Vernon Carey didn’t have the name power like Zion Williamson, but he was the freshman big man on campus for Duke this past year. Carey faced big expectations with the Blue Devils and delivered First-Team All-ACC and Freshman of the year honors. Now that Carey is leaping to the NBA, how does his game translate as we preview his 2020 NBA Draft profile?
The Duke center is the son of former NFL offensive lineman Vernon Carey Sr (shoutout Jackson’s NFL 2K5 series). The son took a different path as a 6-foot-10 shot-blocking center. His defensive prowess should be NBA ready. Carey allowed 0.672 points per post-up possession, ranking in the 77th percentile. He should only continue to improve after a dominant showing as a freshman.
Scoring proved no issue for Carey as one of the most efficient scorers in the ACC. Carey put up 17.8 points per game while converting 57.7% of his field goals. Carey excelled, scoring ranking first in the Conference in low post scoring. Additionally, Carey was a monster on second-chance opportunities. Carey also ranked first in the ACC in put-back scoring.
The most encouraging part of Carey’s game is his long-distance shot-making. Carey isn’t just a goofy center. The Florida born center cashed in on 38.1% of his three-point field goals. He might not be the most defined shooter yet, but the fact that he can make them at that rate already is an encouraging sign.
Carey sort of looks like his dad out there. An enormous left tackle with some movement skills. Carey looks like one of the most promising center prospects in this draft with plenty of room to grow.
