A relentless off-ball mover and disruptive defender, this 6-foot-7 Tiger brings 3-and-D potential to the draft. Brooklyn must weigh his polished footwork against inconsistent shooting splits.
The Brooklyn Nets have two second-round picks -- Nos. 33 and 43 -- expanding the range of prospects to choose from in the 2026 NBA Draft next month.
Lorenzo J. Reyna and Matthew Feldman of the NetsRoundtable have covered various prospects who are likely second-round picks: Tennessee's Ja'Kobi Gillespie, Santa Clara's Allen Graves and Arkansas' Trevon Brazile.
Friday's profile will focus on Elias Ralph, a 6-foot-7 forward from Pacific. Ralph averaged 16.7 points, 6.8 rebounds and 1.8 assists in his senior campaign with the Tigers.
Off-Ball is Bread and Butter
Most of Ralph's shot attempts come from catch-and-shoot, cutting and designed post-up opportunities. He is always moving on the court, never staying glued to one spot.
Ralph displays the ability to make tough shots when he posts up a defender. His footwork is polished, and he is skilled at attacking the rim or rising for a tough, contested jumper.
He is also a zone buster due to his shooting ability. Ralph can flash to the middle of the zone and shoot an uncontested mid-range shot to force a scheme change from the opposing team.
Length is His Strength
Ralph is a solid defender with his 6-foot-7 frame and disruptive length. He contest shots without falling for pump fakes, and gets in the passing lanes to force steals.
The Okotoks, Alberta native averaged 1.1 blocks and 0.8 steals in his two season at Pacific. His defense paves the way for him to become one of the NBA's most valued archetypes, a 3-and-D wing.
He is also a good rebounder, averaging 6.8 rebounds and 7.3 in the last two seasons. Ralph fights for positioning by boxing out his defender, giving him an advantage in securing an extra possession.
Area of Concern
While Ralph's college tape flashes the potential of a solid role player, he has not put together a consistent stretch of shooting. He shot 40.7% from three-point range last season and 27.3% in 2024.
Ralph's shooting percentages increased, but there must be a larger sample size to confirm if his range is legitimate. He will find himself shooting more threes than having the opportunity to shot create at the professional level.
Draft Projection
Ralph has not appeared in any mock drafts, suggesting he is a primary undrafted free agent target. Brooklyn latest pick is in the early 40s, meaning Ralph would have to impress the Nets in a workout for them to draft him.
Are Nets a Fit?
Ralph is a 6-foot-7 forward who plays off-ball, can shoot and defend. The Nets have some players -- like Michael Porter Jr. -- whose futures are at stake, opening up a spot for Ralph.
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