New Orleans Pelicans Draft: 3 Sleepers the Pels Should Consider

New Orleans Pelicans Sleeper Prospects: Sam Merrill

Sam Merrill: Shooting Guard, Utah State

Sam Merrill has the double whammy of being an older prospect who went to a small school, so it’s not surprising he has been largely overlooked.

This is all changing though, as Merrill has moved up draft boards in recent weeks, so he may no longer qualify as a “sleeper” though most casual basketball fans won’t know his name.

Merrill was a four-year player at Utah State, so comes into the draft at age 24, four years older than Zion Williamson and two years older than Lonzo Ball and Brandon Ingram.

Merrill does one thing extremely well and that is shoot the rock. He shot 42% from behind-the-arc in his four-year career, including 41% last season on 6.8 attempts per game.

Merrill has “instant offense” written all over him, as he can not only shoot, but is a smart passer who doesn’t turn the ball over or make many mistakes.

Merrill could potentially make J.J. Redick tradable, though Redick is a much better defender and all-around player, especially at this point.

With so many teams desperate for shooting, Merrill may end up going higher than people expect, but he is projected to go near the middle to late second round, so could be there when the Pelicans choose at 42 or even 60.