Desired Attributes for College Basketball Players
First of all scouting services have their limitations. The legit ones will only rank players they have a chance to see play. The best scouts will see players at least 4 or 5 times (min) before making up their minds.
Keeping that in mind, players are ranked using the 3 basic factors (S's).
1) Size - Height, strength, body type by senior year. Ideal size by division.
High Major D1 (Pac 10, Big 12, Big East, ACC, SEC)
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PG ~ 6'0 to 6'4
2G ~ 6'3 to 6'6
WF ~ 6'5 to 6'8
PF ~ 6'8 to 6'10
C ~ 6'10 to 7'2
Mid Major D1 (WCC, Big West, Mountain West, WAC)
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PG ~ 5'11 to 6'2
2G ~ 6'2 to 6'5
WF ~ 6'4 to 6'7
PF ~ 6'6 to 6'8
C ~ 6'8 to 6'10
Low Major D1 (Big Sky), NAIA D1, NCAA D2
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PG ~ 5'10 to 6'1
2G ~ 6'1 to 6'3
WF ~ 6'3 to 6'5
PF ~ 6'5 to 6'7
C ~ 6'7 to 6'9
NAIA D2, NCAA D3
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PG ~ 5'9 to 6'0
2G ~ 6'0 to 6'2
WF ~ 6'2 to 6'4
PF ~ 6'4 to 6'6
C ~ 6'6 to 6'8
2) Speed, athleticism, jumping ability ~ You must have it relative to your peers.
If you're a half step slow at your position, you must be bigger or longer to make up for it. If your a full step slow, that's not your position or level.
If you're more athletic and/or stronger at your position then your peers, you can be a little shorter, typically 1" below the low range. If you're super athletic maybe 2" below max.
3) Skill ~ Ideal attributes by position.
PG ~ Great ball handler, great passer, great feet. Great defender. A team first guy. A leader. You've got to set the table.
2G ~ Great shooter (especially the 3), good ball handler, good passer. Adept and versatile scorer, quick, smart defender.
WF ~ Great slasher who can go over the top to finish. Good mid-range game. 3-pt shot is bonus. Adequate ball handler, good passer. Long, quick defender.
PF ~ Great rebounder, good shot blocker. Long, strong, quick footed defender. Good hands, good mid-range shooter. Good finisher 8 ft and in. 3-pt shot is bonus for 4-out, 1-in offense.
C ~ A beast. Protector of the paint. Great rebounder and shot blocker. Strong, good footwork, smart defender. Great finisher 8 ft and in.
In the end colleges make up their minds who they want. The scouting services don't make decisions for them. However colleges look at players in much the same way.