The 2021 NBA Draft will soon be upon us and one of the more intriguing players that will be called on draft night is Arizona State’s, Josh Christopher. Christopher, who declared on March 31st, spent only a single season in Tempe, with injuries cutting his time there short. Some believe Christopher was disappointing and that his odds of being selected high are low. Others, however, believe that Christopher still has a lot to offer teams and that if selected at the right spot, can be a contributor at the NBA level. This is the Josh Christopher NBA Draft Profile.
Strengths: Shooting and Scoring
Josh Christopher was one of the top recruits in his class for a reason. In November, Christopher was Pac-12 Freshman of the Week after averaging 18.7 points per game on 58% shooting (22-of-38) in ASU’s first three games. The 6-5 guard has a knack for finding a way to score, especially in transition. He is one of the nation’s best transition scorers and is impressive when driving to the hoop. Josh also has a solid stroke, and though had a low season average 3 point percentage, he shot 44% from 3 in his final seven games. Christopher also has a great ability to create separation and get shots off. This allows him to hit some really tough shots from almost everywhere on the court. Whether in the halfcourt or in transition, Josh Christopher is dangerous with the ball in his hands.
Build & Potential
Josh Christopher stands at 6-5 with a 6-8 wingspan. While not eye-popping numbers, Christopher uses his body and build very well. While he is not an amazing athlete, he is strong and quick enough to survive in the NBA. The more intriguing part is his body control. As stated, Josh knows how to use his body and length to create separation and make plays. Christopher also showed some flashes of being a solid defender, averaging 1.5 steals per game. His length and build also lend him to be a capable defender at the NBA level. While he did not live up to expectations this past season, Josh Christopher still has a lot of potentials. He is quite raw compared to some other prospects in this draft class, but he could be a solid player if the right team lands him.
Weaknesses:
Like a lot of young players, Christopher doesn’t always make the best play. His decision-making could use an adjustment while in transition. While he can run a one-man fast break many times this causes him to miss his teammates or other opportunities for a basket. His three-point shooting is also a bit of a concern. He shot just 30.5% all season from deep and his form could use some work as well. Defenders at the next level are going to force him just inside the three-point line and make him shoot deep twos if he doesn’t improve. It can be very frustrating when a player takes those inefficient long jump shots, but this can be fixed and worked on.
If Josh Christopher wants to stay engaged at all times on the floor, he can improve his game dramatically. Doing all the little things and keeping your head up to make the next play are all invaluable tangibles at the next level. This will all improve somewhat as he matures and allow him to make smarter plays down the road.
NBA Draft Comparison:
Wesley Matthews is an apt comparison for the young Josh Christopher. Any comparison to an 11-year NBA veteran should be celebrated. Matthews made his career off being a tough player that wasn’t afraid of being the undersized guy out on the wing. He shoots the ball better than Christopher does at this stage in his career, but that is because he is smart with his playmaking. If Josh can find the maturity in his game at the next level and make smart plays, he can become this type of player. He has the size to play the two or three and can use his skills to get buckets inside the three-point line.
This isn’t a one-to-one comparison of course, and Matthews is more of an “if” comparison. If Christopher’s game is able to develop as many think it will, he could become a very valuable wing player that brings energy and offense to the game. An NBA team is going to take a bit of a chance drafting Christopher near the Lottery, however that gamble could pay off if he turns into the type of guy who can stick around for 10+ years.
