Jaren Sina

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Seton Hall 71, New Jersey Institute of Technology 55

Tuesday, December 10, 2013 | Prudential Center (Newark, NJ)

Jaren Sina — SG, 6-2, 180
Freshman, 20 years old

Season (23.9 mpg): 6.8 PPG, 1.2 RPG, 2.3 APG

Game: 17 points, 4 assists 3-4 three-pointers

*Committed to Alabama as a sophomore. Then committed to Northwestern, but was released from his letter of intent in March 2013 and eventually landed at Seton Hall.

Outlook: Throughout the majority of his high school career, Sina was widely considered a top-60 recruit. I was never sold, though. In fact, I was always perplexed by his high ranking. I don’t mean to be disrespectful, but after watching him countless times in high school, I think he’s very limited on the court. In fact, with Isaiah Whitehead and Khadeen Carrington coming to Seton Hall next season, I wouldn’t be surprised if Sina transferred.

The reason Sina ranks ahead of Eugene Teague and Brandon Mobley in this evaluation is simply because of his age.

The Good: Sina is a reliable three-point shooter.

The Bad: Below average size and athleticism; turns back against pressure; too passive (borderline timid); a liability on defense.

STRENGTHS

Shooting

Sina can shoot the basketball very well. 1.2 three-pointers per game, 39% from behind the arc. Shooting 42% on all jump shots this season, where 76% of his shot attempts have come from.

Smooth and consistent rhythm, with an impressive catch-and-shoot game. He’s emerging as Seton Hall’s best perimeter shooter (aside from Edwin), a role he could eventually excel in. He also has good pacing and ball control against more athletic defenders.

NEEDS TO IMPROVE

Driving Struggles

Of Sina’s 51 field goal attempts this season, only seven have been around the basket. This is to say: Sina clearly struggles to drive the basketball right now. He almost always kicks out to teammates when he drives, never looking to score. His lack of athleticism and quickness limit him in this regard.

In order to become a well-rounded player, Sina’s main focus should be improving his ball handling and confidence/conviction driving the ball. This was the case in high school as well.

Defensive Struggles

Isolation Defense

Sina struggles to stay upright, often “bouncing around” on his feet rather than getting in a low stance. Opposing players are shooting 44% on jump shots against Sina, and his 1.23 points allowed per jump shot ranks in the bottom 15th percentile nationally.

Pick-and-Roll Defense

Sina also struggles to stay with his man in pick-and-roll situations. He’s an automatic switch on every pick-and-roll. This is concerning.

Overall: Sina’s struggles could be attributed to “being a freshman,” but I think his weaknesses are part of his natural makeup. Good shooter, but struggles in several other aspects on both sides of the ball.