Matt Powers

Editor @swishtheory | NBA Draft 📊🎞️ | Former @thestepien

[Matt Powers @DraftPow]

I wrote a summary of how my prospect evaluation process has evolved every year. Always my favorite column to write; check it out!

[Swish Theory @SwishTheory]

Lessons from the Draft Cycle, 2026

In this annual column, Editor-in-Chief @DraftPow details how his prospect evaluation and philosophy have evolved over the years.

Read below!⤵️🔗⤵️

[Matt Powers @DraftPow]

@eagleslbcore @_MikeRoth yea I'd say mostly just him hunting his own shot without checking passing options, though a portion of that is reasonable on that roster

[Matt Powers @DraftPow]

Fascinating shooting splits for Acuff so far
(FGA/game and eFG% on those attempts)

[Matt Powers @DraftPow]

@bobsox420 here's some more info

[Matt Powers @DraftPow]

+volume stats

[Matt Powers @DraftPow]

Jalen Langsy was 1st Team NAIA last season as a sophomore, and for good reason.

Absurd efficiency as the NAIA's 2nd leading scorer:
- 98th %ile 2P% @ 66%
- 100th %ile 3P% @ 51%
- 100th %ile FT% % 91%

He has a good chance to lead the Sun Belt in scoring in his first D1 season.

[Matt Powers @DraftPow]

@ChuckingDarts yea i like both, just need to see some things improve to say with conviction

[Matt Powers @DraftPow]

@jacksonhunter00 yea I’m just not as familiar with the incoming freshmen, prefer to let the sample build before really digging in

[Matt Powers @DraftPow]

Players I think are way too low here, in rough order of conviction:

#30 Tyler Tanner
#68 Daniel Jacobsen
#89 Nigel James
#45 Davis Fogle
#52 JoJo Tugler
#65 Flory Bidunga
#44 Tounde Yessoufou
#70 Jacob Cofie
#51 Miles Byrd

[Jeremy Woo @JeremyWoo]

Good morning. Here’s the first real update to ESPN’s 2027 NBA draft projections. Long way to go in what’s shaping up as a fascinating and wide-open draft cycle.

https://t.co/6ZNZDgaHUv

[Matt Powers @DraftPow]

@Hoops_GE he’s not my favorite archetype, but at some point in the late 1st the tools are definitely worth the swing. I need to see a better FTR, but you really can find PT just with downhill and vertical athleticism, spacing and not completely damaging feel. And I think his feel is fine

[Matt Powers @DraftPow]

@tgress12 I get the weight concerns — he *will* be overpowered in the NBA — but having elite hands + anticipation can seriously limit that. Listed at +14 pounds by Vandy compared to the Combine & looked it in game 1. And if he makes another passing leap w/o significant drop off elsewhere…

[Ahmed Jama @slipthescreen]

The majority of draft prospects kicked off their seasons last night, and the most notable matchup (in my eyes) was BYU-Ohio State. Here's a quick thread on one of the projected lottery picks from this game, Bruce Branch III!

[Matt Powers @DraftPow]

Past versions from Wafe:

[Swish Theory @SwishTheory]

https://t.co/JDhGwcsJse

[Matt Powers @DraftPow]

I’ve seen this comp a few times, and to me he’s even better, a stronger Larry Bird

[Jim @Wiz_Weekly]

Boozer is basically just power forward Haliburton.

Hali had questions early on about his isolation scoring and in-between game. Those will be the questions for Boozer (I think he’ll figure it out but they are fair questions).

But elite feel and touch goes a long way.

[Swish Theory @SwishTheory]

One big aspect to the Grizzlies' success?

Cedric Coward's Rebounding & Role Scalability

"He just solidifies the Rebounding Advantage.

9 REB/gm – the most of any player 6'6" or shorter
14th in the league" - @PAKA_FLOCKA

𝐋𝐞𝐚𝐫𝐧𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐁𝐚𝐬𝐤𝐞𝐭𝐛𝐚𝐥𝐥 from @beyondtheRK

[Matt Powers @DraftPow]

Where would Tyran Stokes have landed on your 2026 board?

[Lucas @Lugerrll]

People act like these factors don’t intersect: getting an Oboard leads to second chance possessions which have much higher PPP (boosting oTS). Not turning it over means you don’t give the opposing team that transition efficiency boost thus (theoretically) lowering their oTS / boosting your own dTS. Etc. etc.

Everything in basketball intersects, saying one part doesn’t matter is a nothing burger take.

[Matt Powers @DraftPow]

@Wiesnoski Seems like one of the rare players to realize there really are infinite ways to drive to the hoop when you have this level of control (ie Manu)

[Matt Powers @DraftPow]

The rookie item I’ve been most impressed with so far is Keaton Wagler’s free throw drawing. 31 FTAs to 38 FGAs.

Doesn’t need burst or anything complex, instead winning with misdirection, change of pace & inviting physicality. A great sign for his future, and has made nearly all.

[Matt Powers @DraftPow]

One of the most malleable players the league has seen. It won’t be long until we talk about Flagg as one of the great teammate-boosters.

[Ben Pfeifer @bjpf_]

cooper flagg (small sample) usage/playmaking changes from his rookie season

assist rate: 21.2% -> 32.2%
on-ball rate: 25.8% -> 15.6%
dribbles/touch: 3.96 -> 3.04

[Ben Pfeifer @bjpf_]

cooper flagg (small sample) usage/playmaking changes from his rookie season

assist rate: 21.2% -> 32.2%
on-ball rate: 25.8% -> 15.6%
dribbles/touch: 3.96 -> 3.04

[Matt Powers @DraftPow]

The 2P scoring is bad and likely will be bad (though not THIS bad), so all the better for Keaton to give himself the opportunity to figure out grifting, and with a high 3PR to buoy the TS%.