NBA Draft Defense Worries for Acuff Jr and Boozer

Scouts are raising red flags about defense for two of college basketball’s biggest names, Darius Acuff Jr. and Cameron Boozer. Sam Vecenie reported that "Defense does matter in the NBA, which is why teams have some trepidation about Acuff," noting Acuff was repeatedly beaten on ball screens despite a 36-point outing. Vecenie also wrote that "It has become apparent that Boozer is a four-man who needs to play next to a legitimate five because of his lack of vertical athleticism," with concerns about rim protection and lateral quickness. Merlin sees a familiar fork in the road. Both players bring high-end offense and boards, but their early role and ceiling will depend on fit and defensive development. Expect teams to take one if they love the scoring, then hunt for a defensive mate to hide weaknesses while development proceeds.