Player analysis: Mizzou 4-star commit Aidan Shaw

Aidan Shaw is a 6-foot-8, 190-pound senior small forward out of Stillwell (Kan.) Blue Valley High School and is a four-star prospect in the class of 2022 by On3. Shaw has committed to Missouri coach Cuonzo Martin .

Why Aidan Shaw is special?

Defensive Discipline
Aidan Shaw uses his height to be a disruptor on the defensive side of the ball. He contests shots in the half-court, at the rim and off of a jump shot. Shaw uses his height and wingspan to close out on defenders and rarely falls for a pump fake. Shaw also has a knack for using his length, speed and height to get chase down and blocks in transition. 

Methodical Play Style 
Speed is a big part of basketball today, but sometimes slowing it down can lead to higher percentage opportunities. Aidan Shaw relies on taking his time and making intelligent decisions regarding his game. The offense is usually slowed down to a half-court game when he is the primary ball-handler, using ball screens and back door cuts to find openings. Even coming off a pick and roll, Shaw will not always burst toward the rim. He will wait for the defense to expose any opportunities. From there, he can either pull up, hit the roller, or dish it to another open defender. 

Finding Open Teammates 
Being the tallest on the court will usually draw a majority of the defense to a player in the post. However, Aidan Shaw plays a majority of the game on the wing. Being 6-8, Shaw tends to draw most of the court’s attention but has the vision and court awareness to get himself out of double and pass out of triple teams. Shaw can use his height and basketball IQ to make the best decision for the offense. He finds cutting or trailing teammates or kicking it back out to the perimeter when stopped at the rim. Shaw has the passing ability of a point guard at the size of a small forward. 

Aidan Shaw NBA comparison

Kyle Anderson is known around the league for his “Slow-Mo” nickname for his slow and methodical approach to the game. Like Anderson’s game, Aidan Shaw has a slow and methodical method to his game that allows him to make intelligent decisions. Both are good finishers at the rim, using their height and have jump shots to extend the defense to the perimeter. Both guys hold their own against more significant matchups and use their IQ and length to disrupt any shot taken when it comes to the defensive side.