Jonny Flynn

Jonny Flynn, #10 PG, Syracuse University

Jonny Flynn has built on an impressive freshman campaign at Syracuse University. He has increased his scoring average from 15.7 ppg to 17.7 ppg, as well as his assists average from 5.3 apg to 6.7 apg while only averaging slightly less than two more minutes per game. It's good to see these numbers increase with the insignificant increase in playing time.

Flynn is listed as a 170 pound, 6'0 point guard. That's short folks, especially for the prototypical NBA point guard. His athleticism, quickness and explosiveness make up for his lack size, allowing him to penetrate the lane. As a smaller guard, penetrating into the lane and finishing around the basket can result in numerous fouls on opposing teams. This is his strength. What is his strength also happens to be his weakness. He is an absolutely explosive guard, capable of beating defenders with his first step. He definitely isn't scared. He knows he will more than likely get fouled as he goes up for his shot in the lane. He's looking to get fouled as he seeks out the body of the defenders. When he penetrates the lane though, he is too focused on getting to the rim. His tunnel vision impairs his ability to assess what the defense gives him. Once he is in the air he tends to either get blocked or tries to pass the ball to a fellow a teammate. This is the result of many of turnovers. Also, he is a relatively poor shooter from behind the arc, where he is only shooting 33% this season. In his short college career, from what I've been able to gather, he is a durable player (just recently he played in 67 of 70 minutes in the six overtime thriller against UConn. That's a lot of minutes, especially to play the way he plays).

Due to his lack of size, he will have to play the PG position in the pros. He isn't a natural point, but he has improved his abilities of reading the defense, setting up his teammates, and working the pick-and-roll. His improvement suggests that he can be capable of running the point at the next level.

Flynn has had an impressive Big East Tournament where he has helped carry Syracuse past Marquette, Connecticut, and West Virginia. Though he may be an undersized guard by NBA terms, he is definitely athletic enough to play at the next level. He needs to continue his play into the NCAA Tournament to show scouts he is capable of playing at the next level.

Strengths: Solid mid-range game; quickness, first step; improved offensive awareness and production

Needs to improve: Shot selection; decision-making; turnovers; defensive intensity

Projected draft position: Late first rounder to early second rounder

Updated draft position: mid- to late first rounder (16-26)

Best fit(s):

- Sacramento: with only one signed PG on the roster after this season (Beno Udrih) and a young team clearly in the rebuilding phase and trying to find its identity, a player like Flynn could be what this team is looking for. Sacramento has several players with really good range that he could distribute the ball to after penetrating, and the team also has some young talent in the front court that Flynn could distribute to as well.

- Orlando: clearly he would be the third option on this team behind Jameer Nelson and Raefer Alston, but Orlando has a team of perimeter shooters that Flynn would be able to dish out to when he penetrates the lane and Dwight Howard to throw ally-oops to or for clean up.