re: hoops is a year away

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Potential lottery risers


Tari Eason (LSU, PF, Sophomore)

Latest stretch: Five games, 17.0 points, 6.6 rebounds, 1.4 steals, 56.4 percent FG, 5-of-10 3PT

Ranked top 10 in the nation in both offensive and defensive box plus-minus, Eason has made an impact with two-way versatility the NBA figures to value. A 26-point, 10-rebound double-double against Alabama last week only helped validate the early breakout signs and strengthen his case as a potential lottery pick.

The 6'8", 215-pound forward has wowed with his ability to put the ball down and attack, having already recorded 14 grab-and-go baskets in transition, 13 field goals after driving past closeouts and converted on 7-of-10 possessions as a pick-and-roll ball-handler. Otherwise, he's been an active off-ball scorer by crashing the glass, cutting and rolling. And his 3.5 steal rate and 6.5 percentage block rate can be viewed as promising indicators when projecting his tools and movement for the pros.

Shooting may be a key swing skill for Eason, who's made 13-of-40 threes (32.5 percent) but 77.8 percent of his free throws.

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