Jim Larranaga shares how Wooga Poplar can become NBA-level player

Wooga Poplar has been playing his best basketball of the season as of late, and Miami head coach Jim Larranaga believes the sophomore guard has legitimate pro potential.

Larranaga told a story about Antonio Daniels, and player he coached back at Bowling Green that went from a sub-400 prospect, trusted the process and turned into a 13-year NBA veteran. He ended up being the No. 4 overall pick in the 1997 NBA Draft. Tracy McGrady was taken ninth in that draft if that says anything.

Now, Larranaga sees that same type of potential in Poplar. He just has to clean up one aspect of his game before that happens.

“He’s a tremendous athlete with a tremendous shooting touch. When he goes after a rebound, he skys above everybody,” Larranaga said. “But what I told him, is different than what I told Antonio Daniels. You’ve got to shoot the pull-up, you can’t be trying to get the rim all the time like you did in high school. Shoot the open 3, but your game is going to be based on 15-foot jumpers off the bounce. … He’s starting to do that more regularly and is enjoying success.”

Over the last five games, the 6-foot-5 guard has averaged 10.4 points and 4.0 rebounds — higher than his season averages of 7.8 points and 3.0 rebounds as a first-year starter for the ‘Canes. It’s a big step up from his role as a freshman reserve averaging 2.3 points in 8.6 minutes per game.

Poplar still has time to develop his skills over the next few months before testing the NBA waters. Another year in college would do the sophomore good, but enough positive feedback could convince him to leave early and hone his game in the G-League.

He’s currently projected to be selected mid-to-late second round. With one more year of development on his current trajectory, it would be hard to deny his case for being at least a late first-rounder in one years time.