Dec 10, 2016; San Antonio, TX, USA; Brooklyn Nets shooting guard Caris LeVert (22) shoots the ball past San Antonio Spurs center Dewayne Dedmon (3, right) during the first half at AT&T Center. Mandatory Credit: Soobum Im-USA TODAY Sports
Caris LeVert, a 22-year-old swingman from the University of Michigan, made his NBA debut last Wednesday against the Denver Nuggets. Despite only making one shot in his first two career games, LeVert showed several promising attributes on the court.
Despite not playing in his first career game that he was eligible, Caris LeVert saw in action in a Brooklyn Nets victory against the Nuggets and a blowout loss to the Spurs. All eyes were on the Michigan product as he bolted around the court, making things happen on offense and defense. He attempted four shots and nabbed three steals in 24 minutes of court time up to this point.
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The former Ohio native had an injury-riddled four-year career in Ann Arbor. Fighting through a variety of foot injuries, LeVert was still able to consistently improve over the course of his college career.
He went from coming off the bench while averaging 2.3 points a contest his freshman year, to putting up 16.5 points per game his senior season. This great jump was made even as LeVert was undergoing a number of surgeries, showing that he was still able to come back better then ever even after sustaining major setbacks. His physical tools and length still remained prominent through the tribulations LeVert suffered with the Wolverines.
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After a draft day trade, the Nets acquired a first-round pick in the 2016 NBA Draft. By trading for the 20th pick, Sean Marks and company selected LeVert, despite him being slotted to go in second round.
LeVert spent most of the summer and the early part of the 2016-17 NBA season rehabbing. After getting little word on his progress, the Nets stated around Thanksgiving that he was a few weeks away from seeing action. This all led up to his season debut in two games this past week.
With a solid showing in two career NBA games under his belt, here are two reasons why LeVert will succeed in the pros for multiple seasons.
Dec 23, 2015; Ann Arbor, MI, USA; Michigan Wolverines guard Caris LeVert (23) goes to the basket defended by Bryant University Bulldogs forward Dan Garvin (22) in the first half at Crisler Center. Mandatory Credit: Rick Osentoski-USA TODAY Sports
Length
One thing that can be agreed upon is that the most impressive stat from LeVert’s NBA debut was his three steals in less than 15 minutes. These steals were not merely gambles on defense, as they were a result of disrupting passing lanes ,followed by flying out on a fast break.
LeVert’s domineering 6-foot-10 wingspan was clearly not accounted for by the Nuggets. This wingspan and athleticism are no question his biggest advantages to having a prolonged NBA career.
These attributes also account for LeVert’s solid rebounding numbers for a wing. He averaged 5.3 rebounds per contest in his senior season at Michigan, in addition to grabbing 7.5 rebounds per 36 minutes his first couple of NBA appearances.
6-foot-10 and 7-foot-2; those are the wingspans for LeVert and Rondae Hollis-Jefferson respectively. That kind of length is almost unheard of for a pair of wings. If both can make significant steps in their development, then that tandem on the wing would be a terror for any perimeter scorer. These two would combine to be one of the most athletic and versatile pair of wings in the league.
Putting on a bit more weight on LeVert’s sub-200 pound body would almost bring him to RHJ’s level defensively. Other than this blemish, LeVert has the tools and length to be a solid rotation player at minimum.
Dec 10, 2016; San Antonio, TX, USA; Brooklyn Nets shooting guard Caris LeVert (22) shoots the ball as San Antonio Spurs shooting guard Danny Green (14) defends during the first half at AT&T Center. Mandatory Credit: Soobum Im-USA TODAY Sports
Ball Handling
After not even being on the court for two minutes, LeVert cleanly intercepted a pass while the Nuggets were on the break. Instead of dumping it off to a guard, he decided to take it himself, weaving in and out of defenders on his way down the court. He pulled up and narrowly missed a floater that banked off the back rim.
Plays like these, along with numerous examples from his college career, demonstrate that LeVert is in fact able to play point guard. While he is likely not able to solely carry a primary ball handler’s duties on the court, LeVert is at the very least an option to bring the ball up the court from time to time.
Showing that this trait has carried to the next level makes LeVert one of the most versatile players on the Nets. His 6-foot-7 frame, defensive ability, athleticism, shooting ability (40 percent from behind the arc over the course of his college career), and his previously-mentioned ball handling skills make LeVert a prototypical modern day NBA wing.
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