A versatile offensive player who can score in multiple ways. He can also provide a strong presence in the paint with his rebounding prowess
BORN: –
LAST TEAM: Alabama State Hornets (NCAA)
HEIGHT: 6-3 / 191 cm
WEIGHT: 190 / 86 kg
PRO
- Athleticism
- Versatility
- Rebounds
WEAKNESSES
- 3-P consistency
- Movements off the ball
- Defensive discipline
VIDEO
ACTUAL
POTENTIAL
INTRODUCTION
TJ Madlock began his collegiate basketball journey at South Carolina State, where he made an immediate impact by earning Third Team MEAC and Freshman Team honors. He then transferred to the Hornets, where he continued to excel, being named the SWAC Newcomer of the Year. In his junior season, he elevated his performance, becoming the top scorer and second-best playmaker on the team, earning Second-Team All-SWAC honors. His leadership and consistent play were instrumental in Alabama State’s successful campaign, culminating in a historic NCAA Tournament 2025 appearance after winning the SWAC Tournament in his senior year. He was the team’s leading rebounder ahead of Ubong Okon and the best playmaker while being the third scorer. Second Team SWAC and included in the Conference Tournament Team.
PHYSICAL
T.J. Madlock is an athlete with important skills and possesses a solid frame. His physicality allows him to absorb contact and finish through physical play. His strength and explosiveness are evident in his rebounding ability and in plays above the rim. While not exceptionally tall, he demonstrates good body control and balance, enabling him to navigate through traffic effectively and drive to the rim. He runs the floor well in transition and has good lateral mobility. His durability is notable, consistently logging over 30 minutes per game throughout his collegiate career.
OFFENSIVE PHASE
T.J. Madlock is a versatile offensive player who can score in multiple ways. His ability to drive to the basket and finish through contact makes him an effective slasher. He is also adept at drawing fouls, leading the Conference in free throw attempts per game (5.3 with a 69.8% conversion rate). His mid-range pull-up shot is reliable, and in transition situations, he is good at covering space and attacking the rim. However, his three-point shooting does not allow him to create space as defenses tend to let him shoot given his 26.4% on 2.6 attempts throughout his college career. He has room for improvement in off-ball play, as he tends to be passive and less engaged when he doesn’t have the ball. T.J. Madlock can be used as a secondary handler; he has good court vision and is a capable passer (2.5 assists per game), demonstrating the ability to facilitate offense effectively. Overall, he is a player with an intriguing combination of athleticism and talent but with inconsistent shooting.
DEFENSIVE PHASE
T.J. Madlock leverages his physicality and basketball IQ to guard multiple positions effectively. He has active hands and the ability to position himself on passing lanes (1.1 steals per game in the 2024-25 season, 1.7 the year before). His athleticism makes him suitable on the perimeter, but he can also provide a strong presence in the paint with his rebounding prowess (7.1 per game). While not the quickest laterally, he can limit faster opponents with his strength and has shown improvements in foul management. However, he has room for growth in rotations and discipline, as he shouldn’t force actions on passing lanes too much, but overall he has the tools and the right awareness to become a solid player even on his own half of the court.
IMPROVED AREAS
T.J. Madlock should focus on improving his perimeter shooting, especially from three-point range, to prevent defenders from sagging off him and to enhance his spacing value. Additionally, increasing his activity off the ball, through smarter cuts and better positioning, will make him a more consistent offensive presence. On defense, refining his rotational awareness and limiting overaggressive gambles on passing lanes will help him become a more reliable and disciplined team defender. For his rookie season, he can guarantee an impact in a mid-level league, especially if played at a fast pace. Overall, his athletic potential is intriguing, and with the development of a consistent shot, he could reach significant stages.