2021 NBA Draft Scouting Report: SF Moses Moody

PSO’s original Scouting Reports strive to be uniquely valuable in evaluating a player’s future outlook by focusing on the four main subjects that summarize a player’s likelihood of succeeding at the next level including: Natural Athleticism, developed NBA-Caliber Skills, proven Production, and overall Risk that each individual player presents to a team drafting him. For a full breakdown of PSO’s Scouting Reports, click here.

BIO

Pos: SF

Hometown: Little Rock, AR

School: Arkansas

Class: Freshman

DOB (Age): 5/31/02 (Age 19)

Height: 6’6″ | Weight: 211 lbs.

Wingspan: 7’1″ | Vertical: N/A

INTERESTING FACTS

1st Razorback to win SEC Freshman of the Year since Patrick Beverley in 2006-07
Highest ranked recruit (39 by 247sports; 45 on ESPN) to commit to the Razorbacks since Bobby Portis in 2013
Played final 2 HS seasons at Montverde Academy with lottery prospects Cade Cunningham & Scottie Barnes

ATHLETICISM

Pros

Great length; wingspan north of seven feet, ideal for a 3-and-D prospect
Strong player; very difficult to knock him off his spot on defense and can play above his height
Aggressive rebounder, good at high pointing the ball and enjoys activity in the paint
Great size for his position; is small enough to stay with guards on defense, but can switch on to a front court player
Maintains balance well, rarely out of control allowing him to make smart plays in transition

Cons

Slower than most NBA guards, rarely blows by people with his speed or first step
Not a vertical threat, mainly finishes below the rim, which could prove to be an issue when combined with lack of speed
Not explosive; most moves are calculated; needs to load longer than most before jumping
Somewhat of an old school player due to lack of athleticism, must create in other ways

Grade: B+

NBA SKILLS

Pros

Good perimeter defensive skills; not afraid to get physical with guards and navigates well around screens
Gets to the line frequently and converts at a good rate; will be able to rely on this throughout career
Defensive versatility has huge value; shows that he is switchable and as he matures will be a problem on defense
Very good off the ball; understands where he needs to be on both ends of the court
Showed flashes of passing ability although numbers were bad

Cons

Poor analytical shot selection; has the ability to shoot from range but tends to pump fake into long 2 pointers
Does not have a great handle, limiting his ability to create off the dribble
Has trouble finishing through contact; getting to the line is a strength but more and-1s would increase production
Release is on the slower side, if this becomes more fluid his ceiling will raise significantly

Grade: B+

PRODUCTION

Pros

81.2 FT%; shoots the ball well from the line and has the mechanics to improve other percentages
16.8 PPG; good number while being guarded by the other team’s best defender most of the time
.482 FT Rate; gets to the line frequently which should only increase in the NBA
9 games of 20+ points; has the potential to take over a game with scoring ability

Cons

42.7 FG%; not efficient from the field, will need to improve shot selection and finishing ability
1.6 APG; not a great passer at this stage, will need to raise this, but somewhat due to his place in Arkansas offense
0.7 BPG and 1.0 SPG; 3 and D wings should have higher defensive numbers than this
22.3 USG rate; very low for someone who takes 12.3 FGA per game, should be more involved
1:1 AST/TO ratio; needs to improve decision making

Grade: B-

RISK

Pros

Shoots the ball well from behind the arc; some questions about quickness of release, but still a strength
High basketball IQ; seems to have a very natural feel when he is off the ball, reads the entire court well
Defensive ability projects to be very strong; could be a key piece to a contender in a 3-and-D role
Played against high quality competition since high school; knows how to play his role
Good free throw shooter; bodes well for the future as he tries to improve his shot
Will be 19 years old for his entire rookie season; has a few years to get his feet wet

Cons

Lack of athleticism lowers his ceiling; will always have to use strength over speed and leaping ability
Not a great shot creator; needs to expand his isolation game and work on some go-to moves
Relies on other players and the system to succeed making the team he goes to very important
Unimpressive athleticism or offensive moves translates to a low ceiling; likely never an All-Star
Probably not a primary scorer barring major improvements; but still a key contributor
Did not shoot well during the NCAA Tournament; will need to deliver in high pressure scenarios

Grade: B

OVERALL

Moses Moody came to Arkansas this year as a highly touted freshman but relatively unknown on the national level. He joined Eric Musselman’s high-intensity program in Fayettville and made an immediate impression. Moses led the Razorbacks in scoring during 2020-21, averaging 17.9 points per game, and ended up taking home SEC Freshman of the Year. The Razorbacks were able to secure a three-seed in the NCAA tournament and had a solid run despite Moody’s spotty play in March.

Moody unsurprisingly declared for the draft, looking to capitalize on the tremendous two-way season he had at Arkansas. In the NBA, he projects as a capable defender and scorer on the wing who could be a significant piece to a lottery team’s future. However, his ceiling is unknown mainly because of his offensive game. He gets to the line frequently and knocks down open jumpers, but he lacks the athleticism and the isolation game that has taken over the shooting guard position.

Defensively, he has the size to cover either guards or opposing wings, which will be valuable in ever-switching NBA defenses. This versatility is the reason he is in the lottery discussion. Whatever team is able to snag Moody will for sure love his all-around knowledge of the game and tenacity on the defensive end.

Pro Comp: OG Anunoby (DEN)

Projected Rd/Pick: Top 3

Prime Destinations: SAS, CHA, MEM

OVERALL Grade: B