We’ve seen a lot of players come through our doors over the years, varying in appearance, skill level, and everything in between. We decided to put forth a “Getting to Know” series on some players who have attended events but still remain on the lesser-known side of things. Each of these prospects embody being a student-athlete and getting it done in the classroom as well as on the basketball court, and today’s edition will take a closer look at Zion McDuffie of Butler.
We’ve seen McDuffie really shine throughout the spring season, recently stating, “The Grindhouse Lakers squad definitely proved to be a tough group, and McDuffie stood out as much as anyone on the roster. He’s a long, athletic forward prospect with a nice blend of inside-out ability on both ends of the floor. McDuffie is versatile enough to score from all levels while defending multiple positions and making his presence consistently felt on the glass. He finishes well and makes a strong impact in transition.” Which was later followed by, “It’s easy to appreciate this Anthony Morrow Elite group as a whole, but it’s basically impossible to ignore everything McDuffie brought to the table. He’s a long, strong, explosive wing/forward who excels at getting downhill and finishing in the open floor. That being said, McDuffie also created off the bounce, hit jumpers at a nice percentage, and highlighted interior toughness as a defender and rebounder.”
Given everything he’s showcased as a strong, athletic, rugged two-way wing/forward prospect, folks should be expecting a potential breakout season from McDuffie. He’s clearly bought-in to the team concept with this Anthony Morrow Elite group and shows the necessary adaptability to make an impact within various different roles. McDuffie is an excellent finisher with a muscular frame and the ability to play through contact. He rebounds well for his size/position and can reliably push the break in transition. McDuffie is a great open-floor athlete but possesses useful IQ and skill in the half court. Right now, folks are still getting familiar with him but that should definitely change over the coming months. Expect McDuffie to turn a lot of heads during his senior campaign for the Bulldogs.