HH Draft Profile: Jaron Blossomgame
By Alex Eddy
Hardwood Houdini Draft Profiles
Jaron Blossomgame: Clemson, SF
Height: 6’7″
Weight: 220 pounds
Age: 23
Click on the name for up to date stats: Jaron Blossomgame
Strengths
Defensive Potential/Athleticism:
Blossomgame has the potential to be an elite on ball defender. He is quick, has good hands, and has toughness. Most importantly, he is a stellar athlete at the small forward position. This athleticism helps him contain taller forwards, while his quickness helps him defend guards. Guarding multiple positions will help Blossomgame become an effective NBA player.
Leadership:
Blossomgame came back to Clemson to improve his game. What has gone unnoticed for the most part is his increased leadership role. He is the general out there, especially on the defensive end. Teammates look at Blossomgame as the leader emotionally and they look to him when they need a big basket. He will definitely bring leadership to the next level.
Weaknesses
Decline:
Blossomgame has declined in many aspects of his overall game. His field goal percentage, free throw percentage, rebounds per game, and points per game are all down from a season ago. The most alarming decrease is his 3-point shooting. He was almost a 45% 3-point shooter last year (44.6%), and is now a 26.1% 3-point shooter. Blossomgame was supposed to emerge as a consistent 3-point shooter this year. His defensive potential and his perimeter game were supposed to make him a 3&D guy in the NBA. This decline in outside shooting has really hurt Blossomgame.
Ability To Create Own Shot:
Blossomgame often struggles to create his own shot off the dribble. He doesn’t have a wide variety of moves that make him a legitimate threat when getting to the basket or pulling up for a mid-range jump shot. This was seen in particular against Duke when Blossomgame was locked up by Matt Jones for the majority of the game. He shot 3-12 from the field in 39 minutes, had 7 points, and 2 turnovers. When being guarding by elite defenders, he can struggle getting his own shot.
Age:
Especially in a draft like this, a 23-year-old is seen as an old man. This draft is dominated by players who are 18, 19, and 20. Blossomgame is a player that isn’t going to have upside at his age. This will make teams hesitate on selecting him in the draft.
Overview
Blossomgame has great athleticism, which gives him great potential as an elite perimeter defender in the NBA. Although he has seen an increase in his leadership role, his numbers are mostly down from a season ago. He is not a player that you look at and say he has a high ceiling, but he will be a player that will come in and know his role right away. I see Blossomgame being a late first round to early second round draft pick.