NBA Daily: Deng Adel Wants To Bring Toughness

Without question, Deng Adel qualifies as a sleeper in the 2018 NBA Draft. Be brings an interesting skill set on the offensive end and competes on defense, as well. Adel spoke about what he brings on the defensive end of the floor at the NBA Combine.

“It’s fun. It’s fun,” Adel said. “You know I’m a competitor so I wanna go out there, show all the scouts, these GMs here that I can compete. And I can go in the organization and bring that toughness. Bring that defensive ability. Just show them that I want to play to win.”

This past season at Louisville, he averaged 15 points, 5.2 rebounds, 2.8 assists, 0.6 steals and 0.3 blocks per game. He shot 44.8 percent from the field and 35.0 percent from three. 

“Versatility,” Adel said when asked what he’ll bring to the next level.

“I think I’m very versatile on both ends of the floor. I do a great job at getting in the lane and finding people. I can just bring that extra ball handling and you know just a play maker.”

Adel has shown an ability to wreak havoc on both ends of the floor. He runs the floor very well in transition and and has above-average passing abilities which he can use to pick apart defenses. His jumper is also silky smooth and he’s very good in the post.

Possessing an almost automatic jump shot from the elbow, Adel also finishes in traffic pretty well. It’s difficult to imagine a scenario where he goes undrafted.

“Yeah. Definitely,” Adel said when asked whether he is still attempting to rediscover his rhythm on the offensive floor after suffering an injury earlier this season. “Especially, a lot of it with my shooting. I gotta get my feel back, gotta get my rhythm back. So it definitely set me back but I’m happy to be back out here and I gotta get on the road now. I got a bunch of workouts lined up. And I’m just gonna go in there and just play hard like I’ve always done. Jut show them the type of competitive person I am.”

Adel is certainly a prospect that’s worth taking a flier on. He has many positives and has the potential to be developed into the type of “3-and-D” player that most NBA teams today rely on to defend on the perimeter.

He for sure has it on the defensive end of the floor, but it is his offensive game that needs to take the next step, especially with respect to his three point shooting. If Adel was able to improve his consistency shooting from range, it would certainly make him a more valuable asset.

“Just continue to compete,” Adel said when asked what he needed to do to improve his odds of getting drafted. “Show my shooting. I know I missed a couple of weeks but just show that I improve my jump shot. My perimeter game is improved. My play making ability has improved and just go out there and just compete.”

With the draft less than a week away, we’ll soon learn his fate.