HOUSTON (SportsRadio 610)- As a childhood friend and AAU teammate there are few who know Rockets’ first round pick Jalen Green’s game better than fellow first round pick Josh Christopher, so as they were being welcomed into the Rockets family on Friday, Christopher offered up a scouting report of his old friend.
“You don’t see too many athletes with his skill set. You don't see someone who can jump out the gym, but put moves on you at the same time. A three-level scorer who can shoot the ball and just score.”
The Rockets selected Green with the second pick of Thursday’s draft, and after complimenting Christopher’s scouting acumen, the man who drafted both, Rockets general manager Rafael Stone spoke in depth about what sets Green apart as a prospect.
“He’s electric,” Stone said. His first step is as good as anybody's in basketball, and his second and third step might be better, and then when he jumps, it’s really high, so good things happen.”
Instead of spending a semester or so in college, Green opted to play for the G League Ignite in the G League Bubble where he averaged 18 points across 16 games, playing against men under NBA rules. He shot 46 percent from the field, and 36.5 percent from behind the three-point line.
“I think Jalen’s a bucket,” Stone said.
“One of the nice things about the G league is he's already accustomed to the NBA three-point line. That range is relatively comfortable for him. As he gets older, bigger, stronger, that's just going to become easier and easier, but he can shoot and he can shoot from all three levels. I think Jalen is really, really talented.”
Despite the talent, no one would dare call Green close to a finish product, especially on the defensive end of the floor.
“We’re gonna work on the D,” Stone said while looking at Green. “The effort’s there, it's not non-existent, so I’m kind of teasing him, kind of serious. I think he's going to end up being a really, really good ,well-rounded all-around player, who's impactful on both sides of the ball.”
Green declared he wants to be an All Defensive Team selection on draft night, which was one of the many goals he set for himself along with being voted Rookie of the Year, an All Star, an All NBA selection, and securing a max contract. Those ambitions won’t be achieved magically, they’ll come with work, which Christopher says won’t be a problem with his old friend, and it might be his best trait.
“He puts in work, so I think that's the main thing, he's a workhorse.”