Atlanta Hawks: 6 prospects to keep an eye on during the Final Four
Trevor Keels could be a sneaky developmental prospect
We head back to Duke for our fourth prospect, a 6-foot-4, 220-pound combo guard, freshman Trevor Keels. Keels hails out of Maryland and averaged 11.3 points per game in 35 games with 26 starts. He was not the most efficient getting there shooting 41.2 percent from the floor, 31.3 percent from outside, and just 68.1 percent at the free-throw line.
He has been compared favorably to Luguentz Dort of the Oklahoma City Thunder and Talen Horton-Tucker of the Los Angeles Lakers for his body type as well as his physicality and motor on defense.
While his jumper could stand to be more consistent, he is adept at operating as a pick-and-roll ball-handler but thrives as a slasher.
Keels isn’t an elite athlete – which the Hawks could use next to Trae Young.
He is disruptive, though, averaging 1.2 steals per game and hands out 2.8 assists per game to just 1.3 turnovers. Keels took the ball away six times against Army and had multiple steals in 11 games this season. Ironically, he did not record a steal in his best outing, a 25-point, 11 assists showing on the road at Clemson.
Keels also had a nine-assist performance against NC State, showcasing his playmaking ability.
Postseason struggles aside – he is averaging just 7.3 points on 36.5 percent shooting (16.7 3P) – he also plays what would be a premium role for the Hawks in the long run with Young firmly entrenched at point guard and a slew of wings with more length.
Still, they don’t have many that are known for their defense and hustle and that could make him appealing if he somehow makes it to them in the second round.