Offense
Strengths
• Incredible passer
• Good post skills
• Nice touch around the rim
• Improved face up game
• Good offensive rebounder
• Good ball-handling skills for size
Weaknesses
• Little range outside of 10 feet
• Needs to improve free throw shooting
• Can disappear for long stretches
• When driving to hoop, always looks to go to left side of basket
Defense
Strengths
• Athletic shot blocker
• Can guard players out on the perimeter
• Moves feet well, good help defender
• Good show and recover on high screens
• Gets good rebounding position
Weaknesses
• Slow to close on shooters
• Needs to use his body better pushing players off the post
Analysis
Monroe’s prospects are tied more to the player he is more than his long term potential. He is one of the best passing big men in recent history and has a nice array of offensive skills to compliment his passing. This season, he has started working a lot more on the perimeter offensively and is slowly improving his ability to drive to the rim. He is still uncomfortable working on the right side of the basket and looks often to drive across the lane to the left side. On the defensive end, Monroe is another in the long line of Georgetown big men who make it very difficult for opposing players to get to the basket. He has good shot blocking ability, and has long arms which alter the shots he can’t get to. He rebounds well on both sides of the floor. The largest knocks against Monroe are his energy/consistency and his athletic ability. If he can become a more consistent player, he should find a good spot for himself in the NBA.
- Ed Isaacson