Scouting Malik Monk’s potential fit with the Miami Heat

Strengths

When discussing Monk’s strengths as a player, what immediately comes to mind is his expertise in putting the ball through the hoop. Monk, despite being a freshman, is the tenth leading scorer in the country.

And of the 10 players with the highest scoring averages, Monk is one of just two who is both a freshman and playing in a major conference. The other one is that Markelle Fultz guy you may have heard about. (He’s pretty good too.)

On the season, Monk is averaging 22.4 points, 2.5 rebounds, and 2.3 assists per game. He shoots 50 percent from the floor, 41 percent from three, and 83 from the foul line. That is absurd efficiency, and what NBA teams find most appealing about him.

Monk is absolutely deadly from three-point range. He has hit at least four threes in 10 of the 22 games he has played.

Back in December, in the 11th game of his career, Monk put on one of the best freshman performances ever. His Kentucky Wildcats faced off against a loaded (and more experienced) North Carolina Tar Heels team. How did he respond? Simply by scoring 47 points on 18-for-28 shooting, going 8-of-12 from three, and hitting the biggest shot of the night.

Monk can beat you at all three levels (from three, mid-range, and around the basket). He never shies away from a big shot, and is especially fearless when it comes to challenging big men in the paint.

He’s lightning quick, gets down the floor in a hurry (leading to easy buckets in transition), and has serious bounce. On offense, he’s the total package. It’s on the other side of the ball where (some of) his uncertainties as a prospect lie.