Draft prospect profile: Shane Larkin

We're continuing our Celtics NBA Draft preview with a profile of Miami point guard Shane Larkin. We'll preview the best fits for the Celtics up until the 2013 NBA Draft on June 27. Boston owns the No. 16 pick in this year's draft.

Shane Larkin Position: Point guard Age: 20 Height/weight: 5-10, 171 pounds Last played: University of Miami 2012-13 stats: 14.5 points, 4.6 assists, and 2.3 turnovers in 36 minutes DraftExpress.com projection: No. 14 pick

Strengths: Pick-and-roll, agility, speed, scoring. Larkin's 44-inch vertical leap was the second-highest ever recorded at the combine.
Weaknesses: Size, defense

Skinny: Undersized guards are something of a trend following Nate Robinson's standout performance for the Bulls in this year's playoffs. Robinson aside, the Celtics could use someone to run their offense when Rajon Rondo goes to the bench (or in case Rondo isn't ready for the start of the season). On Monday we profiled German point guard Dennis Schroeder. Larkin is more ready to contribute now.

If you watched college basketball this season you're familiar with the explosiveness which Larkin possesses. The Celtics are familiar, too. Larkin was high school rivals with Doc Rivers's son Austin in Orlando. He played at Miami for Jim Larranaga, father of Celtics assistant Jay Larranaga. The Celtics have already brought him in for a workout.

“For me, I think he showed the things I’ve watched over the last two years in playing for my father,” said the younger Larranaga, who ran the workouts. “Shane, I thought he did what he normally does. He’s a very athletic, unselfish, tough player.”

Larkin's father, Barry, is a Hall of Fame shortstop for the Cincinnati Reds.

The scouting report below is from the diligent work of DraftExpress.




(boston.com)