Corey Kispert was one of the best players in college basketball during the 2020-2021 season, leading Gonzaga to the National Championship game. Kispert is a knockdown shooter, but critics have concerns about upside due to his age. Let’s take a look at the skillset of the Gonzaga product.
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Player Bio
Name: Corey Kispert
Position: Forward
School: Gonzaga
Age: 22
Height: 6’7”
Weight: 220 lbs
Prototype:
Defense (23/30)
Kispert projects to become an average defender at the NBA level. On the ball, he is solid, but his lack of athleticism hurts him since defenders can create space easily when he drops back to prevent them from driving due to his lack of lateral quickness. Off the ball, Kispert is slightly better. He is a smart player who gives effort on defense and has positions himself well to make up for his lack of athleticism.
Finishing (8.75/10)
Kispert is a much better finisher than he is given credit for. Since his jump shot draws so much attention he has learned to put the ball on the floor and pick up baskets in the paint. He is also a good cutter and showed off his verticality when driving last season.
Perimeter Shooting (10/10)
Kispert is one of the best shooters in the 2021 NBA Draft class. He is terrific in catch-and-shooter scenarios, but can also score off the move. He is a constant threat to knock down the three and is outstanding in transition. Kispert’s shooting is the reason he is projected to be selected in the first round and many playoff-caliber teams will be interested because of it.
Ball Handling (6/10)
Kispert has a decent handle, but he projects to play off-the-ball in the NBA. He can drive to the basket by defenders when needed, but he won’t ‘wow’ fans with his ball-handling ability.
Passing (6/10)
Kispert is a smart player which makes him a better passer than most expect him to be. He generally knows when to shoot or to move the ball quickly and does not often get trapped or make many mistakes with the ball in his hands. He is not going to average a ton of assists in the NBA, but he should be able to get two or three on a nightly basis.
Rebounding (8.5/10)
Kispert is a good rebounder. He has a big frame which he uses well to box out and pick up rebounds. Kispert grabbed five rebounds per game last season.
Athleticism (4.5/10)
Athleticism is the biggest question mark for Kispert. He has a big frame and good skill set which makes up for his lack of speed and lateral quickness. Kispert has a good vertical which allows him to make electric dunks while driving to the rim, but overall, Kispert is not athletic.
Injury (10/10)
Kispert has been healthy throughout his college career. He played over 30 games every season and only faced a couple of minor injuries during his time at Gonzaga.
Bonus: Potential (+2.75/5)
Kispert has limited upside due to his lack of athleticism, however, he will be a highly coveted prospect due to his shooting. Teams who struggle to shoot the ball consistently, usually do not win playoff series. Kispert can be a scoring punch for playoff teams and provide a spark whether he starts or comes off the bench.
Player Summary
Regardless of the upside, Kispert has value due to his shooting. His high-level shooting will keep him in the NBA for many years since playoff teams value it so highly.
Final Grade (79.5/100): Late-Lottery
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