Duke basketball 2014-15 player preview: Justise Winslow

Leading up to Duke basketball’s first game of the season Nov. 14 against Presbyterian, The Blue Zone will preview an expected contributor on this 2014-2015 squad each day, continuing today with small forward Justise Winslow.

Justise Winslow

• Year: Freshman
• Height: 6-foot-6
• Position: Small forward

Game Breakdown: At 6-foot-6 and 225 pounds, Winslow is that rare breed of player that can do it all on the basketball court. The Houston native's athleticism and physicality allow him to hold his own against bigger players and finish in the paint, but his agility and ball-handling allow him to be just as proficient on the perimeter knocking down shots and making plays for his teamates. Although the consensus top-15 recruit is able to make plays all over the floor, he stands out most because of his tenacity. Winslow is not one to shy away from contact on either end of the court, one of the main reasons he has a chance to be an elite player as a true freshman at the collegiate level.

The three-time gold medalist for Team USA is also known for his stout defense, and was the top-rated defensive player in his recruiting class by ESPN Insider. Winslow’s rare combination of size and speed allows him to defend anyone, from lightning-quick guards to intimidating post presences. The only weak part of his game at this point is his mid-range game, which is one of the things Winslow is hoping to improve in his time in Durham. If the lefty consistently knocks down shots from beyond the arc and develops a strong mid-range jump shot off one or two dribbles, he will be almost impossible to defend with his craftiness getting into the paint.

Role on the Team: Winslow will almost certainly be one of three freshmen starting for the Blue Devils this season, along with Tyus Jones and Jahlil Okafor, and will play big-time minutes on the wing with his unique skills. Duke is trying to improve its 104th-ranked defense that allowed 67.4 points per game last year by being more aggressive and trapping, and Winslow is the athlete on the wing necessary to make Blue Devil traps, presses and weak-side recoveries effective.

Offensively, like his teammates, Winslow will be expected to play off Okafor by cutting to the hoop at opportune times and knocking down open 3-pointers. In transition, point guards Tyus Jones and Quinn Cook will likely try to find Winslow filling in lanes on the wing to use his impressive finishing abillity.

NBA Comparison: WInslow's game is like that of Bulls wing Jimmy Butler, who at 6-foot-7 and 220 pounds has established himself as an elite defender and up-and-coming star in the league. Like Winslow, Butler knocks down the occasional perimeter shot and can do it all on the court, but both players are still working to improve their shooting percentage from beyond the arc and on mid-range shots. In addition, Butler's athleticism and long arms make him capable of producing highlights like this one in the open court, something fans can look forward to also seeing from Winslow this season.

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