SHOOTING is an invaluable trait in the modern basketball game, particularly the NBA, so Gradey Dick should find himself courted by a number of teams ahead of the 2023 draft.

One of the best shooters in his class, Dick has elevated himself into the top-10 in a number of mock drafts, and offers size and the flexibility to shuffle down to the shooting guard position and stretch the opposition defence.

His shooting ability allows him to slot into any NBA side at the moment and contribute off the bench immediately, which will be reflected in how high he potentially goes on draft night later this year.

Gradey Dick

TEAM: Kansas Jayhawks
POSITION: Guard/Forward
DOB: 20/11/2003
HEIGHT: 6ft 8in
WEIGHT: 205lbs

Dick’s star began to rise when he competed for Wichita Collegiate School, and became a high school star for the side’s basketball team. In his second year on the team, he averaged over 20 points a game and announced himself as a genuine offensive threat heading into College. After transferring to Sunrise Christian Academy, he continued to thrive as a scorer, posting 18 points a game and being named the Gatorade National Player of the Year, which is a highly prestigious award.

He was a scouted prospect extremely early into his high school career, and Kansas were one of the teams with significant interest early. That was rewarded when he signed with the Jayhawks over a number of high-profile schools such as Florida and Illinois. So far during his time on the team, he has averaged 14.7 points per game while shooting 46 per cent from the field and 45 per cent from three-point territory.

Dick boasts one of the most impressive shooting motions in the draft class, seeming unfazed by the closing defence at times and draining a number of tough shots over the course of the season. He works extremely hard off the ball to get open, using screens to create separation.

His quick release allows him to get off a shot before the defence can properly contest his attempts from behind the arc. It means he has shot a much higher percentage than a lot of his peers from behind the arc.

He opens up the paint for his teammates by the gravity he creates by knocking down perimeter shots at such a high clip.

Obviously there are still question marks around how complete his scoring game can be, Dick is still a valuable asset to any NBA team with his shooting capabilities, and is looming likely as a lottery pick in a few months time.