Pippen Ain’t Easy’s 2017 NBA Draft Guide for the Chicago Bulls
Australia’s Terrance Ferguson
2016-17 season (in Australia’s NBL): 30 games played, 4.6 points on 44.4 percent shooting inside the arc (31.3 percent on 2.2 attempts per game), 1.2 rebounds and 0.6 assists per game
Terrance Ferguson was a legitimate top-15 recruit and a five-star recruit coming out of high school before this past season. Then, like another Arizona recruit of years past (Brandon Jennings), Ferguson took the overseas route instead of playing a year in college.
Ferguson hardly got to show what an impact he can make against professionals in Australia, but with a year under his belt against grown men at a high level, he’s got a little bit of a headstart on some of the draft class.
(Best-case scenario) comparable players (via The Ringer’s NBA Draft Guide): Orlando Magic guard Terrence Ross and former NBA forward Stephen Jackson
These feel about right for Ferguson. Ross can be explosive getting to the rim, while Jackson was a bit of a streaky shooter from 3 later in his career with the “We Believe” Warriors and a second stint with the San Antonio Spurs. The thing that makes Ferguson unique is, he’s a ridiculous leaper, but can get caliente from long range in an instant. He’s very streaky with his jumper, but his ability to attack the rim, his youth and his defensive potential on the perimeter make him one of the more intriguing prospects.
What does Draft Express think of Ferguson?
"Ferguson has had some occasional flashes demonstrating his explosiveness attacking defenders in a straight line, but is a very rudimentary ball-handler at this stage, even in the open floor due to his high and loose dribble. He looks a long ways off from being able to operate out of ball screens like most high-end NBA shooting guards can, looking uncomfortable handling pressure in the half-court. He doesn’t have the skill-set or feel for the game to consistently use his athleticism the way you might hope, as indicated by his paltry free throw attempt rate (2.2 per-40 minutes), but most of his turnovers have come off trying to make unselfish plays for teammates, as opposed to forcing the issue looking for points. Jonathan Givony on Ferguson midway through the NBL season, DX"