Name: Donta Scott
Height/Weight: 6-8, 230 lbs
Class: Senior
Career stats: 9.9 ppg, 1.3 apg, 5.2 rpg, 45.3 FG%
Last season in his junior year, Scott had a much different role then he was used to. At times due to the Terps lack of depth in the frontcourt, Scott would switch between the four and five which hindered his efficiency at times. That caused him to have a dip in assist per game last season but he still went on to have a career best of 12.6 points per game and 6.2 rebounds per game. Scott wound up averaging 33.3 minutes per game last season, which was also the most of his career. With the extra minutes came times where he would look tired and would look lackluster on defense at times.
Heading into this season, Scott is down roughly 25 pounds which should drastically improve his efficiency and ability to flash his outside shooting touch. This season expect Scott to have the same role as last season. The Terps will play a lot of small ball with their lack of depth in the front court once again so Scott will see a lot of time at power forward and center, though primarily the four. Scott’s strength is his ability to stretch the floor while playing as that power forward and center. Scott is a 34.8% shooter from behind the arc, so having him stretch the floor and force those Big Ten bigs to step out and defend at the three point line will help open up the floor for guard to drive down the lane and either get an easy look at the hoop or kick it out to an open guy for the three pointer. Another strength of Scott’s is his ability to rebound. After having a career year rebounding he showed he can rebound among the trees of the Big Ten solidly. His rebounding ability helped close the gap of rebounding differential last season.
In order for Scott to be successful this season, weight management was step one to help create more consistency from him on the offensive end. Scott did have a dip in shooting production from behind the arc last season only shooting 29.1% from three last season. He will be leaned on for offensive project, but Scott needs to show improved consistency as a shooter again if he wants to cement himself as a go-to scoring option. When he can consistently make the three ball, the offense is a lot more open and flows better because the floor is less condensed which it was a lot at times on the offensive side of the ball. Scott will also need to be a verbal leader on this team. Him and Hart are the two most experienced returners that the Terps have on the roster. So if he can be a vocal lead and help lead this tea and help the young guys and new comers find their way faster it wold be a big boost to the team and the program.
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