With the NBA Draft fast approaching, and the Early Entry List set, it's time to examine more in depth some of the players who could be available for each of the Pacers three picks. (I am operating under the assumption Dallas will be sending us their 2nd round pick this year, not next, to complete the Shawne Williams deal. June 1st is the final deadline for Dallas to decide.)
Obviously, the Pacers 1st Round pick is the most exciting and has the most potential for value. As we need a lot of improvement in all areas, I will be looking at players who should be available for all three picks. My plan is to post two profiles a day, for 2nd rounders, until the Draft Lottery on May 18th. After the team's first round position is finalized, I'll begin profiling 1st Rounders.
These profiles cover players I believe have some value to offer the Pacers next season and in the future. These profiles are not intended to advocate for one player over another, just examine their strengths and weaknesses, and discuss in some detail what they have to offer. For each profile I provided Ten Important Statistics to guide the discussion. When discussing how each player can help the Pacers I will try to specifically reference the team needs I identified in Setting the Table for the Pacers Summer. Here is who we will be looking at today:
Charles Garcia - PF - 6'10" 230 lbs. - Seattle University
| Pts/40 | Reb/40 | Ast/40 | Blk/40 | eFG% | 3PT% | FT% | FTA/40 | PF/40 | TO/40 |
| 28.8 | 12.7 | 1.6 | 1.2 | 49.0% | 27.7% | 61.5% | 15.1 | 5.0 | 6.2 |
Strengths -
- Charles Garcia has a very diverse skill set. At 6-10, he is a terrific ball handler and excels facing and attacking the basket.
- With his quickness and ball handling, he is an absolute monster attacking the basket. His 15.1 FTA/40 is the highest by any player in college basketball over the last decade.
- He has the tools to develop into a solid jumpshooter, including 3PT range.
- He has a lot of upside. There just aren't many players with his combination of guard skills and athleticism with big man size.
- He rebounds well, although he will need to exert much more effort to help translate this skill at the next level.
- Some highlights:
Weaknesses -
- Garcia played at Seattle University, a school only in it's 2nd year playing in Division I. He ended up there after being unable to qualify academically at University of Washington. His numbers, while eye-popping were put up against a lower level of competition.
- Garcia has a very low Basketball IQ. He forces a lot of bad shots, and was among the most turnover prone players in the nation last season. He also has very undeveloped post skills for a player his size.
- He will need to substantially improve on his 61.5% FT% if he is going to take full advantage of his driving ability.
- He was a below average defender this season. He has all the athletic tools, but effort and attention led him to excessive reaching and fouling.
- He was benched by his coach mid-way through the season for a lack of effort and intensity, particularly on defense.
How he can help the Pacers -
- Garcia is a project. He has tremendous physical tools and very diverse skills. However his effort and focus leave a lot to be desired. He really needs the right development structure to take advantage of his gifts and become the best player he can be. If the Pacers are looking for a long-term project, someone with huge upside that they can slowly develop, they aren't going to find much better than Charles Garcia. He has the potential to be the long, athletic power forward we have been looking for, although he is further away than some of the players available in the 1st round.
More information -