Romeo Langford, a 2019 NBA Draft lottery hopeful, spent his one year in college repping for his home state school. The Indiana native played really well for the Hoosiers this season. While IU did not perform very well as a team, Langford did enough to hold on to the first round projections he had at the beginning of the season. Scouts are hoping that the high school version of Langford emerges more on the next level and they are also excited about his measurements heading into the draft.
Romeo Langford called game in double OT ?
(? @TysonBrand) pic.twitter.com/ePlo2VJ3nq
— ESPN (@espn) February 27, 2019
2019 NBA Draft Combine Measurables and Speed
Romeo Langford was consistently the best player on his team. He led the team in scoring while being productive dishing the ball for a couple assists a game and pulling down 5.5 rebounds a game. Langford’s ability to blow by defenders with his quick first step, absorb contact, and still make shots in the paint has scouts excited about his offense.
It isn’t just his speed that allows him to hit shots in the lane and get shots over taller defenders. He stands at 6’6″ with a 6’11” wingspan! That ranked 2nd among all guards at the 2019 NBA Draft Combine. Langford has never been shy to push the ball up the court in transition either and is able to outrun most defenders down the court. I wouldn’t expect him to be an immediate impact player, but a team that is willing to work and develop him is going to be very happy with the results down the road.
Romeo Langford turning defense into offense! ? @IndianaMBB pic.twitter.com/zoSvEpJTRP
— NCAA March Madness (@marchmadness) February 10, 2019
Rebounding and Defense
Already stated earlier, Langford averaged 5.5 rebounds a game last season, but when we break that down further it only gets more impressive. Not only is the guard grabbing defensive boards and taking off in transition, 1.4 of those 5.5 rebounds a game came on the offensive side of the ball. His ability to get extra possessions for his team is going to be valuable in the NBA.
On defense, Romeo Langford brings the same tenacity as he does when rebounding. He averaged almost one steal and one block a game. It isn’t just about the stat line on defense, Langford doesn’t allow many easy baskets and pesters his opponents starting at the halfcourt line. The potential that he has for defense due to his length and effort will make him a valuable pick in the middle of the first round.
Weaknesses
The #1 concern with Romeo Langford is the fact that he is considered a shooting guard, but only shot 27.2% of his shots from beyond the arc. As a young player, Langford has issues with making the right decisions at times. Pull up, pass, drive? Sometimes he just doesn’t make the right decision. He averaged just over two turnovers a game.
Romeo Langford also needs to get more fit. There were two noticeable omissions from his measurements at the NBA Draft Combine. He did not get his weight taken down or his body fat percentage. Is that because he isn’t in as good of shape as he should be? Maybe. He is already at a height and weight bigger than almost every other shooting guard in the league, which will help out a lot when he gets into NBA shape. Another concern comes from his versatility handling the ball. If he is unable to use his left hand more than he does now, NBA defense is going to wear him out.
2019 NBA Draft comparison: Wizards guard Bradley Beal
Going into the 2019 NBA Draft this may seem a little too far fetched since Bradley Beal’s shot making ability from deep is pretty good, and Romeo Langford’s is…not. However, before you scoff at the comparison, their measurements line up and they both play the two guard. Outside of those very simple comparisons, they both have a handle and sneaky way of getting open shots for themselves and an ability to drive in the paint and score when they need to. There are still some scouts who are holding out hope that Langford’s three-point shot is going to start falling with more work.
This really is more of a “we hope he turns into this player,” comparison rather than a comparison for what Langford is right now. It is important to remember that Beal’s lone season in college at Florida he was only hitting almost 34% of his shots from deep. So the comparison isn’t as crazy as it seems.
