LA Sports Hub
Fansided

Los Angeles Lakers 2018 NBA Draft profile: Donte DiVincenzo

By Jason Reed

SAN ANTONIO, TX - APRIL 02: Donte DiVincenzo #10 of the Villanova Wildcats cuts down the net after defeating the Michigan Wolverines during the 2018 NCAA Men's Final Four National Championship game at the Alamodome on April 2, 2018 in San Antonio, Texas. Villanova defeated Michigan 79-62. (Photo by Tom Pennington/Getty Images)
SAN ANTONIO, TX - APRIL 02: Donte DiVincenzo #10 of the Villanova Wildcats cuts down the net after defeating the Michigan Wolverines during the 2018 NCAA Men's Final Four National Championship game at the Alamodome on April 2, 2018 in San Antonio, Texas. Villanova defeated Michigan 79-62. (Photo by Tom Pennington/Getty Images) /
facebooktwitterreddit

Many know Donte DiVincenzo because of his 31-point performance in the NCAA National Championship game. His name could grow more on the Los Angeles Lakers.

The Los Angeles Lakers have two significant roster needs heading into the 2018 NBA Draft; shooting guard and center. With a ton of center talent stacked atop the draft, shooting guard may become the more likely selection.

Los Angeles has a few different options to select from, one of which being Villanova guard and National Champion Donte DiVincenzo.

DiVincenzo became a household name in basketball homes after dropping 31 points in the National Championship game against Michigan. Divincenzo was named to the All-Tournament team as well as named the Final Four Most Outstanding Player.

More from LA Sports Hub

The junior shooting guard is entering the 2018 NBA Draft at 21 years old. The Los Angeles Lakers have done a great job at selecting more seasoned college prospects in the latter half of the first round to ensure an easy transition to the league. Kyle Kuzma and Josh Hart are the two latest examples.

Thus, DiVincenzo is an intriguing option, due to his experience, alone. However, DiVincenzo also brings a skill set that would fit in perfectly as a role player in Los Angeles.

Most importantly, DiVincenzo has a knack for scoring the basketball. DiVincenzo can create his own shot with his athleticism as well as specialize as a catch and shoot scorer as well as a formidable scorer in transition.

He was a fairly good rebounder and passer for a shooting guard in college. In the NBA he won’t be as efficient, but he should be at least on-par with the average shooting guard in the league. Coming off the bench, DiVincenzo should have his way against smaller opposition.

His six-foot-five frame would give the Lakers a pretty big backcourt alongside Lonzo Ball, should they see minutes together. Ball and DiVincenzo are both sneaky good defenders as well. If the two gel, they could become a hard backcourt to score against.

DiVincenzo does have one glaring weakness, among others; free throw shooting. Despite being a good scorer from around the court, DiVincenzo shot just 70.5 percent from the charity stripe. Down the stretch, this will be taken advantage of by NBA coaches that want to slow his shooting stroke down.

Another thing to note, which should come with time, is DiVincenzo’s habit to pass up on good looks. DiVincenzo is a good passer and sometimes seems to lack confidence and will give the rock up despite having good looks.

That will develop with time as DiVincenzo gains confidence in the league. However, in a Lakers team that is starting to emphasize ball movement more, this is a good problem to have.

Next: How the Lakers can trade up for Luka Doncic

Overall, DiVincenzo is a good combo guard that would help the Lakers with depth at both guard positions. The junior is coming off of a season in which he averaged 13.4 points, 4.8 rebounds and 3.5 assists and deserves a look from the Los Angeles Lakers.

All statistics courtesy of Sports-Reference. 

Home/Los Angeles Lakers