OTTO PORTER
6-8, 205 lbs.
School: Georgetown
Class: Sophomore
Selected 3rd overall by Washington Wizards
STRENGTHS: Porter is a do-everything small forward who can score and facilitate equally well. He’s got the requisite size (6-8) to be an effective 3 in the pros and was a good rebounder in college, leading the Hoyas at 7.4 per. Porter was the go-to-guy for Georgetown and had some impressive games, including a 33-point performance in a win over Syracuse. He’s an excellent passer, and operated brilliantly within the confines of Georgetown’s Princeton-style offense. Porter is a solid defender and has the potential to be a lock-down guy because of his length and athletic ability on the wing. He was named the Big East Player of the Year this past season.
WEAKNESSES: Although he was clearly the best player on the Hoyas last season, Porter isn’t a take-over kind of guy. He averaged 16.2 points per game this season and won’t be a big-time scorer in the NBA because he isn’t a lights-out shooter and struggles to get his own shot. He doesn’t have an offensive quality that separates him from others. He’s shifty and quick, but could have trouble creating his own shot against NBA athletes. His inability to take over against Florida Gulf Coast in the NCAAs will haunt him. There’s no reason for a guy as talented as he is to put up just 13 points on 5-of-17 shooting against an Atlantic Sun team.
BOTTOM LINE: Otto Porter can be a solid rotation guy, and could develop into a starter and key player on an NBA team over time. He’s not going to be a big-time scorer, but his passing and rebounding skills will afford him well in the league. Defensively, Porter has the potential to be good because of his length and athleticism on the wing. He’s not quick, but he’s shifty and knows how to play. Given time, he could be an effective pro.