Tag: Michael VandeGarde

Rutgers basketball: NBA scout weighs in on Ron Harper Jr.’s NBA draft outlook

Former Rutgers basketball star Ron Harper Jr. gets assessed by a former NBA scout.

Ron Harper Sr. declared officially for the NBA draft, the Rutgers star signing with an agent and closing out the chapter on his collegiate career.

A career that will go down among the best in Rutgers basketball history.

Harper was not only the team’s leading scorer, but he was also a quintessential leader who kept his cool in big moments throughout the season.

As for his NBA outlook, it appears that Harper has the makings of a draft pick. Just where he lands in the NBA draft depends on his performance at this week’s NBA combine as well as his individual workouts.

He is a solid shooter and a very good defender. Last month, RutgersWire asked Michaek VandeGarde his thoughts on Harper.

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An NBA scout with the Philadelphia 76ers for nearly two decades, VandeGarde sees some potential for the former Rutgers basketball standout.

“He has some upside if he gets in better shape or proves he can be an above average shooter,” VandeGarde said. “His pedigree makes me think he will work hard and improve his game…he is a senior already so that limits his upside compared to most draft picks…Someone could draft him mid to late second round but I think that is 50/50.”

VandeGarde spent 18 years with the 76ers organization as a scout. Currently, he is involved with CoachTube, a digital platform that offers sports coaching courses including former NFL head coaches, college basketball coaches and a variety of other notable sports personalities.

 

Now, as for VandeGarde’s assessment of Harper, it is certainly reflective of the overall thought process as reflected in many mock drafts.

Last season, Harper averaged 15.8 points and 5.9 rebounds in leading Rutgers to consecutive NCAA Tournament appearances since 1976. In his final game for Rutgers, an NCAA Tournament loss to Notre Dame, he scored 22 points and shot 57.1 percent from 3-point range.

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VandeGarde also mentioned Harper’s ‘pedigree.’

That pedigree is, of course, from his father, Ron Harper Sr. The elder Harper was a very, very good NBA player who won five NBA titles during his career.

It appears that twice, the apple doesn’t fall far from the tree…Dylan Harper, the younger brother of the Rutgers standout forward, is a four-star prospect at Don Bosco Prep (Ramsey, N.J.).

The sophomore is emerging as one of the top players in the state and holds an early offer from Rutgers in addition to several other Big Ten programs.

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Former NBA scout analyzes Rutgers basketball verbal Antwone Woolfolk

Antwone Woolfolk has lots of potential and a former NBA scout thinks Rutgers got a nice piece this week.

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Rutgers basketball landed a big man on Monday night with the addition of Antwone Woolfolk. He is now the third member of the Scarlet Knights 2022 recruiting class.

Originally a tight end prospect in football, Woolfolk is now choosing to focus on the hardcourt. The 6-foot-7 senior is raw but oozing with potential.

Former NBA scout Michael VandeGarde, who spent 18 years with the Philadelphia 76ers organization, sees plenty of promise in Woolfolk’s emerging game. He was asked to evaluate the limited tape on the verbal commit.

“He is a project ‘Big’ that is more center than power forward,” VandeGarde told ‘Rutgers Wire.’

“A hard-nosed player that can handle the physical nature of the game and should be able to play good team defense.  His skill set is better than most guys with his size and strength.”

There are areas for improvement, of course, as Woolfolk had been considered a football athlete up until a couple of months ago when he began to consider basketball as a true option at the college level. VandeGarde notes that Woolfolk’s “Shooting and face-up game, rim protection, conditioning, elite quick-twitch explosion” all need to continue to be developed.

He is certainly a bit of a prospect but can and should be able to help head coach Steve Piekiell develop front-court depth.

“He projects as a four-year player that should be able to contribute quickly because of his strength and size,” VandeGarde said.  “He has good upside because he has not concentrated on one sport in high school and could makes big strides quickly.  His skill set, which is good, could really improve in the coming years.”

He likens Woolfolk to former Michigan State power forward Nick Ward, a former All-Big Ten honorable mention currently playing in Europe.

VandeGarde is currently involved in consulting with several NBA teams. He also is passionately involved with CoachTube. An online training tool that gives athletes access to instruction, knowledge, and sports coaching videos, CoachTube provides access to on-demand online training from the world’s best coaches and players.