NBA Draft 2013: Otto Porter scouting report

SB Nation is posting scouting reports of each prospect in the 2013 NBA Draft. Learn more about Georgetown forward Otto Porter.

NAME: Otto Porter

SCHOOL: Georgetown

AGE ON DRAFT NIGHT: Porter turned 20 on June 3.

POSITION: Small forward

MEASUREMENTS: 6'9, 198 pounds, 7'1.5 wingspan, 8'9.5 standing reach.

STATS:

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RELEVANT ADVANCED STATS: 1.79 assist-to-turnover ratio this season. One of the many facets where Porter's feel for the game shines through.

SB NATION BIG BOARD POSITION: No. 8

NBA CEILING: Andrei Kirilenko

NBA FLOOR: Josh Childress

JONATHAN TJARKS' ANALYSIS

Otto Porter, one of the most versatile players in the draft, is coming off an excellent all-around season at Georgetown. As a sophomore, he lead the Hoyas in points (16.2), rebounds (7.5) and steals (1.8). He also was third in assists (2.7) and second in blocks (.9). A 6'9, 200-pound forward with a 7'2 wingspan, Porter has the ideal combination of length and athleticism for the small forward position.

But while Porter's feel for the game and high basketball IQ will allow him to be a contributor right away, there are some concerns about his ceiling, especially if he's taken in the Top 5. In college, most of his points came off post-ups and moving without the ball. He doesn't have the elite first step to beat his man off the dribble, and lacks the strength and explosiveness to finish through contact in the lane. As a result, if his jumper isn't falling, he will be relatively easy to defend.

The key for him at the next level will be putting on some weight, which will allow him to play out of the post and match up with bigger small forwards. In certain situations, Porter's length might even allow him to play as a small-ball 4.

Down the road, Porter should be extremely valuable as a versatile defender and secondary shot-creator. He may never be a star, if he's your third- or fourth-best player, you will have a really good team.

DRAFT EXPRESS SCOUTING REPORT

OTHER SB NATION SCOUTING REPORTS

Casual Hoya, SB Nation's Georgetown blog:

Porter's ascent from intriguing unknown to budding star was remarkable, but it may have been gradual compared to the trajectory of the past few months. With Whittington sidelined for academic reasons, the Hoyas were short-handed, offensively anemic, and thin on the wing. Porter filled all of those holes, somehow contributing more while doing so more efficiently. Otto turned in one sterling performance after another during an 11-game Georgetown winning streak that resulted in the Hoyas being crowned Big East regular season champions. That streak included typically Porterian clinics on maximizing opportunity (19 points on 10 shots in a must-win game at Notre Dame to begin the streak; 20 on 9 in a trouncing of Seton Hall). He also put on a two-way show of excellence, dominating the defensive end and the boards while scoring in the clutch in two wins over the hapless (and, as later revealed, ball-dodging) Rutgers.

Otto's masterpiece was reserved for Georgetown's arch-rival, Syracuse. In the Hoyas' last visit to the Carrier Dome, Porter poured in 33 of Georgetown's 57 points in a thrilling, record-crowd-silencing win for the visiting Hoyas. With that unforgettable performance, Porter wrote his name in the book of an already historic rivalry. Suddenly, Otto was no longer the small-town wonder, or the selfless and seamless contributor, but the limitless star. An impeccable defender, surprisingly effective rebounder, and rapidly improving shooter, Otto proved that he also could bear the weight of an entire team on his narrow frame. Four nights after his signature game at Syracuse, Otto's last-second, game-winning lay-in at Connecticut further cemented his national reputation. At season's end, Porter racked up a series of deserved accolades: Big East Player of the Year, All-American, and surefire lottery pick. The last made his departure from the Hilltop a near certainty, and Otto announced his professional intentions in mid-April.

Bullets Forever:

Otto proved his worth as a jack of all trades player, using his well-rounded game to dominate in areas other than scoring. He can be your secondary facilitator in halfcourt sets, he'll keep his motor running at all times, and he'll play sound defense. But despite the elasticity in his game, detractors still fear his lack of an elite skill and limited athleticism will hurt him in the long run.

Personally, that reeks of an absurd narrative that's constantly brought up during this time. The draft paradigm is far too complex for one to be helplessly allocating prospects into specific molds.

The league is constantly evolving, and stylistically speaking, there isn't a more compelling talent than Otto Porter. The mismatches he creates along the perimeter and high post would mobilize a world of opportunity for head coaches, and his defensive impact would do the same. His understanding of the game and physical gifts allows him to play in multiple systems, which gives him a leg up over most inferior forwards he's oft placed in proximity to.

Canis Hoopus:

He can shoot, pass, rebound, and defend. He has great size for a small forward with 7'1.5" arms. He carried a team that was supposed to have a down year to a #2 seed in the NCAA tournament. He put on numerous dominating performances including a 33, 8, and 5 (stls) game against Syracuse, a 28, 8 and 4 (stls) game against Rutgers, a 4X5 against UCLA (only two steals away from a 5X5), and 5 additional double-doubles all in 2013. Porter's sophomore campaign was dominating enough to leave no question that he is a top-3 pick.

As much as I like Porter, there are some causes for concern. Most future stars hit the ground running, but Porter looked pedestrian throughout his freshman season. Even after Porter took the reins in his sophomore year, he still did not post the usage and related scoring volume you expect of a future star against college competition. This is likely a function of his poor penetration ability. He only got to the rim 2.6 times every 40 minutes and usually got there with the help of an assist. This did not really hurt his efficiency in college but it could be a problem in the NBA. This means that Porter's shot needs to continue to fall at the next level in order to contribute offensively.

Bright Side of the Sun:

Porter is one of the most productive and less risky picks in this years draft. H's a very good shooter/rebounder and an excellent perimeter defender who can utilize his length to disrupt the offense. He is also a very good and willing passer and he can create his own shot off the dribble. However, with less risk comes less reward. I see Porter as a quality starter at best or a productive role player at worst...but I don't see him turning into an all-star caliber player at the next level. He doesn't possess elite athleticism or seem to have a killer instinct that often separates the cream from the crop.

Rufus on Fire:

Otto Porter, who is 6'8" with a 7'1" wingspan, has more than enough size to step into the small forward position in the NBA. Porter has solid athleticism, a knack for scoring around the rim and shooting range that has improved to outside the arc. The Georgetown sophomore plays within himself, moving well without the ball while proving to be a very willing passer. On defense, Porter's length gives him a heady advantage over his opponents but he's going to have to add some muscle on that 200 pound frame if he wants that to carry over into the NBA. Porter may not carry the gifts of other-worldly athleticism, but his physical tools and work ethic should earn him a good career.

For more coverage, visit SB Nation's NBA Draft 2013 section.