In the preseason, Immanuel Quickley’s playmaker skills emerged. Although he is far from a refined point guard, his selfless game opens up opportunities for growth in this industry.
By simply being a threat to shoot from the perimeter, opposing teams have to compensate for this, whether it’s trapping him off the screens or betraying him on the weak side. This allows him to find teammates for open shots while using defense while respecting his range.
Quickley is probably the best way to create for others in transition when he can react within the flow of the game. We have seen him repeatedly turn a transition play into easy points around the basket or a three-way pull-up by a teammate at a disadvantage.
The Kentucky guard is also devious with his dribbling, changing pace, keeping him alive, giving himself plenty of chances to make a game for himself or others.
It’s too early to call Immanuel Quickley the surprise of the draft, but there is certainly promise in the things he showed during the preseason.