Emmanuel Mudiay is a 19 year old Point Guard prospect of the 2015 NBA draft by way of the Democratic Republic of Congo. Last year, Mudiay was playing in his senior year of high school basketball at Prime Prep Academy in Dallas, Texas. Mudiay then committed to SMU on August 24th, 2013. However, during that same summer, Mudiay opted to forgo the (expected) one-and-done template at SMU and play overseas in the Chinese Basketball Association. Mudiay would sign a one-year, $1.2 million dollar contract with the Guangdong Southern Tigers.
While playing for Guangdong -only ten games before suffering an ankle injury, then reactivated for a playoff game- Mudiay averaged 6.2 rebounds, 5.9 assist, and 18 points per game on 47.8% in 31.5 minutes per game.
Now, Mudiay is very talented. Especially in the open court. A bit green still, but Mudiay makes very good reads and moves when on the go due to his superb awareness and speed. Mudiay is a pass first guard, who expresses potential as a scorer with his slashing abilities. Mudiay has great ball-handling potential as he was already the primary ball-handler for Guangdong whenever he was on the floor. However, Mudiay likes to leave early to get on the break. Mudiay also prefers to be the primary ball-handler in transition. Mudiay has a nice variety of between the leg and hesitation dribble moves. If he puts the time in to improve his flaws, Mudiay has the potential to be a very special player in the NBA.
Mudiay has a great feel for the pick-and-roll. Mudiay is very good at reading the weak-side help and delivering a skip pass over too of the defense when on the drive. He is also talented at delivering pocket passes in time to beat the opponent’s coverage. Mudiay slithers around the screener very well and seems to be a potent threat at splitting hedges on pick-and-rolls ok the NBA. Mudiay has a great change in direction which applies to his ability to “snake” his dribble, which will benefit him when playing against teams that like to “Ice” ball-screens. Mudiay should also look to develop a Hostage Dribble to help buy time when coming off of a screen. While playing for Guangdong, most of Mudiay’s pick-and-roll action occurs on the right wing after he comes off an Iverson-cut, which is something he can do in the league too. Teams could also include him in their zipper series to get him in to more side pick-and-roll action given his great feel for it. Despite being a bit green, Mudiay has a marvelous feel for the pick-and-roll.
-Note: Uses hesitation dribbles in isolation. Helps him get step ahead of defender.
As for his scoring potential, Mudiay is a quick, crafty slasher when it comes to getting to the basket. Mudiay is still learning to fight through contact, but still prefers to finish under the basket. Mudiay is very proficient at finishing with both hands at the basket too. Mudiay’s potential at being crafty in the lane is incredible. Mudiay has demonstrate a beautiful step over/through move that may aid him in adding a Euro-step to his arsenal. As for attacking closeouts, Mudiay does that very well given his elite first step (load step to build momentum). Mudiay has a great jab-step into explode move which helps him blow by his defender. Despite all of his abilities, Mudiay has yet to show confidence in his ability to pull-up for a jumper when driving.
-Note: when tired, Mudiay becomes forgive with his passes and loose with his handle. Leads to turnovers for him.
As for an offensive flaw (give or take), Mudiay doesn’t express much confidence in himself as a shooter. Mudiay seems more comfortable driving into contact rather than settling for a mid-range jumper. This could severely hurt Mudiay in the league as his defender will likely sit lane-protected against him and force Mudiay to beat him with his jumper. As for his mechanics, Mudiay needs work. Mudiay has a slow release, and releases on the way down. Mudiay has a tendency to lean sideways and kick his right leg out. By doing this, Mudiay limits how much lift he gets from engaging his core into his form which makes the strength of his shot come strictly from his arms and release. Mudiay also has a tendency to shoot out more than up which gives him a flat trajectory. Mudiay doesn’t always hold his follow through, but that shouldn’t be taken in as a red flag. However, Mudiay’s hesitancy when it comes to shooting should draw concerns as he doesn’t seem to express any confidence in himself when it comes to hitting a jumper. Although, it helps that Mudiay is a smart cutter off the ball. Especially when his defender doubles off of him. Mudiay knows when to make a hard basket cut the exact second his defender takes his eyes off of him. This will be key for him in the league until he learns to become more confident and reliable in his jumper.
-Note: slow motion shooter. May impact him in catch-and-shoot as well as spot-up situations.
-Jumps forward on shot, but doesn’t really sway his feet. Results in missing short a good bit.
-caught in between a set and jump shot. Misses to the side a lot. Hurts his ability to play off-ball.
As for defense, Mudiay has great potential as a top tier defender. In a combination of his length and lateral quickness, (step-and-slide accordingly) Mudiay possesses both. Due to his length, Mudiay has great recovery ability when trailing his defender around off-ball screens as well as contesting shots when he closes out. Mudiay is very good at contesting shots and almost always manages to get a hand in his defender’s face. Mudiay is a disciplined defender (mostly) who knows where his man and the ball are at. Mudiay has a preference to stay close to his man when off the ball, but has shown ability to stunt-and-recover. Mudiay has a nice understanding of rotations as well ( help-the-helper, sync-and-fill etc). Mudiay has great potential to be a solid transition defender due to length and quickness, yet he tends to gamble on outlet and across court passes a lot. One problem Mudiay faces time to time is fighting over screens. This is a result of Mudiay not taking a good angle to get over the screen and running right into the screener. In the league, Mudiay will likely learn tactics such as pinning to the ball-handler’s hip and guiding him around the screen or bumping into the screener’s hip and selling the “moving” pick. It well also benefit Mudiay to learn “Ice” position when defending ball-screens. A big concern for Mudiay is when he gets tired on defense. When tired, Mudiay tends to be flat-footed which results in him being much slower laterally. However, when attentive, Mudiay stands his ground at a high-level defensively.
As for two other facets of Mudiay’s game: Rebounding and Free-Throw shooting, Mudiay fairs well in the former, but terribly in the latter. As for rebounding, Mudiay does very well. At times, he is attentive to box-out the closest man near him and uses his length to elevate over others to grab rebounds. With the possibility to add strength years on in his career, Mudiay can enhance his abilities to attack and clean the glass. As for free-throw shooting. Mudiay is struggling. As for his form, just like his jumper, Mudiay tends to shoot out more than up which results in a flat-trajectory for him. This draws major concern as for Mudiay being more of a slasher than a shooter, he can expect more trips to the line in the league. Mudiay needs to work on his free-throw stroke to maximize his efficiency as a penetrator.
Strengths:
-Attacking the basket
Great potential as a slasher, reads help, and great at finding open shooters.
-Transition play
Great awareness in the open court. Potential primary ball-handler in transition as well as solid transition defender. Gambles a good bit, but makes big plays in the open court.
-Defensive playmaking
Great recovery due to length. Potential to be solid ball-screen defender (both on and off ball). Strips ball and plays passing lanes to get out and running on to the break.
-Primary ball-handler
Great feel for the pick-and-roll. Slithers around screens well, can split double teams, and buys time efficiently. Reads weak-side help very well and finds open shooters.
Weaknesses:
-Shot selection
Very hesitant and doesn’t express much confidence in himself. Shoots on the way down. Required changes to mechanics for improvement.
-Effort
Not attentive at times. When tired, becomes more forgive which leads to more turnovers. Plays flat-footed on defense when this happens too.
-Free-Throw shooting
Needs work. Shoots out rather than up which leads to flat-trajectory. More flex in his wrist is ideal as well.
Upside:
-Solid ball-screen defender
Learn techniques to help fight over screens. Length and speed help with recovery. Will get better at taking angles.
-Primary ball-handler
Potential to be main pick-and-roll ball-handler. Capability to learn how to get teams into their sets. Solid handle.
-Playmaking
Transcendent feel for pick-and-roll. Capability to develop such tactics as Hostage dribble to buy time. Great timing. Draws defenders and hits teammates for open jumpers and layups. Nice array of passes; behind the back and wrap around.
Verdict:
-1-4 range in NBA draft
-Good size and handle for PG position
-Elite first step; ahead of schedule when driving to paint
-Potential as solid man and ball-screen defender
-Great instincts and awareness; Makes great reads and moves when on the move. Also ahead of schedule in that category.
-Young, raw, and still green.
NBA comparison:
John Wall with a bit of Jrue Holiday
NBAward 