Photo. Seton Hall UniversityThe last Seton Hall Pirate to be taken in the NBA Draft was Samuel Dalembert with the 26th pick in 2001. Andre Barrett posted 17.3 points and close to 6 assists per night in his senior season at the Hall in ‘04, but didn’t hear his name on draft night. Since then he’s been with five NBA clubs and has been a regular D-League star. That being said, history is against you, Brian Laing.
But the 6-5, 215-pound senior guard/forward isn’t just another Pirate. Laing’s 19 points per game ranks second in the Big East behind Luke Harangody’s 20.3 at Notre Dame, and his 7.1 boards per night rank 15th in the conference. Plus, he’s been an animal against the best competition in the best league in college hoops: 25 and 6 against Louisville, 24 and 6 at Georgetown, and 21 and 6 at West Virginia. Mental and physical toughness are never a question with Laing, who is a St. Raymond’s (Bronx, NY) product.
The majority of Laing’s points come off of isolations on the wing where he can use his strength to bully smaller defenders. But he doesn’t like to go all the way to the tin. His mid-range jumper has developed into a quality weapon — for the last two years he’s shooting the exact same 46.3% from the field. Even when teams switch small forwards over to him, his release is trigger-quick. But he truthfully cannot extend beyond 18 feet without going ice cold. The kid flat out can’t shoot threes. He’s hitting 31% of his triples. That won’t convert well when the line is three feet further back in the League.
So at 6-5, is there place in the NBA for a stocky shooting guard who can’t hit long-range jumpers, but can still score in bunches? Well Rip Hamilton (not exactly stocky) does his damage from inside the three-point arc, but he’s half a step quicker and two inches taller. Brandon Roy only has an inch on Laing, and also is most successful from mid-range. However, his mid-range extends out to 22-feet. During Roy’s senior year at U-Dub, he shot 51% from the field and 40% from three. Most guys who are built like Laing and play the two are fringe NBA players and/or defensive specialists.
Will NBA teams take a flyer on an undersized two, hoping that he can add three feet to his jumper? Honestly, late in the second round when Seton Hall fans hope to hear his name, GM’s will most likely prefer Nevada’s Marcelus Kemp (20.4 ppg), Western Kentucky’s Courtney Lee (21 ppg), or Arkansas’ Sonny Weems (15 ppg) if they’re going to take 6-5 shooting guards.
February 19th, 2008 at 4:36 pm
tony bucketa says:
Wasn’t Eddie Griffin drafted in 01 out of Seton Hall?
February 19th, 2008 at 5:38 pm
Logan Light says:
The definition of mid-range game changes drastically when you get to the NBA. Your once open 18 footer is now well within reach of a 7 foot center… not to mention that your “iso on the wing” will also probably start further back in the league. With so many athletes trying to punch their way in, it’s hard to see Brian getting drafted.
I think he can make the league… but it will have to be the unconventional way(which has now become a little more conventional) through the D League and perhaps a stint overseas.
If a team does draft him, it would have to be a team like Utah or LA. They both have some room on the bench for a work in progress.
February 19th, 2008 at 5:42 pm
DJ Leon Smith says:
Andrew Gaze son.
February 19th, 2008 at 8:42 pm
LOVELIFE says:
MAYBE!!
MAYBE NOT!!
BUT HELL
HE HAS PLAYED & PRODUCED
NICE STATS AT A
big east school
THAT ALONE
WILL GET HIM
quality competition
a nice paycheck
longevity
IN THE TOP LEAGUES IN europe!!
GO GETCHA $$$$
PLEASE SAVE YA $$$$
GO ENJOY PARTS OF THE WORLD
RETIRE WHEN THE GAME IS NO LONGER FUN
COMEBACK TO THE STATES..if happiness overseas doesnt keep ya there..AND ENJOY YA college degree!!
February 19th, 2008 at 10:37 pm
AK says:
tony -
Griffin went 7th in the ‘01 draft and Dalembert went 26th. We were just saying that technically Sammy is the last Pirate to be taken in the draft.
AK
March 10th, 2008 at 5:12 pm
Mr. Williams says:
Brian Laing is my my younger cousin and he does have a chance to make it in the NBA. We are a tough family, so if I didn’t think he was ready trust me I would have told him. He dominated all season in the Big East while playing out of position. Trust me I’ve played against him many times and he is too strong, too athletic and too dedicated not to make it in the NBA. During the summers while guys play in streetball tournaments back home, Brian decides to spend his time lifting, running and shooting. As we saw trhis season his jumpshot has improved tremendously and he is a grown man on the boards. A team just has to give him a chance and I promise they won’t be dissappointed. He is a good hardworking kid off and on the court with a good head on his shoulders. A true diamond in the ruff.