently the right-hand man to Giannis Antetokounmpo in Milwaukee.
Middleton has become one of the premier “3 and D” players in the game. Like Vassell, he is 6’7. Like Vassell, he has a 6’10 wingspan. Even the college stats are similar.
In Middleton’s final season – he stayed for a 3rd season – he averaged 13 points, 5 rebounds, and 2 assists per game. Almost identical with Vassell. Where Vassell shines to the college prospect of Khris Middelton though, is definitely 3 point percentage. Middleton shot 26 percent from 3 in his final season in college.
In the NBA, however, he has become a reliable 3 point shooter, knocking down 41 percent of his attempts this past season. Defensively, he and Vassell are also very similar. Which is where I get this comparison. They both use their size and IQ to close in on ball handlers and they both use their length and wingspan to their benefit.
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If you’re expecting the Atlanta Hawks to draft a guy who’s going to be a top-3 player in the league, I’m not sure that you’ll be satisfied if Vassell is the pick. Or if anyone in this draft is, for that matter, this isn’t the draft for that.
However, like Middleton, if you’re wanting the Atlanta Hawks to find a solid piece who can be reliable and maybe be the 2nd or 3rd best player on a contending team: Devin Vassell fits that mold. He checks all the boxes – He has the size and defensive presence to help Lloyd Pierce install his defensive philosophy, he has good catch and shoot ability, and he would gel well with what is already here.
Cam Reddish, DeAndre’ Hunter, etc are also similar to Devin Vassell and you could never have too many good wing players. It allows the Atlanta Hawks to get creative with their rotation and he would fit right in with what is already here in Atlanta.