Kentavious Caldwell-Pope selected No. 8 by Pistons in NBA draft

Kentavious Caldwell-Pope averaged 18.5 points and 7.1 rebounds at Georgia last season. (Porter Binks/SI) The Pistons selected Kentavious Caldwell-Pope with the
Kentavious Caldwell-Pope selected No. 8 by Pistons in NBA draft
Kentavious Caldwell-Pope selected No. 8 by Pistons in NBA draft /

Kentavious Caldwell-Pope averaged 18.5 points and 7.1 rebounds at Georgia last season. (Porter Binks/SI)

Kentavious Caldwell-Pope averaged 18.5 points and 7.1 rebounds at Georgia last season.

The Pistons selected Kentavious Caldwell-Pope with the No. 8 pick in the NBA draft on Thursday. Here's a look at Caldwell-Pope and how he fits with Detroit:

Bio: Georgia | Sophomore | Shooting Guard

Vitals: 6-6, 204 pounds

2012-13 Statistics: 18.5 points, 7.1 rebounds, 1.8 assists, 2 steals, 43.8 percent shooting in 33 games.

Strengths: Caldwell-Pope is a versatile scorer who excels at creating his own shot. The pull-up jumper was his most devastating weapon last season, but he also excelled off screens and in spot-up situations. Defensively, he's a plus-rebounder for the position and a willing perimeter defender who often guarded the best opposing player.

Weaknesses: The Georgia guard has never met a shot he didn't like. While he can make many of those tough shots in traffic, he needs to refine his decision-making to become an efficient threat in the NBA. Ball-handling and playmaking are two other areas in which Caldwell-Pope needs to improve.

What Scouts Say: "He takes tough shots, but he makes a lot of them. He can score in a multitude of ways. He scores really high in our analytical projections. His weight is a concern because he'll have to defend some of the stronger two guards, but that's about it. He's a great kid, not overwhelmed by the process."

Team Fit:

Greg Monroe

Andre Drummond


Published
Rob Mahoney
ROB MAHONEY

Rob Mahoney is an NBA writer dedicated to the minutiae of the game of basketball, its overarching themes and everything in between. He joined the Sports Illustrated staff in 2012.