Trail Blazers NBA Draft prospect: Robert Upshaw

Robert Upshaw, a dark horse NBA Draft prospect for the Portland Trail Blazers (23rd pick)

Dec 28, 2014; Seattle, WA, USA; Washington Huskies center Robert Upshaw (24) shoots against Stony Brook Seawolves forward Rayshaun McGrew (21) and Stony Brook Seawolves forward Jameel Warney (20) during the second half at Alaska Airlines Arena. Seawolves won 62-57. Mandatory Credit: James Snook-USA TODAY Sports

Player: Robert Upshaw
College: University of Washington
Position: Center
Height: 7’0”
Weight: 258 lbs
Wingspan: 7’5.5”
Age: 21

*All information current*

It seems like there is a guy like this in every draft; a guy that has truly incredible physical tools, boatloads of potential, and opportunity knocking at his door, but serious concerns regarding his character. That is what makes Upshaw so intriguing. He has a lottery pick frame and an undrafted mindset. If anyone is able to help him get his act together, it could pay off in spades. Should the Trail Blazers be the team to give him a shot?

Offense

Upshaw is far from what you’d call versatile, but he is good at what he does. He throws his weight around well within 10 feet of the basket. It is easy for him to bully his way to the rim and finish above it. He has decent touch too. Past 10 feet, however, he is essentially neutralized. There is no semblance of an accurate jump shot and he shoots an abysmal 43.4% from the line, which is a shame since he draws fouls very well with his size and strength.

Defense

This is where the jaw drops. Upshaw averaged an otherworldly 4.5 blocks per game with the Huskies. That is not only good for most in the NCAA this season, but most since Anthony Davis (4.7) in 2012. He is an undeniably gifted rim protector and is reasonably quick too. His fundamentals are otherwise so-so. A weak stance gets him beat from time to time, but that is fixable with proper training. The team that takes a chance on him is doing so primarily for his elite rim protection.

Biggest strengths

Upshaw butters his bread by patrolling the lane and affecting shots. His enormous wingspan, quick feet, and good instincts make him ideal for protecting the paint, an area of the floor where the Trail Blazers were too often demolished last season. He is already a good weak side defender and has potential to be a good post defender as well. On top of all this, he is a strong rebounder, able to corral the missed shots he causes and move quickly down the floor after passing the ball off.

Biggest weaknesses

Upshaw was dismissed from the University of Washington after 19 games for breaking team rules. The season before, he was dismissed from Fresno State after 22 games for the same reason. He has a great fondness for the Beasley leaf and does not appear fazed by repercussions. He also shows a clear lack of effort on the court at times, which makes his potential ceiling and potential floor scary in their own ways.

College statistics

Upshaw averaged 10.9 points, 8.2 rebounds, and 4.5 blocks in just 24.9 minutes per game in 2014-15. Per 40 minutes, that comes out to 17.6 points, 13.1 rebounds, and 7.2 blocks. Of course, the Per 40 metric is an imperfect projection, but it hints at his potential to excel. The only real knock against him here is his free throw percentage, which we addressed earlier. It is unlikely that he will round into form in that regard.

Overall fit

The Trail Blazers need someone to lock up the paint for the second unit. With Meyers Leonard playing more and more power forward and taking on the role of a stretch four, it could be beneficial to pair him with someone that protects the basket at a high level. Upshaw has potential to be a Hassan Whiteside kind of player if he can keep his off-court problems in check. That is, however, a very big if. Big enough to give everyone second thoughts.

Robert Upshaw highlights via North Dallas & NZAUTV Basketball

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