Syracuse Basketball: Three reasons why Elijah Hughes will be a success in the NBA

It’s no secret that Syracuse basketball star Elijah Hughes was one of the top players in college hoops last season. Here’s why it’ll continue in the NBA.

3. His hardworking ability to improve

There’s no secret that Elijah Hughes kept getting better each year in college. Before he was a Syracuse basketball star, he was the second or third option. Before that, he was a role player on East Carolina. Even before that, he was just barely a top-200 recruit in the class of 2016. However, his willingness to prove the doubters wrong has always shone through, resulting in his potential to be a first round pick in this year’s NBA Draft.

Let’s start from his high-school days. Hughes was on a loaded South Kent team, featuring future college stars Myles Powell and Tremont Waters, and once SU forward Matthew Moyer. Those aforementioned players were all top-100 players, and while Powell made a name for one of the best players in the country the past too seasons, and Waters has found himself a home in the NBA, Hughes is right there in terms of talent.

Hughes’ best offer was East Carolina, which is where he ended up going, averaging 7.8 points per game and 2.3 rebounds his freshman season. Hughes then entered his name in the transfer portal, and chose the Orange over Seton Hall, where he could name teamed up with Powell, saying, “I sat down and thought about it and just decided that Syracuse was the right spot.”

After sitting out a year per transfer eligibility rules, it became clear that the Salt City was in fact the right place for Elijah. Hughes paired well with Oshae Brissett, both handling the second or third scoring option on any given night to help out the lead act, Tyus Battle. Together, the trio helped the ‘Cuse earn an eight seed in the NCAA Tournament, before getting bounced by Baylor.

But he didn’t stop there. This past season, Hughes became one of the best wings in the NCAA, averaging 19.0 points, 4.9 rebounds, and 3.4 assists. That play has caught the eye of many NBA teams. Hughes has risen up draft boards, marked as a player with first round potential by some experts.

This constant improvement has to be a welcome sign for NBA teams looking for a solid wing option. Every single year Hughes was in college, he got better, showing his hard work, which will never go overlooked at the next level.

2. His height and length

At 6-foot-6, Hughes’ height stands out – no pun intended. At the 2-guard spot, that height is extremely crucial, as it gives him an advantage offensively. Defensively, it may be a bit small, as wings in the NBA can be even a few inches taller, but still, there’s no reason why he can’t guard most players in positions one through three.

However, perhaps more impressive than his height at the two guard position is his length. While no official measurements on his wingspan, Hughes’ long and active arms in the Syracuse basketball 2-3 zone forced over a steal per game last season, which could translate into the NBA very well.

Although the zone defense isn’t a big part of NBA gameplans, Hughes’ skillset of stealing passes around the perimeter is very notable, as it shows he’s not just an offensive talent, but can make an impact defensively as well.

Overall, it isn’t that Hughes’ height and length set him that far apart from the rest of the draft class. Rather, it’s the fact that he fits the NBA mold perfectly with that size, giving NBA team little to worry about in comparison to a prospect that is undersized.

1. He can score on anyone in this draft

When it comes down to it, it’s Elijah’s ability to put the ball in the basket that separates him from most players in the 2020 NBA Draft class. In a league that drafts based on potential, Hughes has that. As mentioned before, he has constantly improved over the past four years, which shows his ever growing potential.

However, the fact that he can make an impact with his scoring from day one is a very welcome trait. Hughes led the ACC in scoring last season, while scoring 25 points or more in seven games last season, a very impressive mark for any power conference player.

That type of scoring would obviously fit well for any NBA team, as pure scoring is always a good thing to have on a team. Hughes was recently projected to be picked up by the Los Angeles Lakers, where this scoring would be useful on a LeBron James led team that is in need for a scorer off the bench.

Oh, and if he can hit shots like this, it may be worth taking him: