Overall:

Nijel Pack is an elite shooting point guard.  Pack is an exceptional 3 point shooter and is also very good at shooting off motion.  At 6’0” Pack’s shorter than average height is a concern.  He makes up for it with shooting, passing and a high basketball IQ. Pack had some big games against the best competition including in-state rival and eventual national champions – Kansas.   2022-23 will be Pack’s junior season.  Pack transferred to the University of Miami from Kansas State.

NBA Skill:  Elite shooting

Note:  Prospects compared to statistical averages of drafted NBA players (2017-2022), by position, from their last college season.

Guards = Below 6’5″

Wings = 6’6″ to 6’9″

Posts = Above 6’10”

Blue      Comparable to average drafted NBA players by position.

Green  Exceeds the average drafted NBA players by position.

Red      Below the average of drafted NBA players by position.

Darker color signifies a greater statistical variance.

Offense:

Nijel Pack is an elite shooter.  She shoots well off motion (pin downs, curls, transition).  He shoots it well in pull ups.  He shoots it well off the catch.  Evidenced by his splits, 45/40/84, Pack can flat out shoot the rock.  With sky high shooting numbers it’s no wonder his advanced shooting metrics are sky high as well.  eFG% (Effective Field Goal percentage which accounts for Free Throws) is 57%.  Pack TS% (True Shooting percentage which accounts for FG + FT + 3PA) is a stellar 60% and this is after just his sophomore year.  

Pack’s shooting stroke is smooth, quick and effortless.  High release with a high arc.  Needless to say, 73% of his shots are jumpers with an Excellent 1.2 points per play.  His finishes at the rim produces 1.1 points per play, which is Average but for his size it is truly remarkable.  He accomplishes this with an array of soft touch finishes floaters, runners, first step finishes that keep taller defenders off balance.

Digging deeper, all of Pack’s Play Types are very efficient and are all rated Excellent.  It is easy to picture him running off double staggers and nailing three after three at the next level.  

Wanna sees:  

Increased efficiency in soft touch finishes.  

Increased efficiency in mid range pull ups

Assists and Decision Making

In addition to being an elite shooter, Pack surprises with playing making abilities. He has advanced passes in his repertoire:  transition touch pass, one handed off the dribble passes, weak side kick out pass and short roll lob.  Despite his low assist numbers, Pack is a willing passer.  He understands his gravitational pull as an elite shooter and is willing to make the extra pass.  Unfortunately, he did not have the finishers at Kansas State that he hopefully will have at Miami, FL.

Despite his ability to play with pace, typically, Pack is rarely sped up and can see danger a few steps ahead.  His advanced basketball IQ and knowing defensive responsibilities allows him to avoid committing offensive fouls that often plagues younger players with NBA potential.  This is evidenced by the fact that Pack’s TOV (turnover average per game) and TOVr (turnover rate as a percentage of plays) is well below the averages of NBA guards recently  drafted. 

Rebounding and Defense

Pack has less than average rebounding numbers but very good offensive rebounding numbers.  Rebounding is not a primary responsibility for guards, but it certainly contributes to winning basketball. 

One big question mark for Pack will be his size defensively at the next level.  For a guy who shoots so well it will be easy to dismiss those deficiencies.  However, Pack has great anticipation for steals, averaging 1.3 per game.  His positional defense and help defense shows he understands defensive rotations and the importance of doing the little things like tagging the roller or X-ing out on the weak side to anticipate the kick out.  Pack shows those instincts consistently.