2021 NBA Draft Scouting Report: F Franz Wagner

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: F

Hometown: Berlin, Germany

School: Michigan

Class: Sophomore

DOB (Age): 8/27/01 (Age 19)

Height: 6’8″ | Weight: 205 lbs.

Wingspan: N/A | Vertical: N/A

INTERESTING FACTS

Went to Michigan because he was “bored” after 3 months of being a professional in Germany at age 17
Won the Basketball Bundesliga (top German league) award for Best Young Player in May ’19 after his season with Alba Berlin
Younger brother of Moritz Wagner, a former Michigan Wolverine who currently plays for the Orlando Magic

ATHLETICISM

Pros

Very quick laterally, helps him to stay in front of his man and switch on to any ball handler
Flexible in tight spaces helping him cut through the lane and get easy shots or make great kickouts
Wingspan is good for his size, helps him shoot over most defenders and block guards on drives
Has the potential to add weight to make him a force underneath the basket

Cons

Not a vertical threat, Michigan’s defense masked this but NBA athletes will take advantage on both ends
Does not have a lot of shake with the ball in his hands, cannot change directions easily, making him predictable
Lacks dexterity, left hand needs to improve in order to open up new dimensions to his game
Straight line speed leaves much to be desired; not who teams want running a fast break
Currently lacks the strength/force to be a problem in the post against NBA bigs

Grade: B-

NBA SKILLS

Pros

Good outside shooter with the ability to shoot over defenders and the potential to improve production
Versatile defender, gets low in his stance and can matchup against most guards and wings
Good passer for his size, can attract defenders in the lane very well and kick out to open shooters
Keeps his hands very active on defense which helps especially when switching around screens
Knows his role; can play 2-4 and figure out how to produce in many offensive schemes
Rarely makes mistakes that hurt his team; does not foul or turn the ball over a lot

Cons

Has a difficult time creating his own shot; does not have a lot of moves off the dribble
Has made progress, but still on the lighter side for his frame, which will be problematic against larger post players
Not a great cutter or driver to the basket, will need to improve on his finishing especially over larger defenders

Grade: B+

PRODUCTION

Pros

2.33 AST/TO Ratio; very good for a wing player, highlights his IQ and ability to find the open man
83.5 FT%; shoots well from the line which should lead to improvements in outside shooting
92.3 D-Rating; solid for someone who guarded top players in the country in the BIG 10
2.2 PF per game; can play defense without fouling which should keep him on the court
1.3 SPG & 1.0 BPG shows he can fill up the stat sheet defensively
9.3 FGA per game; does not need a lot of shots in order to make an impact, great for a role playing Forward

Cons

Does not get a lot of offensive rebounds; concerning for someone his size playing off the ball so frequently
Only averaged 12.5 PPG; should be higher, but had a lot of talent around him playing in a low scoring league
.304 Free Throw rate; demonstrates a pattern of not being aggressive which should not be a problem this early in career

Grade: B+

RISK

Pros

Familiar with the NBA lifestyle; brother plays in the league and his coach, Juwan Howard, played 19 seasons in the NBA
Good size for modern NBA, very switchable on defense and can play any wing position on offense, easy to fit into schemes
Consistently displays a high basketball IQ, especially seen in passing and reading the defense
Shot improved from Freshman to Sophomore year, and good FT% suggests that these improvements can continue
No questions about characters or major injury red flags, has recovered from wrist injury in 2019

Cons

Questions about scoring contributions are valid, cannot create his own shot so will likely never be a #1 option
Will need to add some weight or risks being a mismatch issue when guarding heavier front court players
Lack of vertical athleticism is concerning; will he be able to score at the rim amidst shot blockers
Will need to improve shot selection; must eliminate the long 2-pointers in the NBA
No trait jumps off the page which limits his overall ceiling

Grade: B

OVERALL

Although his stats do not jump off the page, Franz Wagner has been shooting up draft boards due to his IQ and savviness with the ball. Franz, followed in his older brother’s footsteps and played at Michigan before entering the NBA. Wagner flourished this season under Juwan Howard and was a crucial piece in Michigan’s fantastic regular season. Although their season ended in a disappointing loss to UCLA in the elite eight, Wagner’s contributions on both ends of the floor caught the eye of NBA scouts all season long.

Wagner is the definition of doing all the little things right on offense. He moves very well off the ball, does not stall the offensive set, and knows where his teammates are at all times. He can knock down open shots behind the arc, but rarely forces the issue. He understands that he is not the number one scoring option and plays his role very well.

His defensive potential is very high, and his footwork and switchability are already at a professional level. However, he will need to put on a significant amount of weight to guard NBA frontcourt players. In addition, there is a limit to what he can do on offense as his shot creation ability is low, and he does not play above the rim. Nevertheless, he is a very well-rounded prospect who should fall in the second half of the lottery.

Likely Pro Comp: Nicolas Batum (LAC)

Projected Rd/Pick: Late Lottery

Prime Destinations: NOP, SAS, SAC, GSW

OVERALL Grade: B