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NBA Draft: Admiral Schofield in perfect position to start with Washington Wizards

By Caleb Calhoun

KNOXVILLE, TENNESSEE - MARCH 02: Admiral Schofield #5 of the Tennessee Volunteers celebrates in the game against the Kentucky Wildcats at Thompson-Boling Arena on March 02, 2019 in Knoxville, Tennessee. (Photo by Andy Lyons/Getty Images)
KNOXVILLE, TENNESSEE - MARCH 02: Admiral Schofield #5 of the Tennessee Volunteers celebrates in the game against the Kentucky Wildcats at Thompson-Boling Arena on March 02, 2019 in Knoxville, Tennessee. (Photo by Andy Lyons/Getty Images) /
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Former Tennessee Volunteers basketball forward Admiral Schofield was taken by Washington in the 2019 NBA Draft. Here’s why the Vols graduate could start.

Admiral Schofield is one of the most unique players in the NBA Draft. The Tennessee basketball star and anchor for Rick Barnes’s teams the last two years plays like a power forward at 241 pounds but is only 6’6″.

However, Schofield makes up for it by shooting well from the outside. He shot over 40 percent last year with the Vols. As a result, he could be a role who operates as a three or a four off the bench depending on team needs.

Washington provides him a chance to start immediately at the three, though. Their wing player and center, Trevor Ariza and Thomas Bryant, have expiring contracts. They took Rui Hachimura of the Gonzaga Bulldogs with their first pick, and if they want to be a team to stretch the floor, Hachimura would be great at the four at 6’8″ 231 pounds.

To complement him, Schofield could start at the three but play a bit bigger and help stretch the floor. Even if the Wizards do get rid of Bradley Beal, Schofield and Hachimura could make for what is a very unique three-four combination in the pros. That may have been exactly what the Wizards were going for in this year’s NBA Draft.

There’s also a connection here. Tennessee basketball was put on the map last year with its win over the Gonzaga Bulldogs, and in that game, Schofield and Hachimura went head to head. Schofield won the battle with 30 points on over 50 percent shooting to Hachimura’s 21 points on under 45 percent shooting. Oh, and Hachimura had four turnovers.

Assuming Dwight Howard returns, it’s likely Washington moves Bobby Portis to center and have those guys alternating at the five. That gives Schofield an even better chance to replace Ariza at the three, especially given what he does.

Remember, Schofield is a defensive specialist. That’s exactly what Ariza was, and although Schofield isn’t technically as tall, he actually provides an impressive amount of length. So he can replace what the Wizards lost there.

Next. Celtics fans will fall in love with Grant Williams. dark

Meanwhile, as we said, Schofield can stretch the floor, and he can help the Wizards if they want to play up tempo or slow it down. His style of play may be unique, but it’s perfect for the uniqueness of the NBA Draft that the Wizards were going for. Add in the intangibles, the this former Vol with the name Admiral is a guy who could be destined for love in the Nation’s Capital.

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