National Basketball Association

DeAndre Bembry Is More Versatile Than You Thought

Published Jun. 30, 2017 6:28 p.m. ET

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DeAndre Bembry always brings versatility to the floor. But recently, he has been showing his skill handling the ball. Could he play some time at point guard?

Since being drafted No. 21 overall by the Atlanta Hawks in this year’s draft, DeAndre Bembry’s game has been dissected in pretty much every way possible.

The things we knew: extremely high basketball IQ, great size for a rookie, and versatility to play multiple positions on both ends of the floor. By multiple positions, it could be assumed that shooting guard, small forward, and at very rare times, the stretch power forward.

But what about point guard?

Throughout these first couple days of training camp, Bembry has shown his teammates that facilitating could be a viable option this season.

“I have been playing (point guard) a lot this summer, throughout summer league first and then pickup games,” Bembry told Chris Vivlamore of the AJC. “After a while, they started to realize that I can play with the ball in my hands. That’s where I wanted to get, gain that trust throughout my teammates. Not just, ‘Who is this rookie out here with the ball? Gimme the ball.’ Now, it’s, ‘Alright, he got it. Let’s go.’

Let’s face it, even if the players believe in Bembry’s abilities to play point guard, it’s head coach Mike Budenholzer that he has to win over in order for it to carry into the regular season.

Budenholzer had this to say on Bembry’s play:

“He’s got a vision, a willingness to pass and a willingness to play unselfishly. As he continues to improve his handle, he’ll be better,” Budenholzer said. “I think he’s a high I.Q. player, a guy who could be a second-side playmaker.”

Bembry did it all for St. Joesph’s last season averaging 15.7 points, 6.7 rebounds, and 3.6 assists per game.

It’s often difficult to judge a player off assists in college. You have to take into mind that their teammates aren’t going to shoot as efficiently as NBA players will. With that being said, Bembry should have no problem dishing out his share of dimes if Budenholzer lets him control the ball more often than assumed originally.

Leading up to training camp, there was nothing but good things said about Bembry on and off the floor. He continues to impress everyone in the organization thus far and the first preseason game hasn’t even taken place.

There is a good chance that Bembry will surprise a ton of folks this season. Kudos to Budenholzer and the organization for getting such a talent at the no. 21 selection.