Quincy Pondexter

Quincy Pondexter ranks as the third most efficient overall scorer on our rankings at 1.066 PPP. He was the second ranked isolation scorer at 0.972 PPP, and scored roughly 1.3 PPP off of 4.4 possessions per-game off of basket cuts and offensive rebounds. He proves well above average as a finisher, and his 42% shooting on pull up jump shots ranks him fourth in this group.

After starting off the season strong, and in turn being profiled on DraftExpress in early December, Quincy Pondexter has maintained pace throughout his stellar senior season, leading Washington to a Pac-10 Championship and a NCAA Tournament bid. Having one of the stranger college careers you’ll see over four years, Pondexter has matured leaps and bounds as both a player and a leader during his time at Washington.

Always exceptionally talented, especially from a physical standpoint, its taken Pondexter time to put all his tools together and develop into a well-rounded basketball player, which he’s without a doubt become at this point. Pondexter’s production and efficiency levels have both skyrocketed this season, and most importantly, he’s shown a very high feel for the game as well as an understanding of his own strengths and weaknesses.

Generating most of his offense out of isolation situations in the pinch post and short baseline areas, Pondexter has an excellent first step, very rangy strides, and simple but effective ball-handling ability, allowing him to get separation fairly easily against most opponents, either going to the basket or pulling up for a shot in his defender’s face. Despite operating out of an area of the floor that doesn’t lend itself to high scoring efficiency, Pondexter is posting a very high 63% TS% this season, evidence of his wise shot selection. Pondexter is also turning the ball over on just 12% of his possessions, a very low number for someone who generates so much offense through individual shot creation.

As a shooter, Pondexter has come a long way in his four seasons, and the rise of his free throw percentage from 68% to 74% to 82% the past three years is pretty indicative of his overall growth. According to Synergy Sports Technology, he’s scoring 0.94 Points per Shot on his jumpers, an impressive number given that almost all of his shots are coming inside the arc, with nearly half of his shots being off the dribble with a hand in his face. Pondexter does a good job going to turnaround jumpers out of his pinch post plays, getting very good elevation and showing pretty good body control, allowing him to get off high percentage shots.

Pondexter’s three point shot is still not what you’d call reliable, as he’s hit just 18 shots from range on the year despite shooting 39%. Given his young age, the way he’s improved his shot from other areas of the floor and his learning curve in general, it’s possible this is something he will improve on down the road, which would make him an extremely useful player.

Attacking the basket, Pondexter is an excellent finisher, and has shown a very high activity level this season, getting to the free throw line at a strong rate and showing a good motor going after offensive rebounds. His ability to jump both off first and second bounces helps him a lot here, as does a decent floater in his repertoire, which can throw defenses off guard. In general, Pondexter shows a very high motor on the offensive end, constantly moving off the ball to get open and attacking seams in the defense.

Defensively, Pondexter has continued his great play all season, showing outstanding versatility in man-to-man defense, good fundamentals in the post and on the perimeter, while also showing very good rotational awareness, being a vocal leader for the Huskies’ defense. He’s not the biggest or strongest player you’ll find, as definitely projects as a small forward defensively in the NBA, having nearly ideal physical tools otherwise for that role, but also possessing the versatility to defend multiple positions, along with a high level of focus and effort.

Looking to the NBA, there are some concerns about how Pondexter might need to re-adjust to playing more off the ball, creating less of his own offense, and getting stronger and more reliable as a spot-up shooter, but he brings a variety of tools to the table and plays well on both ends of the floor, and should have little trouble finding a role. The learning curve and maturation he’s shown in his four years at Washington is also extremely encouraging, especially seeing how he just turned 22 years old this week. Pondexter should be firmly in first round discussions come draft time, and could even move up further if a team falls in love with him.

Kyle Nelson

Going on four years of continually profiling his NBA draft prospects, it is time to evaluate Quincy Pondexter for the player he is rather than harp on his as of yet untapped potential. After all, the senior forward is averaging 22 points, 9.6 rebounds, 2 assists, and 1.9 steals per game, positioning himself as one of the top scorers and rebounders amongst NBA draft prospects in our database. In fact, Pondexter has improved across the board, averaging career highs in just about every statistical category and showing the tenacity and grit that scouts hoped to see from him during his last season at Washington.

Physically, there continues to be still very little to dislike about Pondexter. After all, he stands between 6’6 and 6’7 with a great frame and length. He is in another league athletically, as well, with excellent explosiveness and mobility, which when paired with his energetic and scrappy play, form an invaluable combination for the college game. Looking to the next level, where combo forwards are thriving and perimeter roles are being redefined, Pondexter has a tremendous amount of potential, capable of playing inside and outside on both ends of the floor.

On the offensive end, Pondexter has improved across the board, starting to look much more comfortable with his role and dominating all over the floor. While many of his 22 points per game come from the post and around the basket, he looks far more comfortable this season putting the ball on the floor and spotting up from distance.

His handle is much improved, probably still not quite where it needs to be in order to excel as a shot-creator at the next level, but good enough so that he can utilize his superior first step and explosiveness in mismatch situations. Few defenders, regardless of size and athletic ability, can stay in front of him at the collegiate level, hinting at his potential as a slasher should he continue to improve his ball handling ability.

Also much improved is his shooting stroke, which is far more fluid and compact than in the past. Though he still does not show the ability to consistently and comfortably knock down shots from the perimeter, it now looks like a good possibility that he will develop with time and practice. After all, he is making close to 57% of his shots from inside of the arc and 88% of 8.3 free throw attempts per game. There is no reason why Pondexter cannot develop into an offensive game equivalent to James Posey or Mickael Pietrus if he continues to work on getting more range on his jump-shot and confidence in his abilities. Scouts will be watching this season to see whether or not he can continue to make progress in this area.

On the inside, Pondexter’s athleticism and much improved footwork have allowed him to dominate bigger players with ease. He shows a softer touch this season and better awareness, which have helped him maximize his efficiency around the basket. Also worth noting, however, is his improved passing and the way he’s managed to cut down on his turnover rate. Though he is very undersized, he does a good job of using his combination of athleticism and versatility to exploit match ups at the collegiate level, something sure to catch scouts’ eyes in the coming months.

Slowly but surely Pondexter is developing a killer instinct, attacking the boards relentlessly and getting to the foul line at a very good rate, both of which are expected from a player with his size, skill-set, and athleticism. He has also slowly emerged into a leadership role, which has manifested itself in aggressiveness and a greater desire to step up and create offense for himself in the clutch. Scouts will be watching him throughout this year to see if these flashes become a habit, as we’ve seen him start seasons off red-hot in the past, only to fade down the stretch.

Defense reigns supreme, however, when considering Pondexter’s NBA future. He has the ability to defend inside and outside, with lateral quickness that allows him to stay in front of guards and wings and suffocating length that helps him compensate for his lack of height in the post. His effort and focus-level has increased significantly this season as well, and while he still suffers from lapses from time to time, they’re far less frequent and it is clear that he is more active, aware, and vocal. He will have to continue to work hard in match ups against high caliber offensive players to prove to scouts that he has can develop into a multi-positional lockdown defender at the next level.

At just 21 years old, Pondexter is still very much an enigma and his role in the NBA is still not easy to project. Players with length and athleticism who can guard multiple positions and excel in up-tempo offenses are thriving in today’s NBA, granted they fall into the right situation. If he can develop a reliable jump shot and continue to bring consistent energy and focus on both ends of the floor, he could be an extremely valuable rotation player.

Kyle Nelson

Quincy Pondexter was one of the top recruits in the country when he chose to attend the University of Washington in 2006. Unfortunately, he is very much the same player right now, still more of an athlete than a basketball player. In three years at Washington, Pondexter has failed to make the transition to the perimeter that many foresaw. This is not necessarily a bad thing, however, as Pondexter has emerged as one of the scrappiest players in the nation, a versatile and relentless combo-forward with the athleticism and motor that is bound to interest NBA teams. This season, he must continue to show improvement in his overall feel for the game and his offensive skill set if he’s to prove that he’s worthy of being drafted.

Athletically, there are few players in the NCAA who are more gifted than Quincy Pondexter. Standing 6’7 with a good frame and a 7’0 wingspan, he is undersized for a power forward, but has great size for the wing. He is an elite athlete, possessing excellent quickness and leaping ability, which he utilizes at every opportunity.

On the offensive end of the floor, Pondexter is still incredibly raw, though he has shown flashes of expanding his offensive repertoire. For one, his shooting form has improved. He has a very high release point and boasts a quicker and smoother shooting motion than in years past, even if his motion is still too deliberate. While he is not yet consistent or comfortable shooting from long range, he showed flashes of developing into a solid set shooter on the perimeter. If Pondexter wants to be considered an NBA player, he absolutely must improve his shooting and show scouts that he can consistently hit a spot-up jumper. Even more intriguing than his improved spot-up shooting ability, however, were the times that he pulled up off of the dribble from mid-range, revealing a high arcing jump shot that, more often than not, found the bottom of the net.

What is holding Pondexter back offensively, at this stage, is a combination of ball handling and basketball IQ. He is still almost exclusively a straight-line dribbler without a left hand, which limits his effectiveness and creativity on the perimeter. Improving his handle would help him as a slasher, allowing him to better utilize his athleticism to get to the basket. Similarly, as he spends much of his time on the court in the post, improved ball handling ability would make him more dangerous as a mismatch threat facing the basket at the collegiate level. His devastating quickness, combined with his strength, developing footwork, and improving touch around the basket, have allowed Pondexter to reinvent himself as a true combo forward in the vein of current Milwaukee Buck, Luc Richard Mbah a Moute.

Comparing Pondexter to Mbah a Moute invites another criticism. While Pondexter has certainly improved on the offensive end and superficially resembles the former UCLA star, his basketball IQ is still lacking. In order to make the transition from the collegiate post to a professional multipurpose role, he must show better awareness and the decision-making ability while on the floor. Four years later, Pondexter is still not much of a passer and still looks confused when he touches the ball outside of 15 feet. If he wants to prove to scouts that he can play in the NBA, he must first show that he has better court savvy and can thrive in a well-defined, but limited role.

Pondexter has the potential to be a lock-down defender, as he possesses very good lateral quickness that allows him to stay with faster guards on the perimeter in addition to guarding post players. His wingspan and strength help him to overcome his lack of size, though at the next level, he will not be able to guard big men as effectively. Pondexter is a very active defender, as well, moving constantly and always staying in the mix on the defensive boards, even while playing next to Jon Brockman last season. He must improve his awareness, however, if he wants to play at the next level. As mentioned earlier, his basketball IQ is just average and he must work harder to stay in position and not miss rotations as both a post defender and a perimeter defender.

Pondexter’s final season in Washington will be pivotal in determining whether or not the NBA is in his future. He must prove to scouts that he has improved his shooting range and can consistently knock down shots with his feet set. Similarly, he should also work on his ball handling ability and try to expand his offensive arsenal. On a team full of undersized guards, he will likely not see much time on the perimeter, but he has every opportunity to emerge as a dominant and versatile face-up four man in the Washington system. If he can flourish in his role and can show improvements on both sides of the ball, then there will surely be teams thinking about him on draft night.

Quincy Pondexter showed that he’s still very much a prospect that teams need to keep an eye on with the potential he showed at these tryouts, particularly in terms of his physical tools. Pondexter is a very good athlete with long arms and a great frame, and was able to use that to his advantage in particular defensively and on the offensive glass. His ball-handling skills remain poor and his perimeter shot a bit streaky, though, as it seems he’s still a bit more comfortable in an up-tempo system where his average skill-level and feel for the game isn’t exposed as much.

After a very strong first few weeks in his freshman campaign, Quincy Pondexter’s game fell off considerably, and a season and a half later, it still hasn’t returned. Pondexter didn’t do anything to rebound from a disappointing close to his freshman season, as his numbers fell off even more as a sophomore, with his production remaining about the same while his efficiency dropped considerably, from 50% to 45% FG%, 76% to 69% FT%, and 38% to 29% 3PT%. On the bright side, Pondexter did have a few nice blips on the radar to close the season, with a 23-point game against California and a 19-point game vs. Stanford making up somewhat for a fairly underwhelming sophomore campaign. A 6-7 small forward with all the physical tools you look for in an NBA prospect at that position, Pondexter will be given many more chances to show his value to decision makers thanks to his considerable upside.

On the offensive end, Pondexter is at his best attacking the basket, despite not having the greatest ball-handling abilities. He’s not great with the ball in space and doesn’t possess many advanced moves in his arsenal, but at the same time, he’s way more than a straight-line driver. Pondexter likes to operate starting with the ball in the 15-18 foot range, attacking from the pinch, wing, or baseline. He does most of his damage on two or three-dribble drives, making truly exceptional use of crafty maneuvers like jump stops, pivots, up fakes, spin moves, and subtle changes of direction. He’s especially good with the jump stops, utilizing them to both change direction and gather himself to make full use of his very good explosiveness. In this area of his game, he has a very high comfort level, and shows good instincts in making difficult maneuvers, using his good footwork as well. Honing his ability to create his own shot and becoming a better decision maker with the ball would serve him well moving forward considering his excellent natural tools.

At the basket, Pondexter is good at powering up over opponents to score, and has a nice right-handed floater as well, but his touch on lay-ups around the basket is average at best. This shows up in his post game as well, where he shows noticeably less comfort and instincts than he does in his slashing game. While capable of punishing smaller opponents, Pondexter doesn’t make great reads with his back to the basket, often winding up forcing a tough shot.

Pondexter also has a respectable jump shot in his arsenal, definitely being at his best with a set shot in space. He has fairly good form, with a high release that has moderate speed, though he suffers some inconsistencies, be it not getting his legs under him, not holding his follow through, or having his arm drift slightly to the right. He also doesn’t seem to have a great feel for shooting the ball, with quite a few bad misses coming from the ball being noticeably overpowered or underpowered. Pondexter isn’t really a threat to create and pull-up off the dribble, and his accuracy falls off when he’s strongly contested. He’ll definitely want to continue working on his set shot, which will be important for his future at the next level.

Defensively, Pondexter has made progress, but still has some work to do. His physical abilities are very good on this end of the court as well, and he’s finally making some strides to applying them better. He does a good job staying in a pretty consistent stance and plays with a high effort level as well. The results are inconsistent, though, as at times he’ll play very well, showing very good lateral quickness, sticking with his man step-for-step, and using his length to really bother the opposition. At other times, though, he’ll give too much space to shooters or get sold badly on jab steps or change-of-direction moves. He also is prone to getting into foul trouble, which keeps his minutes per game down to a low 24.4 per game.

While his numbers fell off a bit due to inconsistency and other issues, Pondexter is still quite a skilled player with excellent physical abilities. If he could cut down on some of his foul trouble issues, improve his overall feel for the game, and do a better job of more consistently getting involved on the offensive end, he could definitely be in line for a breakout junior season, which his draft stock is in need of. It’s hard to project his NBA potential, as there are a lot of factors that will determine that in regards to his continued development, but his potential is still very high, and the first round is certainly not out of the picture if he can elevate his game over the next season or two.

Pondexter is a player who appeared to be an immediate can't miss NBA prospect throughout the first two months of the 06-07 season, yet ultimately showing that he is a super talent that still has a ways to go by season’s end. Bright spots included his jaw dropping 25 point outburst versus Arizona in early January and his 20 plus point performances versus Idaho, Sacramento State, and Pepperdine early in the year. However, we must not forget his 8 game stretch throughout February in which he failed to reach double figures in the scoring column, right in the heart of the Huskies' PAC-10 schedule.

Standing 6-foot-6 and weighing 220 lbs., Pondexter possesses ideal size for a small forward prospect. His muscular physique enables him to post up smaller wings, while still exerting enough quickness to beat them from the perimeter. He has displayed an excellent first step and has a nice wingspan, but although he has all of the raw tools to be a solid defender, things did not work out that way for him last season.

Defense is clearly Quincy's biggest weakness, evidenced by the way he was constantly torched by opposing wings during PAC-10 play. He always seemed to be a half of a step slow, both in terms of rotations and actual on the ball defense. It is clear that Pondexter has all of the physical capabilities to eventually become a nice defender, but lacks the experience and proper fundamentals on that end at the moment.

On the flip side, Pondexter was in the upper echelon of freshman wing players on the offensive end. He showed the ability the shoot the ball from the collegiate three point line with relative ease, although he was a bit on the streaky side. The Washington sophomore was very creative off the dribble, using his sharp ball handling skills and ability to weave in and out of traffic en route to the rim. Not stopping there, he has exerted himself as a legitimate presence on the blocks, as far as wings are concerned. His size and strength allows him to exploit mismatches versus opposing players, to the fullest extent.

The most glaring area that needs to be improved upon in Quincy's offensive repertoire is clearly his decision making. He struggles mightily when faced with a double team, often turning the ball over. His .75/1 assist to turnover ratio is subpar for a player who was not even a focal point of his team's offense.

Despite the two glaring weaknesses that we have mentioned, Pondexter's athleticism and ability to put the ball in the basket immediately place him amongst the top wings in the PAC-10. Whether or not he is able to improve upon these weaknesses, along with whether or not his offensive role is expanded this season will be crucial in terms of his chances to bolt to the NBA. Guards Ryan Appleby and Justin Dentmon have not seen a shot that they did not like, while Jon Brockman is one of the top big men in the conference, meaning that shots may be sparse yet again for Pondexter. Either way, he is clearly a player that NBA personnel will be following closely this upcoming season, and one who surely has all of the raw tools to be an NBA player one day.

Before Thursday’s game against Arizona, Pondexter was moved from the starting line-up to the bench. Washington had been on a 2 game losing streak, and Coach Lorenzo Romar thought the move might spark his team. Though Washington lost against Arizona, Pondexter had his best game of the season thus far, and fully displayed his potential as an NBA draft prospect.

Right when Pondexter was inserted into the game, he went on a scoring spree that may go unmatched this season in the Pac-10. He scored 17 points in his first 8 minutes on the court in the first half. During this stretch, he scored most of his points inside the paint, both slashing to the hoop and in transition. On one possession, Pondexter dribbled the length of the court on a fast break and made an amazing behind the back move in traffic before finishing around a defender at the basket. He cooled off a bit in the second half, but was still able to score on some more penetrations, as well as cuts and back to the basket moves. Pondexter finished the game with 25 points in his 26 minutes, but it was not enough to lead Washington to victory.

Offensively, Pondexter is very adept at slashing to the hoop and finishing with either hand. He does a good job of anticipating traffic, and his footwork allows him to use spins and jukes to separate from the defenders. In terms of shooting, Pondexter has a nice stroke with three point range when he’s set, but struggles to make perimeter shots off the dribble. He is smooth athletically, and this helps him both on his jump shot and when he is finishing inside.

Pondexter has to make some steady improvements before he is ready to play in the NBA. His off the dribble ability must improve, and he also has to improve his passing ability when defenders start collapsing on him. At this point, Pondexter has a nice frame, but will need to become stronger. He has nice potential on the defensive end, but will need to work on his positioning, and his effort is sometimes inconsistent. Size and length help Pondexter get rebounds in college, but better fundamentals will be necessary for this to translate to the next level. He has a nice back to the basket game that he can use in college, but this probably won’t be a main tool for him in the NBA.

As a freshman at Washington, Quincy Pondexter has displayed efficient scoring ability that separates him from many other draft prospects. A nice combination of slashing ability, athleticism, and set shooting ability are a nice combination for a freshman to possess. He will need to progress in other areas of his game, but he has the whole Pac 10 season to improve. If Pondexter continues to produce throughout the conference portion of Washington’s schedule, we’ll have a much better handle on his true draft stock. A run in the NCAA Tournament will best help Pondexter’s draft stock, but he’s likely still a year or two away from being ready for the NBA.