The News Herald (Willoughby, OH)
New addition to help Cavs defensively
The Cavaliers used the eighth pick in the NBA draft June 21 to select Alabama point guard Collin Sexton — a player they hope will convince LeBron James to stick around.
Sexton, 6-foot-1, 185 pounds, averaged 19.2 points and 3.6 assists a game in his one-anddone college career.
Cavaliers general manager Koby Altman described Sexton as an “explosive playmaker,” fast in transition and someone that can take the load of James as a ballhandler and someone very good at the pick and roll.
Altman said Sexton has the basketball I.Q. that could influence James to stay with the Cavaliers rather than flee to another team. James can become a free agent on July 1.
“I think the pick, along with our youth and our momentum as a franchise — for LeBron and everybody — there’s a real energy here,” Altman said. “I think the talent level of Colin — I’m almost sure LeBron recognizes it.”
Sexton said the Cavaliers are getting a two-way player. That’s important because their defensive weaknesses were exposed while being swept by Golden State in the NBA Finals.
“I’m glad the Cavs picked me at No. 8,” Sexton said when interviewed at the draft at the Barclays Center in New York City. “When I was working out for them, I felt like that was one of my better workouts — probably one of my best workouts actually. So I’m very excited to be a part of the organization.”
“I think the pick, along with our youth and our momentum as a franchise — for LeBron and everybody — there’s a real energy here.” Cavaliers general manager Koby Altman
Sexton was a guest of the Cavaliers in Game 4 of the Finals and witnessed the Warriors schooling the Cavaliers, 108-85, to complete the sweep.
“Just being able to play both ends of the basketball court, being able to go out there and play defense and also being able to score the ball,” Sexton said. “But the most important
side is the defensive side just because of all the players you have to go against night in, night out.”
Here is the Sports Illustrated scouting report on Sexton:
“Knack for getting downhill, attacking the paint and finishing. Strong and unafraid of contact, drawing 7.6 fouls per-40 minutes. Finished in the 87th percentile as a pick-and-roll scorer (0.57 points per possession). Was mostly efficient while shouldering
a major offensive load, using 32.8 percent of his team’s possessions.
“Has the ability to be a strong on-ball defender. Has quick feet and is tenacious when engaged.” Sexton is 19 years old. “Man, LeBron, let’s do it,” Sexton said while being interviewed on ESPN when asked to make his pitch to James to convince James to stay with the Cavaliers. “I see you needed a few pieces last season. Let’s go back to the Finals.
Let’s do it.”
Under weaknesses, the Sports Illustrated scouting report read: “Questionable playmaking instincts. Poor 1.28 assist-to-turnover ratio. Finished in just the 28th percentile of pick-androll passers (0.84 points per possession). Can make the correct read, but on whole didn’t make teammates better.”
Sexton was 44 of 131 (.336) on 3-point attempts in his only season of college basketball.