Tyler Harvey: A First Round Talent

Stephen Curry is dominating the NBA, making three after three, using his exceptional ball skills to create space to get his preferred shot off. Oh and he has a hilarious rapping and dancing daughter, which is pretty cool too. It seems like only yesterday that Curry was dropping on draft boards for his size, lack of defensive skill, and his relatively unknown college team.  

Let me quickly introduce you to Tyler Harvey.

Tyler Harvey was the NCAA’s leading scorer in 2014-15. He scored 23.1 points per game while shooting 43% from 3-point range, his third straight season shooting above 40%.  Many of his 128 3-point makes in ‘14-15 came from beyond the NBA 3-point line, including 6 in his second round appearance in the March Madness tournament against Georgetown.

Ever heard of him? Probably not.

Harvey attended Eastern Washington University, which has produced one NBA player in its history. Harvey led the EWU Swoops to a 26-9 regular season (the best regular season Big Sky team). He was the core of the 3^rd best offense in the NCAA, and the winner of the Big Sky Tournament Championship.

Wait a minute, you mentioned Steph Curry before. What was that all about?

In a world of gross exaggerations and dramatizing in the sports world… TYLER HARVEY IS THE NEXT STEPHEN CURRY.

Okay, maybe not. He is a talented shooter who evokes Steph Curry like comparisons and criticisms. Both were unimpressive collegiate defenders. Both are undersized for the 2 guard (Harvey is 6’4) and taller than most PG’s. Harvey is lower on most draft boards than Curry was when he entered the draft, but he could rocket up if his individual workouts impress NBA scouts and coaches. Both had the major upside of terrific jump shooting. Both were exceptional playmakers off the dribble.

This is important because the NBA has become a jump-shooting league. Sorry old-fashioned basketball lovers, it’s true. Floor spacing is becoming the most important aspect of the game of basketball, causing defensive headaches all game (just ask the Cavaliers). Steph Curry, the MVP of the league, is also the best 3-point shooter in the NBA. Teams like the Warriors, Cavs, and Hawks are successful because they have a plethora of players who can get free and knock-down shots at some of the best rates in the NBA. The 3-pointer is the key to success in the NBA. Harvey exerted his dominance in college at shooting 3’s and will do the same at the NBA level.

So somebody explain to me why is ball-handling, offensive creating and elite shooter Tyler Harvey predicted to go somewhere in the SECOND ROUND or maybe to go UNDRAFTED?!

Although he may not be ready to be selected in the lottery, Harvey, with his elite shooting ability and talent for shot creation, deserves to be drafted in the first round. The NBA is evolving and ball-handling knockdown shooters like Harvey are going to be at the forefront of this change.