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The Milwaukee Bucks may have gotten a second-round gem with the final pick of the NBA Draft by selecting Sam Merrill out of Utah State.
With the pick, Merrill becomes the oldest player drafted since Pablo Prigioni in 2012. You may remember Merrill from his game-winning shot to beat San Diego State in the Mountain West Championship game.
After seeing that, you shouldn’t be surprised that Merrill is considered one of the best shooters in this draft class. He had a career 42 percent shooting percentage from three at Utah State and is a cold-blooded three-point shooter that excels coming off ball screens.
He also has the skill to create his own space using a step-back-crossover and change of pace to throw defenders off rhythm. Standing at 6’5, Merrill can fill in at the two-guard spot to provide shooting and floor spacing. There are questions about Merrill’s vertical athleticism and his ability to defend at the next level. Being a mature 25-year-old with a high basketball IQ, Merrill will be able to contribute on day one.
Merrill has the upside to be this year’s Duncan Robinson and has a floor as a shooter in this league to carve out a Pat Connaughton type roll on a contending team.