Collin Sexton is one of the more dynamic prospects in the 2018 NBA draft. Out of high school, Sexton finished up as the 5th ranked player overall on 247 Sports’s composite ranking and was the top point guard recruit for the 2017 class. The Georgia native landed on the college and NBA radar when he led the USA U17 team to the gold medal and continued his ascension on the Nike EYBL circuit that summer. Sexton signed with Avery Johnson’s Alabama team and averaged 19.2 points, 3.8 rebounds and 3.6 assists per game in a very tough SEC. He certainly excited college basketball and they definitely won’t forget his late-game heroics versus Texas A&M in the SEC tournament with a tournament bid on the line:
Physicality/Athleticism
Despite being only 6’2”, his athleticism is off the charts. He has a 6’6.5” wingspan with an 8’0” standing reach. He has a strong frame that allows him to absorb contact when getting to the rim. He’s nearly impossible to keep out of the lane and has demonstrated that he can finish at the rim after contact. Throughout his high school and collegiate career, Sexton has capitalized on his slashing ability which has allowed him to get to the free throw line at a high rate. He’s very agile, possess great speed and is shot maker not just at the rim but from mid-range. The combo guard uses a variety of developing moves that allows him to keep defenders honest. He’s a developing on ball defender which will help him become a solid two way player in the league.
Tenacity
One of Collin Sexton’s most valuable traits is his tenacity and court presence. He lives for the moment, as demonstrated in his buzzer beater against Texas A&M. Another example is when he showed out in his much-hyped duel against fellow NBA draft prospect and college star, Trae Young during the regular season. Sexton never backs down from a challenge and led Bama to their first NCAA tournament win against Virginia Tech since 2006. Finding players with the motor that he possesses is a quality and trait that NBA GMs put a high value on.
Weaknesses
There are going to be questions about if Collin Sexton can truly run an NBA team since he’ll likely be pegged as a point guard, but is a natural combo guard. Despite his tenacity being a major positive for him on the court, this has also lead to him to not be able to control his emotions at times. This has lead to a propensity to pick up needless fouls and force the issue a bit too much. While overall having good mechanics on his shot, he’s still considered a bit of a streaky shooter, which will have to change in an NBA that is relying heavily on the outside shot. Finally, he’ll need to add a bit more finesse to his game and won’t be playing against players that will be overwhelmed with his athleticism.
NBA Comparison: Eric Bledsoe/ Russell Westbrook
From a physical standpoint, Sexton is very comparable to Eric Bledsoe in that both share a very strong/physical build. Sexton’s tenacity and shotmaking ability are very reminiscent of Russell Westbrook. Other combo guards in recent memory such as Westbrook and Donovan Mitchell have shown that you can be very successful in the NBA and there is no reason to believe that Sexton can’t achieve high levels in his career. His lunch pail mentality and potential on becoming a good shooter and strong on-ball defender make him a very intriguing prospect for teams.
