Ben Saraf Scouting Report
Giving my analysis on one of the potential lottery picks playing for Ratiopharm Ulm
Stats
12.8 PTS, 2.2 REB, 4.6 AST, 1.3 STL, 0.1 BLK, 2.5 T.O (24.4 Min)
Intro
A potential lottery pick this year Ben Saraf is flying under the radar in my opinion due to the high level of talent in this class. Coming into this draft as one of the younger prospects (will have recently turned 19 come draft day) the potential is sky high for him.
Inside Scoring
A very good scorer within 18 feet of the rim, Ben Saraf has a crafty way of putting the ball in the hoop. His deceleration as he gets in the lane is my favorite aspect of the game. He lets things happen around him and that will dictate his next move. Some call it poetry in motion; you see flashes of this when Saraf comes off a Pick and Roll and lets the defense decide how he will beat them. Pull up for a 15 footer? Take an extra dribble or two and find one of your teammates on the wing? He let’s things happen in front of him and then reacts based on that. Just by this aspect alone I think he will have a spot on an NBA roster for a good period of time.
Outside Scoring
Maybe the worst part of his game is his outside scoring. Shooting only 22% from three he struggles from deep. This will need to really develop if he has any shot of playing for an extended period of time. I wouldn’t say any of his other skills are elite by any means which means his outside scoring will need work if he wants to play regular minutes in the NBA.
Playmaking/IQ
The best aspect of Saraf’s game is his high basketball IQ. He reads and understands situations at an extremely fast pace and can adapt to anything that is in front of him. He’s an above average passer averaging 4.6 assists a game but he’s also averaging about 2.5 turnovers. For a guy that needs the ball in hands to be effective the turnovers don’t worry me as those are going to happen, but I’d like to see his assist numbers higher if the outside shot still is not falling.
Defense
Defense could be a problem for Saraf. He’s an average defender overseas but in the NBA he could be exposed by more athletic guards. His quickness and 6’6 frame lead me to believe he should be able to hold his own on defense yet he showed none of that to date. His high basketball IQ does put him in the right spots at the right times though, he has a knack for ending up on the right side of a mixup on defense.
Draft Projection
(Dynasty 12 Team) - 2.6-2.12
Fantasy is all dependent on situation. In the best of situations if he plays 15 minutes a night he’d be worth an early 2nd for the hopes that later in the year or next year he will start getting that extended time of play. If he goes to a guard heavy team I could see him slip to the end of that 2nd round where he would be a major value pick for me.
NBA Draft - 17th Overall Miami Heat
With the departure of Jimmy Butler, the heat will look to turn to younger guys in order to lead their franchise. With their core oh Herro & Bam, and the emergence of Jacquez and Ware; the need for a true Point Guard couldn’t be greater, and Saraf could fit that role perfectly.
Draft Grade
An 93.30 on my NBA Draft Prospect Evaluation model is described as follows:
Tier 2 (80 - 99 Rating)
A good prospect with great potential. The scariest place for a player to be is here. You have the highest probability to draft a player with this rating high and them not pan out. You will most likely be using your 1st round picks and maybe even some 2nd rounders to get these guys.
In Saraf’s case I see him as more of a 2nd round guy but that just means it’s a great value pick once you get him
Potential, Potential, Potential. The What If factor