Pacers Draft Prep: Terrance Ferguson another option for the Pacers

Terrance Ferguson was once a promising college basketball prospect. However, a late decision to play in Australia changed his outlook. Can he be a quality NBA player?

Before signing in Australia, Terrance Ferguson was a top recruit out of high school. He was committed to play at Alabama and Arizona before signing with the Adelaide 36ers in Australia. His draft stock has been all over the place, but his potential should intrigue the Pacers.

Ferguson is a 6-foot-7 shooting guard with length and athleticism. He posted a 38-inch max vertical jump and 6-foot-8 wingspan at the NBA combine. His game still requires a lot of work, but the physical tools are there.

Strengths

Given that Ferguson played overseas for a year, he has pro experience. He was able to play against older, stronger, and likely better opponents than most college players. He passed up an opportunity to play at a storied program in Arizona to play a more competitive brand of basketball.

The potential was there from day one. Ferguson was the number 11 recruit on the ESPN 100 out of high school for a reason. His length and athleticism open the door for him to thrive at any level. Ferguson is likely to make a living as a wing athlete in the NBA, but he has potential to also be a primary weapon.

His length is also beneficial to defensive growth. A lot of 3-and-D guys have a long frame and good size, and Ferguson certainly checks those boxes. Factor in his speed and pure athleticism and he could be a dynamic defender.

Weaknesses

While Ferguson played professionally overseas, he wasn’t necessarily a star. He only posted 4.6 points with 1.2 boards and 0.6 assists per game in 15 minutes. For a high school standout, those numbers just don’t cut it. He is going to have to prove his game is better than last year’s stats if an NBA team is going to take him early.

His overall offensive game needs polishing as well. Just like on the defensive end, the potential is there. However, four points on 38 percent shooting (31 percent from deep) is underwhelming. Add that to his subpar 60 percent success at the free throw line and it’s a huge mess. I wouldn’t be thrilled as a front office if he posted these numbers on a regular basis.

NBA comparison: Terrence Ross

Next: What should the Pacers do with their rotation players?

Given the potential and athleticism, Terrance Ferguson is not a bad option for the Pacers if he is still available. The production wasn’t there last year, but he also didn’t have NBA coaching. I would not be upset if Indiana takes a chance on him at No.18.