Profiling the NBA Draft, late 1st Round: Moe Harkless

In addition to the 4th overall pick on June 28th, the Cleveland Cavaliers also own the 24th, 33rd, and 34th selections. In a continued look at who could be available late in the first round for the Cavs this Thursday, below is our final installment of this series on Moe Harkless from St. John's.

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No. 20 – Moe Harkless, Freshman, St. Johns; 2011-12 stats: 15.3 ppg, 8.6 rpg, 44% shooting


In what was a bit of a rough season for St. Johns, due in part to head coach Steve Lavin’s illness, one of the bright spots was freshman wing Moe Harkless. the Queens, New York product put together a very nice season, sort of under the radar, and has turned himself into a first round Draft Pick.

Harkless is another one of these players that is a long and athletic wing. He has tremendous size for a 3, standing 6-9. Physically, he is ready for the NBA. His athletic and leaping ability will be his greatest assets when he enters the League. Offensively, he does a lot of his damage in transition and attacking the rim. He is extremely quick and agile for a player of his height, and is tough to stop when he gets a head of steam. Harkless is also a superb rebounder and shot blocker. He excelled at both areas in college, and there is no reason it cannot translate to success at the next level for him.

At times this season, Harkless would take some plays off occasionally. He was not always as aggressive or assertive as he should have been for a player of his talent. He has the ability where he could have really been a force for the Red Storm, but was never able to consistently play with that aggression. Harkless also lacks a consistent jumper right now, but I always feel that is something that can be developed. If he is able to improve on his jump shot and become more of a complete scorer, Harkless could be lethal.

If Harkless is there at 24, he could be our guy for the Cavaliers. He has the potential, if we can be patient, to possibly be the steal of this Draft. He has the athleticism and the skill to be an impact player and potential All Star. That’s if he is there. There is a good chance somebody snags him before the Cavs because they see what many people see in him. With the Draft only a few days away, we will know soon enough.

Our previous posts in this series can be found here: Andrew Nicholson, Will Barton, Draymond Green, Jeff Taylor, Evan Fournier, Royce White, Quincy Miller,Fab Melo, Marquis Teague and Tony Wroten Jr.

Be There Thursday: Cavs Draft Tweet-Up June 28th at Mullarkey's Irish Pub with the Social Dudes - hope you can make it!