Jim Brown-USA Today Sports
Name: Robert Covington
Age: 22
Height: 6-foot-9
Position: Power Forward
School/Country: Tennessee State
Latest Stats: 17.0 ppg, 8.0 rpg, 2.2 spg, 1.7 bpg, 1.3 apg
Robert Covington is your average, run-of-the-mill unheralded college basketball star. As a senior in 2012-13, Covington averaged 17.0 points and 8.0 rebounds per game for Tennessee State, but the team’s expectations were nothing special. That’s what hurt Covington’s overall attention, but regardless he has earned the right to be mentioned among the potential, second round draft picks this upcoming June.
That’s exactly where Covington could hear his name called, in fact. At 6-foot-9, Covington has all the ability to be selected in the mid-to-late second round range. He has decent size for the power forward position and he became a much more physical player over the latter years of his collegiate career. Covington has been a solid scorer and rebounder ever since his freshmen days at Tennessee State, so whichever NBA franchise selects him is hoping for similar production.
Strengths: Covington is an intriguing prospect at 6-foot-9. He is a double-double threat with his ability to both score and rebound the basketball. However, Covington has the ability to step out and shoot the three ball having averaged over four attempts per game this past season. Covington is an excellent option in pick and pop scenarios, so his rangy game could excel at the NBA level. Covington is also becoming an improving shot blocker inside.
Weaknesses: Covington needs to continue to become a more physical player. While his game allows him to stretch the floor and play the perimeter on offense, he doesn’t really have the quickness to play outside fully. Covington will obviously need to deal with a step up in competition moving forward, so that’s worth noting as well.
Draft Projection: Mid-to-Late Second Round
Follow Paul Seaver on Twitter: @PaulSeaverRS
