NBA Draft Scouting Report: Indiana's Kanaan Carlyle

Scouting Report: Kanaan Carlyle

Feb 24, 2024; Stanford, California, USA; Stanford Cardinal guard Kanaan Carlyle (3) drives around Oregon State Beavers guard Jordan Pope (0) during the second half at Maples Pavilion. Mandatory Credit: D. Ross Cameron-USA TODAY Sports / D. Ross Cameron-USA TODAY Sports

1. Player Info
2. Prospect Profile
3. Highlights
4. Draft Projection
5. 2025 Big Board

Player Info

Kanaan Carlyle

Guard | Indiana

Height: 6'3” | Weight: 185 lbs 

2025 Draft Age: 20.73

Mar 14, 2024; Las Vegas, NV, USA; Stanford Cardinal guard Kanaan Carlyle (3) dribbles against the Washington State Cougars during the second half at T-Mobile Arena. Mandatory Credit: Stephen R. Sylvanie-USA TODAY Sports / Stephen R. Sylvanie-USA TODAY Sports

Prospect Profile

Carlyle is a dynamic, score-first guard who can generate points from all over the floor. He’s one of the most underrated players in the country and has the chance to be a breakout star as a sophomore. 

He boasts a three-level package of scoring upside, but can be inefficient and too ball-dominant at times. Carlyle isn’t the tallest, but he has good length and is a great athlete who can play above the rim with his effortless bounce. He has a flashy style of play given he is both quick and explosive and has unmatched speed in transition. When getting to his spots, Carlyle is very crafty and knows how to draw fouls. He is also extremely reliable from the line. 

Carlyle is a good passer which allows him to play in either backcourt spot. He has lead guard skills, but might be a better off-ball player at the next level. Again, he has good vision but can’t necessarily control the pace of a game and be a full-time floor general at the level he needs to quite yet. A simplified role at the NBA level might actually do a lot for his game 

Defensively, Carlyle has upside with his athleticism and quickness to defend either guard spot, but he isn’t a lockdown defender today. Even then, he has the tools to really improve on that end and be a factor in the future. 

After a great freshman season at Stanford in which he was an impact player from day one, Carlyle will now take his talents to Indiana. The former five-star recruit was a significant prospect who won a gold medal at the 2022 FIBA U18 Americas championship with USA Basketball. He also spent time at Overtime Elite before going to college, where he helped the YNG Dreamers get to the OTE Championship game against Amen and Ausar Thompson. 

Highlights

Draft Projection

Late First or Early Second-Round Pick in 2025 NBA Draft.

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2025 Big Board

Want to know more about other potential 2025 NBA Draft prospects and where they might get selected? Check out our Draft Digest Big Board.

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