Chicago Bulls 2021 NBA Draft Scouting Report: SG Nah’Shon Hyland

In a very strong 2021 NBA Draft class, the Chicago Bulls will only be picking in the second round, 38th overall. The Bulls saw the other pick the team had in the 2021 draft shipped off to the Orlando Magic at the trade deadline back on March 25. And despite the top-four protection on this draft pick, the Bulls still lost it to the Magic on draft lottery night last month.

Since the Bulls hold the 38th overall pick in the second round of the 2021 draft, there is a new big board that emerges for the front office. It’s one where the Bulls should be seeking out undervalued players such as the former VCU Rams reigning Atlantic-10 Player of the Year and sophomore shooting guard Nah’Shon Hyland.

The Bulls aren’t really going to have the opportunity to help round out the starting five right away with a second-round pick in the 2021 draft. But executive vice president of basketball operations Arturas Karnisovas and general manager Marc Eversley will have the opportunity to shore up the backcourt unit by drafting someone like Hyland, who does have a transferrable skillset at the next level.

Chicago Bulls 2021 NBA Draft Prospect Scouting Reports: Nah’Shon Hyland

Hyland is likely to fall in line as an early-to-mid second-round pick in the 2021 draft. If there’s a team that reaches for him, a late first-round pick is certainly possible. But that is unlikely.

As one of the more undervalued players in this draft class, Hyland could be a very nice find. The 6-foot-4 and 165-pound two-guard does need to put on some size early in his career, but the rest of his skill set is pretty polished.

Nah’Shon Hyland’s Numbers at VCU

It was a pretty dramatic increase in production that allowed Hyland to get so many accolades last season with the Rams. He was the 2020-21 Atlantic-10 Player of the Year, an All-A-10 First-Team selection, and 2021 A-10 Tournament Team selection.

To get all of those accolades, Hyland averaged a career and A-10 best 19.5 points per game, 4.7 rebounds, 2.1 assists, 1.9 steals, and 0.3 blocks. And he shot 44.7 percent from the field, 37.1 percent from beyond the arc, and 86.2 percent from the free-throw line.

Hyland led the A-10 in points per game, total points scored, total three-pointers made, total field goals made, and total win shares (3.8), last season. His career box plus/minus rating of 7.1 is good for top 10 in A-10 history (as long as the stat was recorded at the collegiate level).

It is also worth noting that Hyland ranked in the top 20 in Division I during the 2019-20 season in three-point shooting percentage, at 43.4.

Nah’Shon Hyland’s Strengths

A plethora of strengths that Hyland brings to the table makes him a very appealing prospect that should be impact-ready at the next level. He is one of the most proven shooters among two guards in this draft class. His three-point shooting percentage did take a significant dip last season, but he could be a 37-40 percent shooter from beyond the arc in the NBA.

Hyland was also a rapidly improving shooter from the free-throw line last season. As his role and volume scoring improved season-over-season at VCU, Hyland was able to improve his percentage from the free-throw line by nearly 20 points in the past two seasons. His free-throw attempt rate also nearly tripled last season compared to the year prior.

As someone who has to be considered more than just a volume scorer, Hyland could also be an effective combo guard. He has the length to effectively get to the rim on quick drives. And while his athleticism isn’t elite, it’s good enough for him to get it done in just about any second unit in the NBA.

Hyland has a threatening enough three-point shot that he can also draw out opposing defenders and use his decently quick first step and impressive handles to get to his spots in the lane.

Although he has the size to be a point guard at the next level, the facilitating ability isn’t there yet for Hyland. His handles and ability to run the offense in transition could deceive. He had an assist-to-turnover ratio around 2-3 during his sophomore campaign at VCU. That part of his game could come along with time, though.

Moreover, you can’t go through a list of Hyland’s strengths without mentioning his solid defensive ability. He is a really good on-ball defender that can switch between the one and the two. He averaged nearly two steals per game last season. The 6-foot-10 wingspan that he brings to the table really benefits him in this regard.

Hyland could be a matchup nightmare at the next level for a second or third unit guard if he fulfills his promising potential a few years down the line.

Nah’Shon Hyland’s Weaknesses

Most of the weaknesses concerning Hyland’s games would have to concern his weird positional fit at the next level and somewhat questionable physical tools beyond his wingspan. Hyland is not an elite athlete, and he doesn’t have the best lateral agility in the world either. This is where his length can help him out on defense, though.

Hyland did also get careless with the basketball at times last season with VCU. His court vision is still largely a work in progress. That’s what can lead in to the weird positional fit that he could have at the next level.

In certain offenses, Hyland might not have the height and leaping ability to play as a true two-guard. But he doesn’t have the skill set yet to play as a true one. That should be a fixable problem in most NBA systems, but not all of them.

All in all, the list of strengths is a lot lengthier than the weaknesses for Hyland. This is something that should be very appealing to NBA scouts this offseason.

NBA Comparisons

There are three comparisons that come to mind for Hyland. The first is the San Antonio Spurs young point guard Dejounte Murray, who has a similar set of physical tools and two-way feel for the game as Hyland.

The other two valid comparisons for him lie with the New York Knicks guard Immanuel Quickley and even Tyrese Maxey, who both capable on both ends of the floor, have solid handles, and a capable shooting stroke from downtown.