Cassius Winston was one of the best point guards in college basketball, but can he make the NBA leap? Winston has an illustrious college career for the Spartans at Michigan State. Now that Winston has graduated and looks to take the next step, let’s review his 2020 NBA Draft profile.
Winston, 22, projects to be taken somewhere in the second round at the moment. The hope is that Winston can develop where he can be off the bench and ignite an offense. Every team is looking for that Isaiah Thomas in the second round to provide a spark off the bench.
Winston checks in at 6-foot-1, 200, and a 6-foot-5 wingspan. Winston is on the smaller side, but his plus wingspan helps. Defensively, Winston won’t win every battle, but he can be a pest in the passing lanes.
Most of his game comes from the pace and getting out on breaks. Winston is an incredibly unselfish teammate who is a more than willing passer. Winston averaged 7.5 assists per game as a junior and 5.9 as a senior. Winston is a battled-tested vet in the collegiate ranks and often makes the right basketball play.
Winston is also a crafty scoring. Winston averaged over 18 points per game over his final two years with the Spartans. He can score at any level of the defense. Winston has enough quickness to get to the basket and has a lethal outside shot.
The importance of hitting an outside shot can’t be stressed enough. Winston is a knockdown of a shooter as it gets. Winston has never shot below 38% from three-point range in any collegiate season, and that mark came in his Freshman year. Don’t leave this man open because it will find the bottom of the net.
The hope if you draft Winston is that he can develop into someone like Kyle Lowry. A battle-tested college point guard who can get bigger while keeping his quickness and scoring acumen. A gritty player like Winston is likely one not to bet against.
