Memphis Grizzlies 2023 NBA Draft Profiles: Brice Sensabaugh
The Memphis Grizzlies need more offensive creation. Could Brice Sensabaugh be an answer for them?
Brice Sensabaugh, Wing, The Ohio State
Measurements: 6’6”
Age: 19 years old
Stats: 16.3 points, 5.4 rebounds, 1.2 assists, 0.5 steals, 0.4 blocks. Shooting splits of 48.0/40.5/83.0 on 12.4/4.5/3.0 volume splits.
Per-36 (via Tankathon): 23.9 points, 7.9 rebounds, 1.7 assists, 0.8 blocks, 0.6 steals
Mock Draft placement: 25 - Grizzlies (ESPN), 17 - Lakers (Tankathon), 28 -Jazz (The Ringer), 14 - Pelicans (No Ceilings), 26 - Pacers (NBA Big Board), 19 - Warriors (Mavs Draft), 21 - Nets (The Athletic), 20 - Rockets (The Box and One), 18 - Heat (Bleacher Report)
Big Board placement: 21 (ESPN), 18 (Tankathon), 19 (The Ringer), 12 (No Ceilings), 20 (Mavs Draft), 15 (The Athletic), 21 (The Box and One), 25 (Bleacher Report)
It’s all about putting the ball in the hoop. When stuff slows down and defenses tighten up, sometimes it’s just as simple as getting a bucket. No matter what it takes.
When it comes to this draft class, there isn’t a player that fits the bill like Brice Sensabaugh. He didn’t have much buzz before the season, but his stellar shot-making launched him into the first-round conversation of this year’s draft. He’s built like a tight end — using nimble footwork, bruising physicality, and soft touch to light up the nets.
As we’ve seen in past drafts, young score-first players can fall down in a draft because of concerns in other areas of their game (Cam Thomas and Jaden Hardy as latest examples). Will the same fate happen for Brice Sensabaugh? Or will teams notice his offensive potential at his size, and swoop him earlier in the first round?
Strengths
BUCKET-GETTER
Catch-and-shoot
Brice Sensabaugh is a certified bucket-getter. What stands out when breaking down his game is the blend of shot difficulty and efficiency. He’s both a tough shot-maker and tough shot-taker.
Sensabaugh shot 46.1% on dribble jumpers, ranking in the 82nd percentile per Synergy Sports. His confidence stood out off the dribble, but he’s methodical getting to his spots. He leverages his footwork and strength in these situations, punishing defenders before rising up to hit wicked jumpers.
Sensabaugh’s shot-making transfers into his catch-and-shoot game as well, ranking in the 95th percentile in that category. He made 44.4% of his catch-and-shoot 3’s, and more impressively, he connected on 43.8% of them when guarded. Even if he doesn’t get the green light he had at Ohio State, it offers a sense of scalability when he’s slotted in a different pecking order in the league. It also makes him an asset when teams are attacking closeouts — unfazed in either firing away from 3, or creating an advantage to get to his spot inside the arc.
Evident through his scoring arsenal, his movement shooting should make him a great complementary weapon. As a bucket-getter, he moves with the intent of getting the basketball. Through the 2 NBA Finalists, we’ve seen role players make an impact by moving around to get the ball in their spots to hit big shots. Not many players in this draft class demonstrate that much upside in this department like Brice Sensabaugh.
Areas of improvement
Can he pass?
Defensive questions
While Brice Sensabaugh has the tools to be an elite offensive player, his playmaking is troublesome. His passing volume is quite low, possessing an assist-to-usage ratio of 0.32. In addition, his decision-making needs to improve, as he turned the ball over more times (68) than he dished out an assist (32). He may never be a volume assist guy, but it’ll be fascinating to see how he shells out his role as a decision-maker and offensive weapon.
Sensabaugh also has questions defensively. He doesn’t generate many defensive events, not even averaging 1 stock (steals + blocks) per game. His defensive position isn’t clear — his foot speed doesn’t help him against guards, but he might be at a height disadvantage against 4’s. The best pathway for him to grow into a solid defender would be to utilize his strength and frame to absorb contact off drives.
Sensabaugh has a bankable skill with his scoring. Depending on his situation, he’ll need to show more value in secondary areas in order to earn minutes early in his NBA career, especially if his tough shots aren’t falling.
Fit with the Grizzlies
The Memphis Grizzlies need more shot creators offensively outside the Big 3. Surely, they’ll target a 3 with more efficient shot-making, but a prospect with scoring upside wouldn’t be a bad thing with this core.
Brice Sensabaugh would compete with Ziaire Williams, David Roddy, and Jake LaRavia for minutes at the backup 3. His scoring prowess could give him the edge, but the Grizzlies have shown the desire for multi-faceted players in their rotation.
Nonetheless, people want a bench bucket-getter. There aren’t many better (realistic) options than Brice Sensabaugh. He’s an absurd scoring prospect with the ability to hit tough shots with an efficiency that won’t make a coaching staff pull their hair out. If he can scale it down to complement a core — in this instance one of Ja Morant, Desmond Bane, and Jaren Jackson Jr. — he could return value as one of the 10-15 best players in this draft.
Prediction: Brice Sensabaugh goes 3 picks within the 25th pick — whether it’s before or after the Grizzlies are on the clock is up for debate.
Stats found on Tankathon
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