Placing astronomical expectations on a college basketball freshman doesn’t often end well, for either party. Fans are let down, coaches miss out on financial bonuses, and the players feel like they let everyone down.
That will be the challenge for Dwayne Bacon, the five-star shooting guard heading to Florida State next season. As the gem of the Seminoles’ 2015 class, the one that many say will dictate whether or not Leonard Hamilton will earn another year in Tallahassee, Bacon is facing more than his share of pressure.
Introducing: Dwayne Bacon
Height: 6’6
Position: Shooting Guard
Ranking: Five-star, No. 17 overall
Strengths: A true scorer at the SG position, Bacon can get his points in a variety of ways. First, he’s got great size for the position, allowing him to score inside over smaller defenders but also rise up above them on the perimeter. He struggled with his shot at the end of his senior season, but he has to be considered a threat from beyond the arc. Off the ball, he’s displayed a willingness to slash towards the basket and through a defense, while also finishing through contact above the rim. Overall, Bacon is a well rounded offensive talent who is progressing as a disrupting defender as well.
Areas to Improve: For all of the ways that he can score, Bacon’s ball handling still has a long way to go. This will open up a world of opportunities for him when needing to create his own shot at the next level. He’s also incredibly reliant on his right hand for finishing around the basket, something that will make him prone to getting shots blocked on the left side of the court. Finally, we’d like to see him progress as a playmaker for his teammates.
