As the June 23 NBA draft continues to approach, now is the time to look at some potential prospects for the Philadelphia 76ers with the No. 23 pick in the draft. While the Sixers are currently shopping the pick and there is a possibility that whoever they select will be going elsewhere, there are still some options in this draft.
In this edition, Sixers Wire will look at a ball-handler in the form of Blake Wesley out of Notre Dame. He is a versatile guard–big in this current era of NBA basketball–and he can run an offense along with being able to get his own off the dribble.
While the biggest needs for the Sixers at the moment are wing depth and a backup big man, they could use another ball-handler off the bench and that is what Wesley can bring.
Wesley’s 2021-22 stats with Notre Dame
14.4 points
3.7 rebounds
2.4 assists
1.3 steals
40.4% field goal percentage
30.3% 3-point field goal percentage
Strengths
Standing at 6-foot-5 and 185 pounds, Wesley has good size heading into the NBA. Despite being tall, he has a slight frame that allows him to work his way around screens and be able to get to the basket. He can play point guard and run the offense while also being able to play the 2-guard and just be able to call his own number and provide some scoring off the bench. The young man just has a natural feel for the game and he has a high IQ of knowing when and where to space.
Wesley’s big game against Wake Forest
Weaknesses
Overall, Wesley does need to be a better shooter. The 40.4% shooting overall and 30.3% shooting from deep will scare some teams off. Especially, a Sixers team where shooting is paramount with the roster they have constructed. With that being said, Wesley does possess a high ceiling and if he can continue to work on his 3-point shot and be a real threat out there, it would make a difference for him on an NBA floor.
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