NBA Draft Scouting Report: Furman’s Jalen Slawson

Prospect Profile 

With five college seasons under his belt, Slawson will be 24 most of the upcoming season at the next level. A player that has improved tremendously with each season in college, his production and level of skill has come a long way.

At 6-foot-7, he’s a great positional passer. In fact, he acted as an offensive hub to a degree at Furman where he demanded gravity due to his scoring upside which allowed him to find cutters and open teammates on the perimeter.

Although still on relatively low volume, Slawson has come around as a 3-point shooter. He still needs to develop a quicker, more consistent release, but he’s at least emerged as a quality perimeter threat. Even then, he’s best as a driver that finishes very well at the rim. Slawson has also gotten better at drawing contact and getting to the free throw line.

As a driver, he’s more powerful than quick, and isn’t necessarily the best self-creator. He’s able to bully defenders to get the rack, although that will be more difficult to do at the next level.

Defensively, Slawson will be best suited guarding forwards in the NBA early on. He can also take on certain wings and centers, although he is undersized for a big and lacks elite lateral quickness on the perimeter. Either way he’s disruptive, notching three stocks per game as a fifth year senior. Slawson is also a good rebounder which should translate moving forward.

At the NBA level, it will be interesting to see if Slawson can function as this undersized forward or if he’ll need to improve his perimeter skills. The size, strength and athleticism he’s set to face from here will be much greater than what he went up against in college. He will likely need to improve his perimeter skills so that he’s more effective as a combo forward at 6-foot-7.

Unlocking that ability could come down to decision making, which is something Slawson struggled with at times. As good of a passer as he is, the 23-year-old sometimes tries doing too much and turns it over. His handle also needs to improve if he’s going to have the versatility to play on the wing in the NBA.

Basketball is in Slawson’s genes, as his dad played at The Citadel and his cousin, RJ Slawson, played at South Carolina.

Highlights

Draft Projection 

Potential Second-Round Pick in 2023 NBA Draft.

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