Scouting Corey Kispert
Updated: Feb 11, 2021
In the latest edition of 'P.I. Pulse,' Pro Insight’s Aneesh Namburi conducts a deep dive analysis on arguably the best shooter in college basketball, Gonzaga's Corey Kispert:
Corey Kispert is a 6-foot-7 senior wing from Edmonds, Washington, in the midst of a breakout season with the undefeated Gonzaga Bulldogs. Primarily a floor-spacer early in his college career, Kispert has transformed into one of the most dynamic and potent offensive players in the country. A potential All-American candidate, Kispert is a dribble/pass/shoot wing that is highly valuable in the modern NBA. Below is an in-depth scouting report that covers every aspect of his game and how it translates to the NBA, where his strengths lie in addition to potential areas of improvement.
Measurables
Date of Birth 03/03/1999
Height 6'7"
Weight 220 lbs.
Wingspan 6'8"
Injury History
Missed 2 games thus far at Gonzaga (ankle sprain winter of freshman year)
Potential Roles/Outcomes
High: Starting dribble/pass/shoot wing. Elite C&S threat. Real movement shooter, comfortable shooting non-set shots. Can put the ball on the floor and finish well due to frame and shooting gravity. Consistently able to find teammates within offense and while attacking closeouts. Excellent off-ball cutter. Can run situational on ball actions. Positive team defender based around IQ+strength. Understanding of positional concepts and improved physical tools makes him a good defender vs. non creators or bigs. Can switch onto PG’s and true 5’s in a pinch, but will need help.
Median: Solid to high level backup wing. Real threat shooting off the catch. Decent movement shooter, but still not a high level one due to lower body. Can put the ball on the floor, average finisher due to strength but struggles a bit due to lack of versatility. Consistently able to find teammates within offense and attacking closeouts. Provides value as a cutter. Solid team defender based around IQ and size. Can guard 3’s and 4’s competently due to strength, understanding of positional concepts, with situational ability against slower 2’s and smaller 5’s. Needs immediate help against point guards and traditionally sized 5’s.
Low: End of rotation shooter. Shooting gives him situational rotation minutes, but low(er) release point and lower body mechanics prevent him from possessing real movement capability. Ability to finish or make good reads off closeouts. Solid size, strength. IQ gives him competence as a team defender, but lack of quick twitch athleticism and high level flexibility makes him a liability on ball, specifically against quick 1’s and 2’s.
Frame/Athleticism
His two biggest strengths are above average size and strength for his position. Kispert’s 6-foot-7 frame and strength through four summers in the Gonzaga weight room give him upside to hold his own defending out of position. Solid vertical athlete, but his timing and aggressiveness accentuate this area. Needs to improve lateral quickness and hip flexibility. Wingspan is reported to be 6-foot-8. Overall, fine athlete by NBA standards, but not a differentiator. Kispert’s combination of size, strength, and IQ allows him to maximize his physical tools.
Reported +1 WS, does not hurt him too much due to projected role
Passable vertical athlete, ancillary skills helps mitigate minor tape concerns
Offense: aggressiveness+strength finishing at the hoop
Defense: great timing in rotation as a helpside rim protector
Great size and strength for position, could potentially see him at up to 3 different positions
Good hip turn in the lower body, slower in the upper half, leads to inconsistent overall hip flexibility
Struggles to move with quicker players laterally
Not a very quick twitch athlete by NBA standards
Slightly below average burst/first step, but ability to understand the floor helps
Offense
Kispert is a day one dribble/pass/shoot wing who might be the best shooter in the draft with his feet set. Specifically proficient in early offense trail 3’s, lifts, relocation, and of course spot-up situations. His mechanics/set up are pristine, but may limit effectiveness off movement to some degree. Kispert is an aggressive finisher in both the half court and transition, and comfortable uses both hands. He can read the floor at a high level for a primarily off-ball wing and consistently makes good decisions, specifically when attacking off a closeout. Excellent floor mapper. Not really a manipulator of the defense, but utilizes fakes well. Kispert has a sufficient handle for a primarily off-ball role. His understanding of spacing and Gonzaga’s scheme makes him a dangerous cutter, and it seems likely that those same skills translate once he gets comfortable with his team’s offense. He has real potential as a screener both on and off the ball due to shooting gravity, and could run some side PnR in a pinch down the road.
Finishing
Aggressive finisher, not going to shy away from contact (67/91 within restricted area this season)
Comfortable using either hand
Excellent getting out and running the lanes in transition, cutting backdoor in half court
Have not seen him attempt many adjustment finishes (has not really been necessary, can usually finish through people)