Ryan Boatright

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Connecticut 80, Yale 62

Monday, November 11, 2013 | XL Center (Hartford, CT)

Ryan Boatright

Junior | G, 6-0, 170

Boatright fed off Napier’s energy and facilitating, posting a 14 point/3 steal/2 assist game, including a perfect 6-6 from the free throw line and 2-2 from behind the arc. Boatright has one of the quickest crossovers in the country, and a terrific floater. He is very small at 5-11, but he can make plays at the rim and is a dynamic scorer for this UConn team. If he can continue to play within himself—and within the constraints of the UConn offense—Boatright should have a major impact all season and could breakthrough at some point.

Connecticut 82, Eastern Washington 65

Saturday, December 28, 2013 | Webster Bank Arena (Bridgeport, CT)

Ryan Boatright — PG, 6-0, 170
Junior, 21 years old

Season (30 mpg): 12.1 PPG, 3.8 RPG, 3.5 APG

Game: 14 points, 3 rebounds, 2 assists

Outlook: Boatright is a lead guard who can play on- and-off the ball in college. He has a scorer’s mentality despite his small frame. His crossover dribble—along with deceptive athleticism—is his best skill, and it’s what keeps bigger defenders on their toes. He gets into the lane and finishes despite his size. He’s also improved his 3-point shooting, though not with consistency.

All things considered, scoring is not an issue with Boatright — but strength and size are. At 6-feet, can he play point guard in the NBA? He’s relieved Shabazz Napier in “running the team” duties this season, but only periodically. Also, Boatright often seems like he’s “looking out for himself,” but that won’t fly in the NBA.

Maybe he can be a spark-plug reserve in the NBA—similar to, say, JJ Barea—but I’m not sure. If he can finish around the basket with more consistency, Boatright will make a case as a spark-plug scorer who can distribute the basketball when needed.

STRENGTHS

Scoring (Shooting, Driving, Finishing in Transition … well-rounded)

Video: Scoring

Boatright is quick and shifty around the basket, and can contort his body to convert difficult layups and runners (1.23 points per possession on runners ranks in the top 3% nationally). As mentioned, his perimeter shooting has also improved this season. A killer crossover helps in both driving and shooting the basketball.

Video: Recent scoring

Video: Spot-up Scoring

Video: Isolation Scoring

Video: Transition Scoring

Boatright is good, but not great, finishing in transition. He’s inconsistent, in the sense that his makes and misses consist of the same shot attempts. Like, sometimes he converts difficult layups in the open court, but other times he’ll miss those same shots. Thus, he’s shooting 51% in transition, and posting an average 1.2 points per transition attempt.

NEEDS TO IMPROVE

Pick-and-Roll Passing

30% of Boatright’s offense comes out of the pick-and-roll.

He doesn’t set up teammates for open looks, as nearly 85% of his pick-and-roll passes are to spot-up shooters, which in reality means a simple pass to the wing. Boatright posts a 24.6% assist rate, compared to Shabazz Napier’s 33.6 rate. This is partially because Napier is UConn’s primary ball handler, but it doesn’t absolve Boatright. He needs to get into the paint and create for the screener/big man, to show he’s more than a scorer.

Video: Pick-and-Roll Passing (every P-n-R pass he’s thrown this season)

Containing Penetration

Boatright clearly has trouble containing penetration. He struggles to maintain balance, getting beat off the dribble, in addition to looking out of position off the ball. Opponents are only shooting 42% against Boatright “around the basket,” but on film it’s clear Boatright gets beat, regardless of whether or not the offensive player converts the basket.

Video: Containing Penetration

Connecticut 69, Rutgers 63

Wednesday, March 5, 2014 | Gampel Pavilion (Storrs, CT)

#11 Ryan Boatright — PG, 6-0, 170
Junior, 21 years old

Season (31.6): 12.4 PPG, 3.4 RPG, 3.5 APG, 1.7 SPG
39% FG, 39% three-point (3 attempts)

Game (20 min): 6 PTS, 4 AST, 3 RBS, 2 TO

Outlook:

— Boatright is a lead guard who can play on- and-off the ball. Very quick handle and first step, with the ability to penetrate against any defender on the college level.

— Very small and skinny. Stands out.

— Scorer’s mentality despite his small frame. Crossover dribble and elite athleticism help him most. Keeps bigger defenders on their toes with quickness. He gets into the lane and finishes despite his size.

— Lack of strength and size are biggest question marks. At 6-feet, can he play point guard in the NBA? Can he run a team at 6-foot? Also, he often seems like he’s “looking out for himself,” but that won’t fly in the NBA.

— Inconsistent jump shot. Should develop “floater” to score at the basket. Good mid-range game, but needs a floater at his size.

— Needs to add muscle to compete defensively.

— Should stay for his senior season, to show he can distribute the basketball. Will have a bigger role with Napier gone next season. Would like to see him play more point guard.

Video:

vs. Rutgers (2 videos)

Defense vs. Rutgers