NCAA UNDERGROUND: take note for your team in Europe...Jaleel Cousins - South Florida

WHERE HE PLAYS – Center – 5

PHYSICAL SKILLS – good athlete; interesting athletic build, very long; pretty mobile for his size, good coordination; has some leaping ability and athleticism.

WHERE HE RECEIVES THE BALL AND HOW HE FINISHES – Cousins is typical 5 man with good athleticism. In transition he runs the floor well, usually looking to go straight to the block and trying to score around the rim. In the half court offense, his strength is around the basket, playing in the low post. Cousins is left handed and most of his shots around the rim are over his right shoulder (he is left hand dominant). In 1 on 1 situations with his back to the basket he is not overly creative and usually uses his length and height in order to shoot over defenders; most of the time going back to his left hand. Cousins’ strength is his length and aggressiveness on offensive glass – he is good offensive rebounder, keeps the ball alive and looks to get put backs and second chance shots – he is very active on the glass. He is also decent passer. Because of his leaping ability, he looks for lobs. Weaknesses: not a good finisher; has to improve his low post repertoire with his back to the basket, has to polish his post moves; has to significantly improve in finishing with his right hand;

WHERE AND HOW HE DEFEND – defense is his stronger side – very useful in the paint; even though he is not overly quick laterally and also has to improve his footwork, he uses his length really well. Considering his length and athleticism in the paint, he contests shots well and also makes offensive player to shoot over him; he is good defender around the rim and very useful since he protects the paint and has impact on the game on this side of the floor – South Florida is mainly zone team so he is useful in this type of defense as well. Good defensive rebounder.

HOW HE PLAYS PICK AND ROLL – offense & defense – in ball screen situations he rolls to the basket every time, looking to post up and get the ball in the low post and then go to work. In situations when he defends ball screens most of the time he would stay in drop position, protecting penetrations and paint.

RIGHT FIT FOR HIM – slower pace team with sets.
(SCOUTING BY NIKOLA KNEZEVIC)

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