FSU Basketball: Noles shine in 2020 NBA Draft review

Devin Vassell is selected eleventh overall by the San Antonio Spurs

SG Devin Vassell was the second FSU Basketball player selected in the first round lottery at number eleven by the San Antonio Spurs. Devin getting picked by the San Antonio Spurs makes so much sense that it almost makes writing his section difficult. The Spurs have been a model franchise for decades, evidenced by Vassell being the first lottery pick since they selected Tim Duncan in 1997.

Much like Patrick Williams, Devin will receive a hefty payday right out of college. Bobby Marks has the numbers:

Devin deserves all that is coming his way. After being just a three-star player out of high school and with FSU as his highest offer, Devin immediately provided for Leonard Hamilton’s team. Of course, he had to work to earn his starting position, but once he did, he didn’t let up. After not starting his freshman year, Vassell increased his all-around game his next and last season at Florida State. His minutes were up by eighteen, scoring by eight points, assists by one, and rebound by two.

In his second season with Florida State, Vassell started focusing on his defense. Steals became commonplace in the Civic Center, as did blocks. Vassell averaged at least one of each a game in his last season. Leonard Hamilton is a stalwart when it comes to the defensive end of the floor, so there’s no question that the fit with the Spurs for Devin is almost as perfect as it gets.

Before Devin got drafted, there had to be speculation on one part of his game, his shooting form. Up till the end of the season, there never once was a mention of Vassell’s shooting form being an issue. However, when the clip below surfaced on the internet, the talk started.

Devin and his family were quick to point out that he was not changing or working on his shooting form before the NBA Draft. Instead, the notion was that he was playing around and making it a sort of joke. We now know that this didn’t deter teams away from Devin once everything was cleared up, but something so small like a video of that nature can make or break a player’s draft stock.

Back to Devin with the Spurs. One could say that the Spurs have a crowded backcourt, and although that may be true, I am expecting a few things to happen so that Vassell at least sees playing time. SG Bryn Forbes and Marco Belinelli were not extending qualifying offers and enter free agency, however, there is a chance that San Antonio brings at least one of them back. A trade or move during free agency can also shake things up.

With that said, it is a known fact that the Spurs do not like to start rookies right off the bat. No matter what happens in terms of their roster as a whole I expect Vassell to be learning from the bench in his first year. What will be of significant service to Devin in terms of getting more playing time is the coaching he received at Florida State.

Florida State head coach Leonard Hamilton, in a way, resembles San Antonio Spurs’, Gregg Popovich. Both coaches demand defensive effort and focus, communication, and trust in your teammates. Leonard has built something special in Tallahassee based on this system, and it has worked out for coach Popovich as well.

It should be a seamless transition into a Popovich system for Vassell. He likes to be coached and enjoys getting everyone involved. His defense has grown leaps from his first year and should only expand into the NBA with his long reach and defensive prowess. The Spurs are quietly making a team that will cause absolute havoc on defense, and adding someone like Vassell only further shows the direction they headed.