Take of the week: Wendell Carter Jr., not Marvin Bagley III, is Duke’s most NBA-ready prospect

Carter has better pro potential than Bagley, our Derek Saul argues.
Carter has better pro potential than Bagley, our Derek Saul argues.

Every week, the Blue Zone will make a take on Duke basketball—whether that take may be hot, cold or lukewarm. This week's take is in from Chronicle staff writer Derek Saul: 

The Take: Wendell Carter Jr. is Duke’s most NBA-ready prospect 

In any other season, Duke freshman Wendell Carter Jr. would be the talk of the town. However, head coach Mike Krzyzewski has perhaps the only other freshman big man in the country who could overshadow the Atlanta native: Marvin Bagley III.

The Blue Devils’ frontcourt duo of Bagley and Carter rates out as one of the most formidable units in the country, with Bagley averaging over a double-double and Carter close to one. Additionally, Bagley has been consistently been placed among the top three potential prospects for the 2018 NBA Draft.

Admittedly, the hype surrounding the 6-foot-11 Sierra Canyon School product is well-deserved, but perhaps there needs to be a greater emphasis on the pro potential of Carter. The “other” Duke forward, who comes in just a bit shorter than Bagley at 6-foot-10, fits incredibly well into today’s style of play in the NBA. 

The diverse aspects of Carter's game make him a particularly intriguing prospect—he is an astounding rim protector and defender, can run the court well and is a ferocious rebounder. Offensively, he is just unfair: Carter  can shake and bake in the post, throw down ferocious dunks, and knock down shots from beyond the arc—he has shot 48.0 percent from long range this season. Bagley has been nowhere near the deep threat that Carter has been. 

Although the difference is slim, Carter bests Bagley in both offensive and defensive rating, which are measures of how many points the Blue Devils score and allow while each is on the floor. Furthermore, Carter  possesses a higher true shooting percentage and effective field goal percentage, both measures of offensive efficiency, although he is behind Bagley III in many counting stats, such as points and rebounds per contest.

Carter is an ideal modern big man, and come 2018-19, when perhaps both he and his teammate Bagley are playing professionally, don’t be surprised if Carter shines more brightly than the more highly touted Bagley.

Discussion

Share and discuss “Take of the week: Wendell Carter Jr., not Marvin Bagley III, is Duke’s most NBA-ready prospect” on social media.