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NBA Draft 2014: Niels Giffey

June 22nd, 2014 · 3 Comments

We continue our Draft Preview with another 2nd round candidate, the German forward Niels Giffey out of UConn. Giffey did the classical pre-draft tour with several workouts, the Portsmouth Invitational and the Adidas Eurocamp. See below for his chances to get drafted.

Profile

  • Name: Niels Giffey (GER)
  • Date of birth: 9th June 1991
  • Current Team: Graduated at UConn Huskies (USA)
  • Stats: 8.4ppg (54.0% FGs – 48.3% 3FGs), 3.8rpg (NCAA D1)

Body Measurements (from Adidas Eurocamp)

  • Height with shoes: 2m01 – 6 feet 7 inch
  • Wingspan: 2m08 – 6 feet 10 inch
  • Reach: no value
  • Weight: 91kg – 200 lbs

Athletic testing results (from Adidas Eurocamp)

  • 3/4 Court Sprint: 3.488 seconds
  • Lane Agility: 11.163 seconds
  • Reaction shuttle: 2.936 seconds
  • No step vertical: 86cm – 34 inch
  • Approach vertical: 97cm – 38 inch

After a successful career at the University of Connecticut crowned with 2 NCAA titles, Niels Giffey is a borderline NBA Draft pick at the moment. Having developed into a specialist for the 3&D game, Giffey has  the potential to become a role player in the NBA even if his future will most likely be in Europe. After being a highly versatile forward before leaving to the US, Giffey can adapt his game to specific roles which makes him a valuable asset for any team that signs him. Gifted with excellent physical capacities (nice wingspan, great results on reaction shuttle or verticals) Giffey should be able to make the transition to the NBA as he was used to play on the highest College level against top athletes. Certainly a player for the Small Forward spot on the next level, Giffey has more to give than just being a catch-and-shoot player but his first step might not be explosive enough to beat defenders on the drive.

The German forward has understood the game and is an excellent player off the ball to get the easy points on the backdoor cut or on the opportunistic put back. His lateral speed is good enough to guard the average NBA forward and his long arms help him to get a steal or a block shot here and there. Never giving up on the court and being the perfect team mate, Giffey will most likely never be a star on the highest level but his talent can be used by multiple teams that need a player for some specific roles. If Giffey chooses to come back to Europe, he will most likely be an immediate impact guy on the highest level with his different skills and his above average athletic abilities for the continent.

NBA Draft 2014 Outlook

Workouts: Utah Jazz, Philadelphia 76ers, New York Knicks, Detroit Pistons, Toronto Raptors, Dallas Mavericks, Boston Celtics

Without much hype, Giffey was one of the best European College players this season. This does not guarantee him a Draft spot this spring though. The German prospect could be an option for some franchises at the end of the second round in order to get his rights for the future and see how he develops outside of the UConn system. I would not be surprised though if Giffey does not get drafted at all but finds a team as free agent to show his value during the NBA Summer League.

3 responses so far ↓

  • 1 NBA Draft 2014: Niels Giffey | European Prospects | Niels Giffey | Gambling Basketball Club // Jun 25, 2014 at 6:29 am

    […] Hard Passer Jun 24th, 2014 0 Comment nba europe players teams – Google Blog Search NBA Draft 2014: Niels Giffey | European Prospects | Niels Giffey Name: Niels Giffey (GER); Date of birth: 9th June 1991; Current Team: Graduated at UConn Huskies (USA); Stats: 8.4ppg (54.0% FGs – 48.3% 3FGs), 3.8rpg (NCAA D1). Body Measurements (from Adidas Eurocamp). Height with shoes: 2m01 – 6 feet 7 inch; Wingspan: 2m08 … Without much hype, Giffey was one of the best European College players this season. This does not guarantee him a Draft spot this spring though. The German prospect could be an option for … more info… […]

  • 2 NBA Draft 2014: Niels Giffey | European Prospects | Niels Giffey – Bets 911 // Jun 27, 2014 at 12:17 pm

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  • 3 Ranking the Boston Celtics’ Most Tradeable Assets – Bets 911 // Sep 19, 2014 at 7:10 pm

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