Fuquan Edwin

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Coaches vs. Cancer Classic (2 Games)

November 22-23 | Barclays Center (Brooklyn, NY)

Fuquan Edwin — Senior, 22 years old
SG/SF, 6-6, 215

Season: 15.2 PPG, 2.7 RPG, 2.7 SPG

Outlook: Edwin struggles creating off the dribble, but he has NBA potential as a role-playing shooter who can defend. He’s a terrific catch and shoot threat who doesn’t need the ball to be effective.

Edwin will have to iron out some kinks—specifically, handling the ball against NBA pressure—but his size, catch and shoot ability, and length as a defender give him upside as a second round draft pick.

STRENGTHS

Deflections/Steals in Passing Lane

Edwin has excellent length and defensive instincts to accumulate deflections and steals. He has the potential to be a very good on-ball defender. His 5% steal percentage (percentage of possessions Edwin records a steal while he is on the floor) ranks 47th nationally. His size and length are apparent on film.

Shooting Range

53% of Edwin’s shots last season were jump shots. He shot 39% on all jump shots, 41% on 3-pointers, and his 1.1 points per jump shot attempt ranked in the 85th percentile nationally. His shooting has regressed this season (35%), but the range is still there.

Scoring Off Screens

Edwin is terrific running off screens to free himself for an open jump shot. Quick release—albeit an unconventional form—in which he brings the ball over his head without follow through. Edwin shot a terrific 42% coming off screens last season.

To elevate this aspect of his game, though, he’ll need to tighten his handle so he can attack the rim when receiving the ball coming off the screen.

OVERALL

You can’t teach 6-6 with a big frame and knock-down shooting. There’s usually room for “specialists” in the NBA, and if Edwin can perfect his shooting skill, he has a chance to stick in the League.

Butler 64, Seton Hall 57

January 29, 2014 | Prudential Center (Newark, NJ)

Fuquan Edwin — SG/SF, 6-6, 215
Senior, 22 years old

Season (29 mpg): 14.3 PPG, 3.5 RPG, 3 SPG
39% three-point, 6.4% steal percentage (2nd nationally)

Game: 20 points, 3 rebounds, 6 steals

4-7 three-point

Strengths

— Shooting (catch and shoot, off screens, off the dribble)
— Size for position (6-6)
— On-ball defense/forcing steals

Areas of improvement

— Embracing contact
— Maintaining control of ball through the lane
— Finishing at rim
— Rebounding

Outlook: Edwin’s strengths and areas of upside were transparent in this game. He showcased terrific catch-and-shoot ability in the first half, scoring 15 points on 6-8 shooting. At 6-6, he can get his shot off—and have a clear view—against any defender.

Edwin showcased at least three “NBA moves” off the dribble, something I didn’t see at Coaches vs. Cancer earlier this season. He converted an NBA-caliber step-back jumper on one possession, and pulled-up on another. Per Synergy, Edwin is converting 43% of his jump shots, including 48% off the dribble. He’s constantly in motion off the ball, running off screens and freeing himself up for open looks. Edwin has a fluid shooting motion, which should translate to the NBA.

Edwin is an average finisher around the basket. He hasn’t shown much when I’ve observed him live, but based on the film, it seems like Edwin struggles to maintain control through contact. The synergy between his athleticism and touch are often, well, not in synergy — it’s almost as if his body is one step ahead of his mind, and thus he loses control. He also opts for “floaters” and layups when, at 6-6, he should take it strong to the hoop. His current shot attempt distribution is 60% jump shots, 16% around the basket and 20% runner, while only getting to the free throw line 2.7 times per game. Too many runners, not enough attacking the basket.

Defensively, Edwin is a promising on-ball defender, with great length and anticipation skills. He’s holding opponents to 34% shooting in spot-up situations, and 27% in isolation. Good anticipation skills to go along with extraordinary length. Another skill that could translate to the NBA.

Overall, a great shooter and on-ball defender, but Edwin needs to improve his in-between game and finishing at the rim. He’s young at 22 years old, and with a 6-6 frame and shooting touch, Edwin has a possible future as role-playing shooting guard in the NBA.

Scoring (recent)

Off Screens

Isolation Defense

Seton Hall 82, Georgetown 67

Thursday, February 20, 2014 | Prudential Center (Newark, NJ)

Fuquan Edwin — SG/SF, 6-6, 215
Senior, 22 years old

Game: 21 points, 5 rebounds, 2 steals

9-13 FG, 3-6 three-point

— 5.8% steal percentage (3rd nationally)

Outlook: Edwin’s strengths and weaknesses were (again) consistent with his earlier performances this season. He converted three 3-pointers in the first half, using a 6-6 frame and long wingspan to get clear looks. Edwin received the ball off screens, and regardless if he had separation from the defender, he enjoyed the advantage of elevating for an open look. Edwin moves well off the ball—constantly running off screens, cutting hard, and setting his feet for a catch and shoot attempt. He also runs the floor quickly in transition.

On the surface, Edwin has potential as a role-playing shooter and defender in the NBA. He has an awkward release on his shot (pictured), flinging the ball above his head and kicking his right leg on the release. But the rhythm seems to work for him. Edwin isn’t an excellent shooter—he’s converting 40% of his jumpers and 36% of his 3′s—but he’s a shooter by nature, and is an efficient scorer overall.

All that said, Edwin will have to do more than just catch and shoot if he wants to sustain a career at the next level. Offensively, he needs to tighten his handle to create his own shot. He also needs to attack the basket more consistently. A 6-6 SG should be attempting more than 15% of his shots around the basket. When he gets into the paint, Edwin needs to finish through contact. He’s attempting more “runners” (17.6%) than shots around the basket (14.5%), which, frankly, is unacceptable. There’s no reason he should be settling for floaters at his size. Edwin’s size also gives him an edge on the boards, where pursues balls but isn’t as tenacious as you’d like.

Edwin has terrific anticipation skills on defense, using his length to accumulate 3 steals per game, and several more deflections. While his length will be negated to some degree at the next level, he should still be able to hold his own. He clogs passing lanes, and is a constant irritant. Special length for a wing player.

Edwin is Seton Hall’s focal point, as his 27% usage rating ranks 5th in the Big East. With less attention at the next level, Edwin will presumably get more one-on-one shots.

Going forward, he can further distinguish himself by attacking the basket instead of opting for mid-range jumpers and floaters.

Overall, I’m comfortable saying Edwin’s size, shooting, and two-way contributions warrant legitimate NBA consideration.

Strengths

— Great size and wingspan for position (6-6)
— Has potential to be a role-playing shooter; gets clear looks
— 63% of attempts are jumpers; shooting 40%
— Capable from 3 (36% on 4.5 attempts)
— Effective running off screens to catch and shoot/create misdirection
— Converting 60% in transition; good athlete
— 3 steals per game; 5.8% steal percentage ranks 3rd nationally
— Long arms and quick feet give him terrific potential as defender

Defects/Areas of Improvement

— Unconventional shooting mechanics (almost like he’s flinging the ball; kicks leg forward on release)
— Shies away from contact (2.5 free-throws is unacceptable for a 6-6 SG)
— Too many runners (17.6%); needs to attack basket
— Loses control driving the lane (1.9 TO, only 1.7 APG)
— Needs to round out game

Video

Video: 21 points vs. Georgetown

Video: Misses vs. Georgetown (9-13 FG)

Video: Length (contesting perimeter shots)

Big East Tournament Semifinals

March 14, 2014 | Madison Square Garden (New York, NY)

Providence, Seton Hall, Creighton, Xavier

Game 1:Providence 80, Seton Hall 74
Game 2: Creighton 86, Xavier 78

Fuquan Edwin — SG/SF, 6-6, 215
Senior, 22 years old

Season (30 mpg): 14.5 PPG, 3.5 RPG, 1.7 APG, 2.7 SPG
44% FG, 33% three-point (4.7 attempts)
2.3 FTA

Game (39 min): 20 PTS, 1 REB, 1 AST, 1 STL
8-18 FG, 2-6 three-point

Outlook: Edwin again flashed potential as a “3 and D” swingman. He crisply moved without the ball, creating misdirection along the baseline and curling around screens for catch-and-shoot opportunities. On defense, his long wingspan was a factor in the passing lanes.

He doesn’t have a great handle, and he was inefficient overall (8-18 shooting), but he’s transparent as an NBA prospect. In the right system, he has good potential as a role-playing shooter.

But I have concerns. Questionable motor; he doesn’t always run hard, and has lapses defensively. He’s also not a great passer or playmaker, and doesn’t go up strong at the rim. He goes up for layups almost 100 % of the time, when he should be dunking over big men.

He can shoot and accumulate steals. But there are some frustrating holes in his game, and considering he’s 22 years old, I wonder if he’s capable of refining his game. If he can simply focus in better and become more consistent, his length, 3-point shooting and defense certainly give him a chance at the next level.

Video

20 points vs. Providence

Misses vs. Providence (8-18)

*For Fuquan Edwin, I thought a customary video breakdown would be redundant, simply because I covered him for five games this season. Therefore, below is a brief overview and some basic video. Please refer to this tab as well as previous game reports for a complete breakdown.

Overview: A 6-6 swingman with lengthy arms and a slender frame, Edwin’s NBA value is clear: a role-playing shooter who can defend. He struggles to create off the dribble for himself (i.e. attacking the lane), but Edwin simply uses his 6-6 size to see over the defense and fire away.

Edwin can run off screens, catch-and-shoot, or even take one-dribble and pull-up. He’s constantly in motion off the ball, creating misdirection off screens and freeing himself up for open looks. Edwin has a fluid shooting motion, which should immediately translate to the NBA. Defensively, he averaged 2.7 steals per game, and his 5.3% steal percentage ranked 3rd nationally. His length and desire to defend make him a menace on the ball or in the passing lanes.

That being said, Edwin must improve in a few key areas to warrant a roster spot in the NBA. Firstly, he must show consistency on his 3-point jumper; on the same number of attempts, Edwin’s 3-point percentage regressed from 41% as a junior to 33% as a senior. If he can’t consistently make 3-pointers, then his value decreases exponentially. He must perfect his shooting to become a “specialist” and thus give the coach a reason to play him.

Secondly, he must do a better job embracing contact, and maintaing control of the ball through the lane. Only 15% of his attempts last season were around the basket, compared to 61% jump shots and a way-too-high 18% on runners.

He struggles to maintain control of the ball through contact, and thus is an average finisher around the basket. As I wrote earlier this season: “His athleticism and touch are out of sync — it’s almost as if his body is one step ahead of his mind, and thus he loses control. He also opts for “floaters” and layups when, at 6-6, he should take it strong to the hoop. His current shot attempt distribution is 60% jump shots, 16% around the basket and 20% runner, while only getting to the free throw line 2.7 times per game. Too many runners, not enough attacking the basket.”

He can defend, but he doesn’t have a great handle, is inconsistent from 3, and needs to learn how to embrace contact. The 6-6 size, length and defensive ability are appealing, but his shooting needs to tighten up, and his complimentary skills must improve.

Shooting Off Screens

3-Point Shooting

Finishing Struggles