The 2021 NBA Draft will be an important event for teams to build for their future. Here is the Miles McBride 2021 NBA Draft Profile.
Miles McBride Background
Position: Guard
Size: 6-foot-2, 195 pounds
School: West Virginia
Class: Sophomore
2020-21 stats: 15.9 points, 3.9 rebounds, 4.8 assists, 0.3 blocks, 1.9 steals, 43.1% FG, 41.4% 3PT, 81.3% FT
McBride started off as a role player at the college level, but developed into a star during his second seasons. He is now in the 2021 NBA Draft.
As a two-sport athlete out of Cincinnati, McBride chose to play basketball for West Virginia and Bob Huggins. He was a three-star basketball prospect, who averaged 9.5 points and 1.8 assists for the Mountaineers as a freshman. West Virginia went 21-10 before the rest of the season was canceled due to COVID. He improved to average 15.9 points and 4.8 assists as a sophomore. The Mountaineers went 19-10 behind McBride’s play and made the second round of the NCAA Tournament.
Following the season, McBride decided to forgo his two years of remaining eligibility and enter the 2021 NBA Draft. He is currently projected to be a late first round pick.
Strengths
McBride has the versatility to play on the ball or off of it at the offensive end of the floor. He spent plenty of time at point guard and shooting guard through his two seasons at West Virginia. McBride can handle the ball and run the offense like a point guard, but he can also score and shoot off the catch like a shooting guard. This versatility will make him a more desirable prospect for a lot of teams.
His shooting ability will help spread defenses out. He shot 41.4 percent from 3-point range. McBride has shown the ability to shoot off the catch or the dribble, which makes him even more dangerous. His ability to knock down mid-range and deep jumpers make him a solid offensive player.
He has the build of an athletic defender for the next level. McBride moves his feet well and plays tough, just like West Virginia teaches. Not only is he a good man to man defender, he creates turnovers. He averaged 1.9 steals per game as a sophomore, which is doe to his quick feet and high defensive IQ. McBride can be a good team defender at the next level as well.
Weaknesses
McBride’s versatility to play either guard spot is a strength, but it could also be a thing he has to overcome. Teams may struggle to find his true role. He will have to fine-tune his playmaking skills to be a true point guard, while he doesn’t have the greatest height to play shooting guard. McBride could be a “tweener” if not used the proper way.
His shooting was inconsistent for his career. He had a huge jump from his freshman to his sophomore season, which shows growth, but he still wasn’t the most consistent. There were games where McBride shot very poorly from the floor. With more time in the gym, McBride should be able to be more consistently relied upon as a shooter.
There are times where McBride misses open teammates and shoots instead. If he is going to be a true point guard, he needs to find these players to get the best possible shot for the offense. When he drives into the lane, he needs to keep his eyes open for easy dump off passes for layups and for teammates waiting on the 3-point line.
Projected Draft Range: Late First Round Pick
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