Is Vassell an Iguodala in the making?

In the lead- up to the NBA draft, The Chronicle is analyzing players the Warriors could consider taking with the No. 2 pick. Up now is Florida State guard Devin Vassell:

Strengths:

Vassell can’t drink legally, but he has the makings of a ready- made contributor in the NBA. A big shooting guard with a 7- foot wingspan, quick first step and impressive vertical leap, he fits the bill of a “3- and- D” wing.

The release on his jump shot is high and fast, which bodes well for his chances of continuing to excel from beyond the arc. Last season at Florida State, Vassell shot 41.5% from 3- point range on 1.5 attempts per game, a solid sample size given how much the Seminoles like to share the ball.

Though he averaged only 12.7 points per game as a sophomore, he is a fluid scorer who can handle the ball and create off the dribble. Vassell’s step- back jumper is the type of signature move that should translate to the NBA.

The biggest reason he is a projected lottery pick, however, is his defensive potential. A wiry athlete who can guard multiple positions, he is adept at disrupting passes and causing turnovers.

It only helps that Vassell consistently manages to outmuscle bigger opponents for rebounds. When discussing his NBA ceiling, scouts often reference Vassell’s significant improvement from his freshman to sophomore seasons and his innate feel for the game.

Simply put, he does the little things to help his team win. It’s no coincidence that Florida State lost only 13 games in his two seasons.

Weaknesses:

To become more than a catch- and- shoot threat, Vassell probably will need to get better at creating offense for himself in isolation. There are also concerns about his ability to add bulk — a requirement if he hopes to defend power forwards and centers in the NBA.

Though scouts appreciate his unselfishness, Vassell must get more aggressive attacking the rim. Last season, he attempted only 2.2 foul shots per game, a low number for a top offensive option.

Overall, Vassell could stand to get more consistent. As a sophomore, he scored in single digits six times, including outings of five and three points in two of his final six games.

Fit with Warriors:

If the Warriors draft Vassell, they’ll do so with designs on him helping fill the defensive void left by Andre Iguodala and Shaun Livingston. Vassell’s size, lateral quickness and instincts suggest he could step in from Day 1 and be one of Golden State’s best on- ball defenders.

But given that he plays the same position as Klay Thompson, he’d probably need to come off the bench for the foreseeable future. Vassell’s versatility would figure to help him play 20- plus minutes a night as a rookie who can shoulder a heavy defensive load and knock down the open jumper.

Scout’s take:

“I have no doubt that Vassell is going to be a really good player in this league for a long, long time, but does he have the upside to warrant a top- 5 selection? That I’m not sure about. I just don’t know if he’ll ever be a good enough scorer to justify a team like the Warriors taking him at No. 2.”

Bottom line:

Most mock drafts have Vassell going anywhere between No. 5 and No. 14. But in a class with so much uncertainty, the Warriors might want to reach at No. 2 for someone they think could fill one of their biggest needs: perimeter defense.