Pelica Debrief
Fansided

New Orleans Pelicans: 3 late-draft candidates to watch in March Madness

By Willie Lutz

NEW ORLEANS, LOUISIANA - AUGUST 25: Executive VP of Basketball Operations for the Pelicans David Griffin talks with Pelicans General Manager Trajan Langdon during the BIG3 Playoffs at Smoothie King Center on August 25, 2019 in New Orleans, Louisiana. (Photo by Sean Gardner/BIG3 via Getty Images)
NEW ORLEANS, LOUISIANA - AUGUST 25: Executive VP of Basketball Operations for the Pelicans David Griffin talks with Pelicans General Manager Trajan Langdon during the BIG3 Playoffs at Smoothie King Center on August 25, 2019 in New Orleans, Louisiana. (Photo by Sean Gardner/BIG3 via Getty Images) /
facebooktwitterreddit
Prev
3 of 4
Next
WASHINGTON, DC – MARCH 01: Naji Marshall #13 of the Xavier Musketeers takes a foul shot during a college basketball game against the Georgetown Hoyas at the Capital One Arena on March 1, 2020 in Washington, DC. (Photo by Mitchell Layton/Getty Images)
WASHINGTON, DC – MARCH 01: Naji Marshall #13 of the Xavier Musketeers takes a foul shot during a college basketball game against the Georgetown Hoyas at the Capital One Arena on March 1, 2020 in Washington, DC. (Photo by Mitchell Layton/Getty Images) /

Naji Marshall, Wing, Xavier University

Representing the Xavier Musketeers and likely to depart following his junior season with the program, Naji Marshall could find a fit with the Pelicans as a lengthy, two-way presence.

Possessing good physical tools and showing off surprisingly good playmaking skills on drives, he’s posting 16.2 points, 6.2 rebounds, and 3.9 assists while shooting 44.8% from the field.

With NBA size and strength, Marshall seems like someone who should be a lot higher on draft boards.

However, his inability to find consistency in his shooting stroke has him shooting 31.9% from three-point range on 4.9 attempts per contest.

Clearly enjoying the big moments during his time with the Xavier Musketeers, Marshall doesn’t seem like someone who will be afraid to chase his own shot in the NBA.

While he does need to turn some corners on the defensive and not get caught in high screens, he seems like a fit for a team that plays a low-risk, switch-laden defense that’ll allow him room for error.

The New Orleans Pelicans have some history with turning Xavier men into NBA talent, the most recent example being Trevon Bluiett, but the finest example being David West, who made two All-Star teams when the franchise was still called the Hornets.

While the Musketeers have work to do if they want to make a run into the NCAA Tournament, any hot streak in the Big East Tournament could send Marshall further up the draft board.