Kyle Nelson
At first glance, it's hard to fathom why Will Coleman averaged just 7.2 points and 5.4 rebounds per game over the course of his career.
One of the most physically gifted players at this event, Coleman stands 6'8, sports a chiseled 241-pound frame, has an impressive 7'1.5 wingspan, and is arguably the best athlete you'll find at his position in the senior class.
It becomes increasingly obvious while watching him play, however, that he is still a very raw player. He lacks the fundamentals and feel on both sides of the court that are expected of a 22 year-old collegiate senior and he rarely exhibited the consistent energy and focus to compensateoften having huge fluctuations from possession to possession.
Coleman's Portsmouth showing was a pleasant surprise given his disappointing collegiate career. Though his skill level remains low, he was very active, running the floor, scrapping for missed shots, and moving without the ball in his hands. He finished emphatically at every opportunity and he was responsible for more than a few highlight reel dunks and blocks.
On the few occasions when he was featured in pick and roll sets, he capably finished around the basket. His post game is still very limited, however, largely comprised of a basic jump hook and underdeveloped footwork. Anything more complicated often resulted in a turnover.
Along these lines, he spotted up from mid-range on a few occasions, but his mechanics were inconsistent and his shot lacked anything resembling arc. Though he made an impressive 83.3% of his foul shots, his overall mechanics here looked far more like his career average of 62.5% FT.
Coleman was not challenged much on the defensive end, rarely playing against a good post scoring threat, but his performance was interesting nonetheless. On one hand, his lateral quickness, explosiveness, and timing, allow him to be an intimidating shot blocker and an overall disruptive defensive presence.
His lack of fundamentals and basketball IQ, however, hurt him significantly in the post, especially when he struggles to maintain position against weaker players. His deny-defense left much to be desired, even against this competition. His rebounding was even less encouraging, as he grabbed just 18 rebounds in three games.
Ultimately, however, Coleman improved his stock at Portsmouth. After all, he was a last minute invite and there was little to like about his underwhelming senior season. While Coleman is still a severe long shot to hear his name called on draft night, he surely showed that he has a great deal of potential still left to tap into, and could very well be a player that can continue to develop in the D-League or overseas.
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