Road to the draft: Duke’s Dereck Lively II showcases defensive skills to prepare for NBA career

Dereck Lively II stands proud in the 2023 NBA Draft magnificence, each actually and figuratively as a 7-foot-1 defensive risk. In a contemporary NBA that prioritizes versatility and perimeter prowess, true facilities were devalued. But Lively is so proficient as a shot-blocker that he’s anticipated to be picked in the first spherical of Thursday’s NBA Draft anyway.

Lively earned ACC All-Freshman, All-Defense and All-Tournament honors whilst blocking off 2.4 pictures consistent with recreation in his lone season at Duke, and he additionally shot 65.8% from the ground for excellent measure. While there is not a lot variety to Lively’s offensive recreation at this level in his career, he can dominate a recreation on the different facet of the ground.

In a February Duke win over rival North Carolina, Lively blocked a whopping 8 pictures and grabbed 14 rebounds whilst dominating the paint and keeping his personal in opposition to UNC superstar middle Armando Bacot. It was once the form of efficiency that confirmed why he was once the No. 2 ranked prospect in the Class of 2022 via 247Sports. Though it took time for Lively to regulate to the faculty recreation whilst taking part in for a tender workforce with a first-year trainer, Lively advanced into one among the maximum essential gamers for a workforce that gained the ACC Tournament.

No different freshman in the nation blocked extra pictures than Lively, who completed 9th amongst all gamers in blocks consistent with recreation in spite of logging simply 20.6 mins consistent with recreation. Now, he’s poised to be one among the most effective true facilities to pay attention his identify known as in the first spherical of the draft.

“Being able to know that my game translates well to the next level, this is not the time to mess around and take your foot off the gas,” Lively says in Road To The Draft Presented via Jeep. “There are a lot of other people trying to steal your spot. This is where the best of the best come. This is where you find out who you really can be.”

Dereck Lively II scouting file

Lively was once the No. 2 total prospect in the Class of 2022, consistent with 247Sports. He had one thing of a quiet one-and-done season at Duke, which was once impacted via damage. The 19-year-old is a high-ceiling prospect due to his bounciness, rim coverage, galloping body and long-term taking pictures possible. He’s thought to be one among the absolute best bargains and possible increase alternatives out of doors of the most sensible 10. — Matt Norlander

Pro Comparison

A mix of Brook Lopez and Jaxson Hayes

Height

7-foot-1 

Weight

230 kilos

Facts and Stats

• Averaged 5.2 ppg, 5.4 rpg and a pair of.4 bpg with 72.1 two-point proportion
• Named to All-ACC Freshman Team and All-Defensive Team

Strengths

• Rim-running giant who’s well-conditioned and eats up house briefly
• Good help-defense instincts and a defender who has the capability to guard 2-5 if he places all his gear in combination
• Look out up most sensible! Lively is an alley-oop risk at virtually all occasions

Weaknesses

• For as excellent as the taking pictures stroke is, the effects nonetheless have a ways to pass. Not a confirmed knock-down shooter, however his possible to be one is why he is projected so excessive
• Vision and decision-making in passing scenarios is pedestrian at this level for how he’s going to be utilized in the NBA
• Needs extra self-discipline as a defender; will get into foul hassle too steadily