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3 NBA Draft Prospects for the Memphis Grizzlies Entering February

By Ed Memphis

PITTSBURGH, PA -JANUARY 05: North Carolina Tar Heels forward Nassir Little (5) is guarded by Pittsburgh Panthers guard Au'Diese Toney (5) during the college basketball game between the North Carolina Tar Heels and the Pittsburgh Panthers on January 05, 2019 at the Petersen Events Center in Pittsburgh, PA. (Photo by Mark Alberti/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)
PITTSBURGH, PA -JANUARY 05: North Carolina Tar Heels forward Nassir Little (5) is guarded by Pittsburgh Panthers guard Au'Diese Toney (5) during the college basketball game between the North Carolina Tar Heels and the Pittsburgh Panthers on January 05, 2019 at the Petersen Events Center in Pittsburgh, PA. (Photo by Mark Alberti/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images) /
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Memphis Grizzlies NBA Draft
Memphis Grizzlies NBA Draft prospect Romeo Langford of Indiana (Photo by Patrick Gorski/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images) /

A Great Consolation

The second NBA Draft prospect falls under the great consolation, but make no mistake, despite the hype around the Duke “Big Three” and Murray State’s Ja Morant, Romeo Langford of Indiana University is a 6’6,” 202-pound 19-year-old combo guard that sports a 6’11” wingspan.

Langford has ball-handling and moves that will make Kyrie Irving himself nervous. This kid is past making defenders dance, and his handle makes defenders irk and jerk as he twerks the ball to the basket.

Already mentally poised despite so much hype, plus being unselfish to a fault at times, Romeo’s floor may be Caris LeVert without the injuries, or even Jamal Crawford, which speaks volumes to Romeo Langford’s potential.

Romeo is currently averaging 17 points, five rebounds, and two assists per game, and gives Tracy McGrady vibes, meaning very smooth and chill to the point of being a difficult read. He may be deadly with the ball, even in the clutch as he proved against Illinois and Maryland this season.

His five rebounds per game is very impressive for a guard of his size, age, and style of play. If nothing else, he is a playmaker. Romeo Langford is also willing to go consecutive possesions without touching the ball, which speaks to his team player character, but it can also imply he is too passive at times.

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A player with Langford’s poise, unselfishness, and talent should be a bloodhound for the ball a la Dillon Brooks while at Oregon. Romeo also has work to do on his long-range shot, which seems to be flat to the point of having a slight hitch. His jumper as is does not expect to translate well in the NBA, nor does his offensive rating box +/-, assists nor steals.

Needless to say, he currently struggles with efficiency, shooting just 21% from downtown despite shooting a respectable 47% from the field and having all of the goods to dominate. With Romeo, I would bet on his path to stardom hinging solely on his ability to master understanding of the game and getting better at making others around him better. That may be the lone spot between Romeo Langford and a superstar professional career.

Romeo is truly a franchise talent, who can serve as the ultimate playmaker and shot creator for himself as well as others. Langford has the ability to thrive at either guard spot, and even small forward if he puts on the necessary weight. He already shows enough toughness for the wing in averaging five boards as a freshman.

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