In our previous installment of this series, we broke down some offensive and defensive strengths as well as the potential role during the upcoming season for Ronnie DeGray III. This time, we look at redshirt freshman Sean Durugordon.
OUTLOOK
It’s fairly easy to forget that Sean Durugordon isn’t a normal freshman. The New York native made his way to Columbia during the spring semester last year and got the chance to practice and travel with a Missouri team that ultimately made the NCAA Tournament, though he never suited up in a single game. Durugordon was ushered into the program by some good veterans, and with nearly a year on campus under his belt, it’s safe to say he might be ahead of the curve — which will help as he vies for minutes in what might be the strongest position for the Tigers.
OFFENSIVE IMPACT
Durugordon is a true off-ball player. In his junior season with Canterbury School (CT), he averaged 21 points, 10.6 rebounds and 2.4 assists while shooting 51.8% from the field and 43.8% from three-point range. He showed valuable touch around the perimeter, a passable midrange game, and the ability to catch the ball and attack the rim at will. Durugordon needs a handful of dribbles at most to get the shots he looks for. If he catches the beyond the arc, he’s generally shooting the open three-pointer or taking three dribbles to get a good look at the elbow or find his way to the rim, where he excels.
Back in April, coach Cuonzo Martin told media that Durugordon and fellow freshman Trevon Brazile would be two of the better athletes in the Southeastern Conference. For Durugordon, that athleticism takes shape above the rim. According to a Tweet on his brother’s page, Durugordon measured a 38.5 inch vertical on his first attempt in December. When pairing his bounce with his 6-foot-5 frame and 7-foot wingspan, a player destined for plays at the basket emerges. Durugordon has been seen making windmill finishes look easy. The more paint touches he generates, the easier things become for him and everyone around him.
When the lane opened and the shot was falling, Durugordon proved to be a capable passer. He drew most of the defensive attention back at Canterbury with the numbers he posted. At times, that meant double teams and extra help on a player that hardly exercises his handle. But it didn’t pose a problem, as his 2.4 assists per game were comprised of impressive, high-IQ finds: A pass out of shot over the contesting defense here, threading the needle while facing help defense along the baseline and carefully finding the corner shooter there. This isn’t to say Missouri will even look for him to facilitate — at Canterbury, he didn’t do that. But it shows that even if his shot isn’t falling, there’s reason to keep him on the floor.
DEFENSIVE IMPACT
Of all the players we’ve reviewed, Durugordon is the only one to have a highlight tape devoted to defense. Thank you, Sean. The compilation is impressive, but it’s not unexpected. A number of people who have followed the wing over the past several years have given him high praise on that end. His size and wingspan make life hard on opposing players.
Durugordon will undoubtedly be one of the most disruptive defenders on Missouri’s roster. He jumps into passing lanes, often lurking like a defensive back. He’s an extremely annoying help defender equipped with active hands and good reads. With his long arms, he can pick guards clean. Anyone with a questionable handle won’t put the ball on the floor around him. He often beats ball handlers to the spot, and even met some prep post players at the rim and sent their shot away.
As for the college level, Durugordon will likely be looked to as a perimeter stopper. He’ll be able to switch from the one to the three at the very least, and while it’s unlikely to happen often, he could perhaps even defend some power forwards. Durugordon will be pivotal for Martin’s ‘switch everything’ approach and will be key in upholding the perimeter.
POTENTIAL
Martin wasn’t lying. Durugordon is a supreme athlete whose powerful and frequent dunks should be a refreshing sight for Tiger fans. He has all the necessary skills to line the wing. The only thing is, Missouri will play so many guards that several will be forced to man the unofficial small forward spot — most likely Kansas State transfer DaJuan Gordon and senior Javon Pickett. Lineups and minutes will both be confusing, particularly at that slot. But one thing’s certain: Durugordon is the truest small forward of the group. While he should have a place in the regular rotation, his minutes will be tough to pinpoint ahead of time. This year will likely serve as a developmental season for him more than anything.
KEYS TO SUCCESS
If Durugordon proves reliable, it’ll be difficult for Martin not to play him. The fifth-year coach has some difficult choices to make with lineups. But if Durugordon shoots any percentage remotely similar to what he did at Canterbury, he should play more than expected. He’s in a unique position with the way the roster has shaped up. He’ll have to endure a battle for playing time that he likely didn’t predict when committing. But he will be counted on when the Tigers’ smaller guards can’t hold up as well defensively as Martin likes.
QUESTIONS
Will his near year on campus show? His experience will matter as he fights for minutes with veterans and high-major transfers. His time with Dru Smith and friends is the one thing that separates him from the rest of the rookies. It’ll have to show, especially come league play.
How well will his shooting translate? Adding a plus-40 percent three-point shooter to the mix would go a long way for a team that ranked among the worst high-major programs from deep last season.
How often will Durugordon get the looks he likes within MU’s offense? Durugordon is an effective off-ball player, but his production has come from being depended on. While the looks he enjoys won’t require severe creation, they will require touches.
OUTLOOK
It’s fairly easy to forget that Sean Durugordon isn’t a normal freshman. The New York native made his way to Columbia during the spring semester last year and got the chance to practice and travel with a Missouri team that ultimately made the NCAA Tournament, though he never suited up in a single game. Durugordon was ushered into the program by some good veterans, and with nearly a year on campus under his belt, it’s safe to say he might be ahead of the curve — which will help as he vies for minutes in what might be the strongest position for the Tigers.
OFFENSIVE IMPACT
Durugordon is a true off-ball player. In his junior season with Canterbury School (CT), he averaged 21 points, 10.6 rebounds and 2.4 assists while shooting 51.8% from the field and 43.8% from three-point range. He showed valuable touch around the perimeter, a passable midrange game, and the ability to catch the ball and attack the rim at will. Durugordon needs a handful of dribbles at most to get the shots he looks for. If he catches the beyond the arc, he’s generally shooting the open three-pointer or taking three dribbles to get a good look at the elbow or find his way to the rim, where he excels.
Back in April, coach Cuonzo Martin told media that Durugordon and fellow freshman Trevon Brazile would be two of the better athletes in the Southeastern Conference. For Durugordon, that athleticism takes shape above the rim. According to a Tweet on his brother’s page, Durugordon measured a 38.5 inch vertical on his first attempt in December. When pairing his bounce with his 6-foot-5 frame and 7-foot wingspan, a player destined for plays at the basket emerges. Durugordon has been seen making windmill finishes look easy. The more paint touches he generates, the easier things become for him and everyone around him.
When the lane opened and the shot was falling, Durugordon proved to be a capable passer. He drew most of the defensive attention back at Canterbury with the numbers he posted. At times, that meant double teams and extra help on a player that hardly exercises his handle. But it didn’t pose a problem, as his 2.4 assists per game were comprised of impressive, high-IQ finds: A pass out of shot over the contesting defense here, threading the needle while facing help defense along the baseline and carefully finding the corner shooter there. This isn’t to say Missouri will even look for him to facilitate — at Canterbury, he didn’t do that. But it shows that even if his shot isn’t falling, there’s reason to keep him on the floor.
DEFENSIVE IMPACT
Of all the players we’ve reviewed, Durugordon is the only one to have a highlight tape devoted to defense. Thank you, Sean. The compilation is impressive, but it’s not unexpected. A number of people who have followed the wing over the past several years have given him high praise on that end. His size and wingspan make life hard on opposing players.
Durugordon will undoubtedly be one of the most disruptive defenders on Missouri’s roster. He jumps into passing lanes, often lurking like a defensive back. He’s an extremely annoying help defender equipped with active hands and good reads. With his long arms, he can pick guards clean. Anyone with a questionable handle won’t put the ball on the floor around him. He often beats ball handlers to the spot, and even met some prep post players at the rim and sent their shot away.
As for the college level, Durugordon will likely be looked to as a perimeter stopper. He’ll be able to switch from the one to the three at the very least, and while it’s unlikely to happen often, he could perhaps even defend some power forwards. Durugordon will be pivotal for Martin’s ‘switch everything’ approach and will be key in upholding the perimeter.
POTENTIAL
Martin wasn’t lying. Durugordon is a supreme athlete whose powerful and frequent dunks should be a refreshing sight for Tiger fans. He has all the necessary skills to line the wing. The only thing is, Missouri will play so many guards that several will be forced to man the unofficial small forward spot — most likely Kansas State transfer DaJuan Gordon and senior Javon Pickett. Lineups and minutes will both be confusing, particularly at that slot. But one thing’s certain: Durugordon is the truest small forward of the group. While he should have a place in the regular rotation, his minutes will be tough to pinpoint ahead of time. This year will likely serve as a developmental season for him more than anything.
KEYS TO SUCCESS
If Durugordon proves reliable, it’ll be difficult for Martin not to play him. The fifth-year coach has some difficult choices to make with lineups. But if Durugordon shoots any percentage remotely similar to what he did at Canterbury, he should play more than expected. He’s in a unique position with the way the roster has shaped up. He’ll have to endure a battle for playing time that he likely didn’t predict when committing. But he will be counted on when the Tigers’ smaller guards can’t hold up as well defensively as Martin likes.
QUESTIONS
Will his near year on campus show? His experience will matter as he fights for minutes with veterans and high-major transfers. His time with Dru Smith and friends is the one thing that separates him from the rest of the rookies. It’ll have to show, especially come league play.
How well will his shooting translate? Adding a plus-40 percent three-point shooter to the mix would go a long way for a team that ranked among the worst high-major programs from deep last season.
How often will Durugordon get the looks he likes within MU’s offense? Durugordon is an effective off-ball player, but his production has come from being depended on. While the looks he enjoys won’t require severe creation, they will require touches.
