Prospect Analysis: Josh Adams, the Dark Horse
As the draft inches closer and closer, the NuggLove prospect analysis is moving onto our “Dark Horse”, Josh Adams.
Josh Adams, who is one of the most volatile scorers in Wyoming history, averaged 24.2 points per game and 3.2 3’s. Josh Adams, who stands at 6-2, weights only 190. With 749 points in his 2015-2016 senior season at Wyoming, Adams had the most points in the Mountain West Conference and inevitably received the MWC Player of the Year Award.
Upside: Scoring, leadership, and LETHAL shooting
Downside: Size and decision making
I would say unproven, but honestly Josh is not even suppose to be drafted according to most NBA draft big boards. Josh Adams, who is getting his pre-draft workout with the Nuggets today along with Malachi Richardson, Kay Feder, and Brice Johnson, needs to perform well as he will be compared to some of the NBA quality first round targets.
Josh put 27 points on 9-of-14 shooting against Wyoming best competition, San Diego State.
Here is a little clip of one of Josh Adams several MONSTER dunks while at Wyoming. Josh reached double figured in every game he played in during the 2015-2016 season.
Player Comparisons:
Upside: Damian Lillard.
Damian, who played at Weber State, dominated the competition in his collegiate years as well. If you compare both of their senior years at their respect colleges, the stats are almost inseparable that is how close they seem. Lillard, who found his niche in the NBA with his shooting and explosiveness, was much more high-profile coming out of college than Adams. If given a chance, it will be interesting to see if Josh Adams can turn into a player like this.
Downside: Marcus Thornton. (not who you are thinking)
Ever heard of him? Most likely not. Marcus Thornton was drafted in the late second round from William & Mary college where he scored 20.0 point per game his senior year. He was drafted 45th overall by the Boston Celtics in the 2015 NBA draft.
He now plays for the Maine Red Claws, the Celtics D-League affiliates. He was one of the top mid-major player and the Colonial Athlete Association’s Player of the Year. He has basically the same credentials as Josh Adams, just hopefully Josh can make more of a splash than Marcus did.
must read: Pre-Draft 2016-2017 Power Rankings
Josh led the MWC in three-point field goals, three-point field goal attempts, turnovers, points, my favorite player efficiency rating, and many other categories during his 2015-2016 season, but will he be able to take over an organization and leave his stamp on a team? I sure do hope so.