Admiral Schofield | Sr. | SF/PF | Tennessee
While much of the attention for Tennessee's 12-1 start has rightfully gone to
Grant Williams, Schofield is also having a notable season. After starting his college career shooting 30 percent from beyond the arc as a freshman, the 6-6, 241-pound forward has turned himself into a 47 percent marksman as a senior, making big shot after big shot all season long -- many of them coming from NBA range and even off the dribble. He has sped up his release and flashed some ability to shoot off movement. He's making tough spot-ups with a hand in his face thanks to his high release and is demonstrating extreme confidence.
Schofield sees almost all of his minutes at small forward, which might not always be the case in the NBA, where his mammoth frame could serve him well as a small-ball power forward, and his weaknesses may be better hidden. He's a little undersized and not the most fluid or natural athlete, but his physicality, aggressiveness and competitiveness will serve him well. He plays the game with a real edge that is tough not to admire. That same toughness translates to the defensive end, where he plays with a terrific motor and uses his strength and length to slide on the perimeter. He has plenty of multipositional versatility.
Some scouts question how much Schofield's clunky, power-ball style and average feel will hold up and whether he might become a one-dimensional player at the NBA level given his poor rebounding, steal and block numbers and paltry free throw attempts. He has been able to keep those notions at bay to an extent with some extremely memorable performances against top-10 teams in Kansas and Gonzaga, which will likely stick with NBA folks considering how well-attended those games were. He'll have plenty more opportunities to continue to improve his stock playing for one of the best teams in college basketball.
Turning 22 in March, Schofield has some limitations and might not have the same upside as the younger and flashier wings in this class, but he looks ready to step in and contribute from day one. His work ethic, toughness and winning pedigree will surely bode well, giving him a chance to hear his name called in the first round.
