Brice Sensabaugh 2023 NBA Draft Profile
Brice Sensabaugh 2023 NBA Draft Profile:
Height/Weight/Age: 6’6″/235 lbs/19 years old
Primary Position: Shooting Guard
Freshman Season Stats: 16.3 PPG, 5.4 RPG, 1.2 APG, 48.0 FG%, 40.5 3P%, 83.0 FT%, 0.5 SPG, 0.4 BPG, 2.0 TOPG
Strengths: Shooting, Tough Shot-Making, Strength
Brice Sensabaugh is one of the best pure shooters in the 2023 NBA Draft class. Off the catch, off movement or off the dribble, Sensabaugh can knock it down with ease. Last season he shot 40.5% (60-of-148) from deep and 45.8% (55-of-120) on catch-and-shoot attempts. He’ll be a great off-ball and complementary piece immediately. He’s a great relocator off-ball and is always seeking out open space.
Brice Sensabaugh doesn’t get talked about enough as one of the best pure shooters in the draft.
— Global Scouting (@GlobalScouting_) June 6, 2023
He excels as a shooter off the catch and has some legit shot versatility. I love his footwork and shot preparation. Great shot mechanics and a quick release. Shot over 40% from three. pic.twitter.com/KP6LOPPSo3
Sensabaugh is one of the toughest buckets in the class. He’s not only a great off-ball catch-and-shooter but can hit a bevy of mid-range looks too — fadeaways, turnaround fades, pull-up jumpers, touch post shots, you name it. Sensabaugh is pure bottoms on mid-range and difficult looks. With his prowess as a difficult shot-maker, teams should be able to use virtually any action to open shots for him.
Brice Sensabaugh putting on a mid-range clinic so far against Illinois ☄️ @bricepsensa #NBADraft
— No Ceilings (@NoCeilingsNBA) January 25, 2023
: @droppingdimes20 pic.twitter.com/yOT1cgyPoi
brice sensabaugh's tough shotmaking game is quite special, so often you see him squeak shots over contests with his patience, strength and craft pic.twitter.com/Jd65s1E8i8
— ben pfeifer (@bjpf_) May 26, 2023
Finally, Sensabaugh is one strong guard. At 6-foot-6, 235 pounds, the Ohio State standout was able to bully smaller wings and guards with his physicality. He uses his frame and strength to bump defenders off his line to create enough space to get off his shot. When he gets to the rack, he finishes well through contact.
Brice Sensabaugh is such a powerful driver and finisher that can really create separation with his strength. Can finish with either hand inside the paint and does a great job of finishing through contact. The combination of strength and ball skills can overwhelm the opposing… pic.twitter.com/AlNcgay0iD
— Global Scouting (@GlobalScouting_) June 6, 2023
This is just me but I feel like guys who have good strength w/ athletic deficiencies can overcome things more so than guys who are long but lack explosiveness. Like Sensabaugh just gives a small shoulder check and he dislodges his man to create space on the drive. pic.twitter.com/fQFV1RsTKy
— The Amateur NBA Analyst (@droppingdimes20) January 22, 2023
Weaknesses: Self Creation, Athleticism, Defense
My biggest concern with Sensabaugh is his ability to create separation at the next level. Last season, Sensabaugh showed a solid enough handle to get into the mid-range and create some tough contested looks. But at the NBA level, I question whether he’ll be able to create space at all. He’s a great shooter and tough shot-maker but is incapable of being a primary or secondary ball-handler at the NBA level. I think he can develop into a better playmaker but will likely just be a spot-up shooter immediately.
Sensabaugh’s struggles to create separation and space in isolation are in part due to his lack of elite athleticism. He isn’t an insane vertical athlete, nor does he have great burst off the dribble. If Sensabaugh is going to succeed as a downhill threat, it’s going to be by using his size and strength to punish smaller defenders.
My final concern with Sensabaugh’s game is his defensive ceiling. Sensabaugh is going to have to defend long wings and quick guards, and I question his ability to hang with them. He wasn’t the most engaged defender last season and struggled off-ball and with containing quick guards on drives. He’s strong and possesses an insane 7-foot-2 wingspan, but mobility-wise he’s limited because of his lack of athleticism.
Best Fits: Houston, Charlotte, San Antonio
Sensabaugh needs to go to a team with a lead playmaker that needs shooting. Houston will likely get a lead ball-handler at the top of the draft and need spacing, as they ranked dead last in 3-point percentage last season. Charlotte ranked 29th in 3-point percentage in 2022-23 and Sensabaugh would be an elite floor spacer alongside LaMelo Ball. San Antonio is at a complete lack of shooting as well. While they lack an elite playmaker, they need all the shooting help they can get.
Player Comparison: Big Gary Trent Jr.
This is meant in no way to disrespect Sensabaugh, but I’ve seen comparisons ranging from DeMar DeRozan to T.J. Warren. I think he’s an elite difficult shot-maker but doesn’t have the isolation tools of a DeRozan or Warren. However, Trent Jr. is a great example of someone who is a limited on-ball creator who still manages to manufacture and make tough looks. Additionally, Trent Jr. is also an elite spot-up shooter too.
Draft Projection: Mid-Late First Round
The issue with drafting Sensabaugh in the lottery or immediately after the lottery is projecting how effective he’ll be in a role outside of pure shooting. You must be a multi-faceted Swiss Army knife in today’s NBA to succeed as a role player. Right now, I don’t think Sensabaugh brings much defense, playmaking or rim pressure to the table. This doesn’t mean he’s incapable of developing into a more well-rounded player, but he is pretty limited as a straight-up shooter right now.
Brice Sensabaugh is a natural scorer at all three levels. Drew extra attention from Purdue & still got to his spots. Tough bucket in the mid-range, runs the floor in transition, uses his frame well to mismatch post
— The Box and One (@TheBoxAndOne_) January 6, 2023
Made a few nice passes, too. Trending toward the lottery… pic.twitter.com/UGyd3nq4J6
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