Bio

Hometown: Gary, Indiana

School: Vanderbilt

Class: Freshman

Age: 19

Ht: 6’2″

Wt: 175

Wingspan: 6’5″

Vertical: NA

Facts to Know

Won 4 consecutive Tennessee Division II AA State Championships in high school
Tore his meniscus in just his fifth game taking him out for the year
Darius father, Winston, played 7 years in the NBA during the 80s and 90s

Athleticism

Pros

Speed with and without the ball
Flexible in tight spaces
Quick when changing direction

Cons

Small frame gets exposed on defense
minimal 6’5 wingspan
height/ size limitations
Plays below the rim/vertical

Grade: B

NBA Skills

Pros

Already has NBA range
Smart and creative passer
Plays defense without fouling
High quality handles
Excels in pick and roll and isolation

Cons

Below average finisher
Gambles on defense

Grade: A-

Production

Pros

Efficient in all percentages
Scoring production from in and out
Led Vanderbilt in points per game (16.2)

Cons

3 turnovers a game to 2.6 assists
Poor defensive rating (106.3)
Only played 5 full games
Only 4 steals in those 5 games

Grade: B

Risk

Pros

Son of a former NBA player
Damian Lillard type ceiling
Natural offensive play-maker
Vandy’s top recruit out of high school

Cons

Major knee surgery (meniscus)
Small sample size
Lack of size is concern

Grade: B-

Overall

Coming out of high school Garland was the undisputed #1 point guard in the country. His knee injury and the emergence of other point guards shrunk his stock a little, but he still has huge potential and NBA skills that will only grow stronger. Additionally, his NBA pedigree helps ease the risk that teams are taking by picking Garland.

Pro Comp: PG D’Angelo Russell (Brooklyn Nets)

Prime Destinations: CHI, PHX, MIN

OVERALL Grade: B+