Cameron Bairstow
PF, 6-9, 250
Senior, 23 years old

Hometown: Brisbane, Australia

Season (33 mpg): 20.4 PPG, 7.4 RPG, 1.5 BPG
56% FG, 8.3 FTA, 74% free-throw
57% EFG, 61% TS

New Mexico head coach Craig Neal: 505-917-3561

Lamont Smith (associate HC): 480-784-7236

Craig Snow (assistant): 505-715-0771

Practice Report: New Mexico Lobos

Tuesday, February 4 | The Pit (Albuquerque, NM)

Cameron Bairstow — PF, 6-9, 250
Senior, 23 years old

Season (32 mpg): 20 PPG, 7 RPG, 1.8 APG

Notes: Coach Neal claims Bairstow is one of the hardest working kids ever to come through UNM. He said that after every home game, Bairstow immediately heads to the weight room for a post-game weightlifting session.

That work ethic has helped Bairstow improve every part of his game since last season, transforming a bevy of “good’ attributes into “near-elite” attributes. Offensively, his comfort zone is the mid- to-low post. He uses his strength to carve out space down low, where he can seal his man deep into the paint. Though not particularly skilled with his back to the basket, Bairstow can finish over either shoulder, and he gets to the line at a solid rate (7.4 fouls drawn per 40 minutes; 24th nationally). He is aggressive in the low post, intentionally trying to draw—and finish through—contact. He compensates for average athleticism with crafty finishes and a “punch first” physicality. Not many back to the basket moves, but his strength and tenacity allow him to set up anywhere he wants.

Bairstow is most dangerous facing up out of the post, where he can put the ball on the floor and attack the basket, as well as knock down a 15-footer. He’s square to the basket on his jump shot, has a high release point and a good follow-through. His form is a little awkward, as his off hand stays completely straight in the air through his shooting motion, but it works for him. Bairstow’s first option is facing up to either shoot from the high post or drive right and attack the basket. He also has pick-and-pop potential from the high post, as his strong frame is a good base for setting screens.

One observation I had today was that Bairstow forced the issue with his right hand. He often drove left only to force a reverse layup with his right hand. No good here.

Defensively, Bairstow is strong to maintain position in the low post, but his average athleticism and average wingspan make it difficult to contest shots.

He’s also slow on his feet in face-up situations, so quicker and more athletic forwards can get by him on the perimeter. This is problematic. Bairstow is strong, but improved foot speed will be the key defensively.

Overall, Bairstow has dominated the opposition this year, and it’s a credit to his work ethic. He can do it all on the college level—make a jump shot, get to the line, drive it right, pass out of traps, score from the low post. He’ll be 23 years old in June—and a part of me wonders if he’s already realized his ceiling—but Bairstow’s physical nature and polished interior skills make him worthy of NBA consideration. He sort of reminds me of Luis Scola.

*If the videos do not appear, please “refresh” the webpage once

New Mexico 66, Wyoming 61 (OT)

February 5, 2014 | The Pit (Albuquerque, NM)

Cameron Bairstow — PF, 6-9, 250
Senior, 23 years old

Season (32 mpg): 20 PPG, 7 RPG, 1.8 APG
56% FG, 62% true shooting percentage

Game: 23 pts, 11 rbs
8-14 FG, 7-11 FT

Outlook: Bairstow was the best player on the court. Using world-class strength, he punished Wyoming’s frontline to the tune of 23 points and 11 rebounds on 57% shooting. He established position in the paint, maintained a high motor, and pounded away until Wyoming eventually gave up.

Offensively, he displayed a soft touch on jump hooks in the paint, made several elbow jumpers, and cleaned up two put-back dunks. He’s also an underrated passer, capable of distributing from the high or low post, or passing out of traps.

Bairstow’s most apparent weakness was the inability to explode off the ground. It often seemed like he exerted all his energy just to elevate; like jumping doesn’t come naturally to him. Larry Nance and Derek Cooke rejected Bairstow with ease. Bairstow compensates with a muscular frame and high motor, but it makes you wonder if this will fly in the NBA.

Defensively, Bairstow maintains position in the low post, but his average athleticism and wingspan make it difficult to contest shots. Additionally, he’s appears to stay upright in his stance, allowing quicker/more athletic forwards to blow by him on the perimeter. This is problematic. He needs to stay upright in his stance to defend out to 18-feet.

Bairstow continues to add skill to his NBA frame, and has been a reliable contributor all season. Going forward, I’d like to see him finish with his left hand more often. During practice Tuesday and the game Wednesday, he clearly favored his right hand. Even if he would drive left, he’d inexplicably force a reverse layup on the right side. Bairstow drives right 58% of the time in isolation situations, and drives left 26% of the time (he rises for a jump shot 16%). He’s not necessarily averse to going left, but he is averse to finishing with his left hand.

Overall, based on the eye test, Bairstow had a strong frame, was capable from mid-range (62% shooting; 1.24 PPP on the year), has a soft touch around the rim and a high motor. Not very explosive or athletic, but he’s capable on both sides of the ball. If nothing else, his professional approach and attitude are a boon to any program. He sort of reminds me of Luis Scola.

Strengths
— Very strong and physical
— Tireless work ethic
— Efficient scorer (56% FG, 62% true shooting percentage)
— Improving mid-range jumper (62% on 29 attempts; 1.2 PPP; pick and pop potential)
— Soft touch to finish around the basket (converting 57% around the basket, 61% post up)
— Uses strength to position for rebounds; natural physicality
— Skilled passer in the post, out of traps
— Proven development

Defects/Areas of Improvement
— Average athlete and wingspan (poor lift? – NBA combine will reveal)
— Slow foot speed (Quick and athletic forwards take him off the bounce)
— Avoids finishing with left hand
— 23 years old (has he peaked?)

Video

Poor Lift?

Not Bad Lift …

Points vs. Wyoming

Offensive Rebounds (recent)

Passing (out of traps, in of the post)

Mid-Range Jump Shots

Slow Feet?

04/17/14

*If the videos do not appear, please “refresh” the webpage once

Overview: Cameron Bairstow was one of the biggest “breakout” players in college basketball this season. As a junior, he was a serviceable rebounder and “glue guy”; but now, he’s developed into one of the most dangerous and efficient power forwards in the country. Nobody in college basketball—including the New Mexico coaching staff—could have predicted this level of improvement this late in his career.

2012-’13 (24 MPG): 9.7 PPG, 5.9 RPG, 0.6 BPG, 45% FG, 54% TS, 74% FT (4.8 attempts)
2013-’14 (33 MPG): 20.4 PPG, 7.4 RPG, 1.5 BPG, 56% FG, 61% TS, 74% FT (8.8 attempts)

Offensively, Bairstow mainly operates from the mid to low post, where he relies on strength, rather than athleticism. He is a “grinder” on the court, going full speed and “punching first” on every possession.

Bairstow can face-up or play with his back to the basket. His shot distribution this season was, 30% jump shots/40% around the basket/26% post ups. He can play in the post, but also has perfected his shooting range out to 17-feet.

In the post, Bairstow uses his strength to carve out space down low, where he can seal his defender into the paint. Though he’s not particularly skilled with his back to the basket, Bairstow has shown the ability finish over either shoulder, and he gets to the foul line at a solid rate (7.5 fouls drawn per 40 minutes; 16th nationally). He’s aggressive in the low post, looking for—and finishing through—contact. Bairstow has a limited back to the basket arsenal, but he can overpower opponents with strength.

Facing up, Bairstow can attack off the dribble, as well as knock down a short/mid-range jump shot.

Short Jumpers (inside 17-feet): 57% of attempts, 42% FG, .84 PPP (67th percentile)

Mid-Range Jumpers (17-feet to inside 3-point line): 42% of attempts, 64% FG, 1.27 PPP (99th percentile)

Bairstow has a short-range jumper inside 12 feet, which is a huge asset considering his short wingspan and athleticism. His short jumper allows him to finish over length. His mid-range shooting makes him a pick-and-pop threat.

All that being said, only 8.5% of Bairstow’s offense this year came in Isolation sets. In other words, Bairstow is a great offensive player, but his contributions come within the framework of the offense. Bairstow is an astute cutter (16% of his offense), finishes put-backs (8.5%, 7.4 RPG), plays the high-low, and runs the floor in transition. He averaged 20 points and 7 rebounds without dominating the ball.

Defensively, Bairstow’s strength allows him to maintain post position and handle NBA strength. When switching onto guards, for the most part he can slide his feet laterally, though not always.

However, Bairstow’s average athleticism and wingspan make it difficult in isolation situations. He often loses balance falling for shot fakes, and frankly struggles to defend facing-up. He doesn’t have the length to play off his man and still contest. Additionally, he appears to stay upright in his defensive stance, allowing quicker/more athletic forwards to blow by him on the perimeter. He has a smaller margin of error due to limited athletic ability, and this could be exposed at the NBA level.

In addition to defensive questions, Bairstow’s most apparent weakness is his inability to explode off the ground. It often seems like he exerts all his energy just to elevate; like jumping doesn’t come naturally for him. When I observed him vs. Wyoming, Larry Nance and Derek Cooke rejected Bairstow with ease. Bairstow compensates with a muscular frame and high motor, but I wonder if strength can compensate for a lack of athleticism in the NBA.

To his credit, Bairstow has shown improved athleticism in fits and starts. But for the most part, he appears to be vertically challenged. He’s been a reliable contributor all season. At 23 years old, though, I wonder how much upside and room for change he has left.

I’d also like to see Bairstow finish with his left hand more consistently. Even if he drives going left, he often forces a reverse layup on the right side. Bairstow drives right 58% of the time in isolation situations, and drives left 41% of the time. This is a relatively even distribution, but on film, he clearly struggles to gather himself when driving left.

Overall, Bairstow has done a tremendous job putting in work at every aspect of his game, and as a result, he can flourish in different spots as the team needs him.

Bairstow is strong and physical, excellent from mid-range, has a soft touch around the lane, and a high motor. He’s not the most athletic player, but he successfully circumvented his limitations in college

If nothing else, his professional approach and attitude are a boon to any program. He’s a pro, whether it’ll be in the NBA or elsewhere. He needs to improve as a rebounder and defender, but his mid-range game, physicality, professional approach, energy, and addiction to improvement are apparent.

Strengths
— Very strong and powerful
— Tireless work ethic
— Efficient scorer (56% FG, 61% true shooting percentage)
— Excellent mid-range jumper (64%, 1.27 PPP)
— Soft touch to finish in and around the lane (converting 60% in the paint, excellent short jumper)
— Positions for rebounds; natural physicality
— Skilled passer in the post, out of traps
— Proven development

Defects/Areas of Improvement
— Average athlete and wingspan (poor lift? NBA combine will reveal)
— Slow foot speed (quick and athletic forwards take him off the bounce)
— Avoids finishing with left hand
— 23 years old (has he peaked?)

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Video Breakdown: Cameron Bairstow

*If the videos do not appear, please “refresh” the webpage once

Offense

— Scores 20 points & 7.5 rebounds without dominating the offense. Needs his touches, but plays within the framework/flow of the offense.

— Excellent mid-range shooter, whether facing-up, or pick-and pop. Can attack off the dribble (one or two dribbles max) to finish in and around the lane.

— Excellent cutter. 16% of offense, 62% FG. Can finish drop-offs, or roam the baseline in a high-low action.

Strength / Natural Physicality

— Converts 60% in the paint. Can bully and outmuscle opponents. This is his “competitive advantage.”

Video: Seal and Finish

Video: Outmuscling Opponents / Natural physicality

Offensive Rebounding

— Not the greatest lift, but strong & relentless on the glass. Average 8.5% ORB%, though.

Shooting

Video: Mid-Range Jumper

— 64% FG, 1.27 PPP (99th percentile)

Video: Short Jumper

— Pump fake and quick 1st step. Has really improved this aspect of his game; showing improved coordination with ability to stop-and-rise.

— 42% FG, .84 PPP (67th percentile)

Video: Pick and Pop

— “Pops” on 74% of pick and rolls. 50% FG

— Can shoot it, or pump fake and drive

Video: Turn-around / Fade-away Jumper

Video: Drive Right

— Bairstow drives right 58% of the time in isolation situations, and drives left 41% of the time. A relatively even distribution, but on film Bairstow clearly struggles to maintain his dribble/gather himself when driving left.

Video: Driving Left

Cutting

Excellent cutter. 16% of attempts, 62% FG. Can finish drop-offs, or roam the baseline in high-low/against the zone.

Video: Basket Cuts

— 25-26 (96%) on the season. Catches and instantly goes up. One fluid motion.

Video: Baseline Cuts

— Roams baseline for high-low action, or fills open holes against a zone.

Athletic Enough? / Explosion?

Video: Poor Lift

— Not the best vertical athlete. Struggles to get off the ground on one foot. Needs to gather himself before jumping.

Video: Explosion!

— Showing ability to drive and dunk through traffic. Explodes off two feet; not so good off one foot.

Passing (out of traps, double teams)

Turnovers

— 12.8% turnover rate. Not good. Gets flustered, loses handle after one or two dribbles.

Drawing Fouls

— 7.5 fouls drawn per 40 minutes ranks 16th nationally.

Video: Overall Fouls

Video: Shooting Post Fouls

Video: Non-Shooting Post Fouls (big and strong, competes for post position and to receive entry pass)

Free Throws

74% FT (8.8 attempts)

Made FTs

Missed FTs

Defense

— Only 6-9, with average length and athleticism. Struggles to defend quicker and more athletic bigs.

— Poor lateral quickness?

— Good closing-out on shooter, but falls for shot fakes and loses balance.

— Bairstow is decent hedging on the pick-and-roll, but he sometimes hesitates, giving the ball handler room to make a move or get a good look at the basket.

“Good”

Video: Maintaining Post Position (Post Defense)