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Cavaliers draft: 3 point guards to replace Raul Neto in NBA Draft

By Josh Cornelissen

Reece Beekman, Virginia Cavaliers and Tyrese Proctor, Duke Blue Devils. Photo by Grant Halverson/Getty Images
Reece Beekman, Virginia Cavaliers and Tyrese Proctor, Duke Blue Devils. Photo by Grant Halverson/Getty Images /
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Cleveland Cavaliers
Reece Beekman, Virginia Cavaliers. Photo by Bryan Bennett /Getty Images /

Cavaliers point guard draft prospects: Reece Beekman, Jr, Virginia Cavaliers

From Ralph Sampson to Malcolm Brogdon, the Virginia Cavaliers have both an awesome mascot and a long history of placing players in the NBA. Reece Beekman has the potential to be the latest example of someone going from Charlottesville to the NBA Draft.

The 6’3″ Beekman is part of one of college basketball’s best defenses, and not simply because of the talent around him. Beekman was the ACC Defensive Player of the Year as the tip of the spear for Virginia’s famous “pack line” defense. That scheme famously generates few turnovers, but Beekman still averaged 1.8 per game.

His offensive impact was much more muted. This season, his third with the Cavaliers, he averaged a career-best 9.4 points per game. He has increased his assist totals as he runs the offense, averaging 5.3 per game. His 3-point shot, while slightly improved, is still a shaky 25.5 percent.

Beekman will need to shoot to be more than a two-way type of player, but his defensive impact lays the groundwork for him to be a future rotation guard if the shot does come around. The Cavs can use defense in the backcourt if it comes in a well-balanced package. A run from Virginia in the tournament could allow him to showcase his shot.