T.J. Bickerstaff

BORN: 02/02/2002

LAST TEAM: James Madison Dukes (NCAA)

HEIGHT: 206 cm

WEIGHT: 100 kg

PRO

• Excellent rebounder
• Ball handling
• Room for improvement as a center

WEAKNESSES

• Free-throw percentages
• Non-existent outside shooting
• Deficient low-post skills

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INTRODUCTION

T.J. Bickerstaff is a center (or power forward) that began his college journey at Drexel University (Dragons – CAA), later transferring after two seasons to Boston College (Eagles – ACC), and finally to James Madison University (Dukes – Sun Belt) for his last college season. The statistics in the first four seasons are not particularly impressive, with career highs of 10.2 points per game (in his second season at Drexel) and 7.2 rebounds (in his first year at Boston College).

However, in his current season at James Madison, he is showing significant improvements in various aspects, starting with averages of 14.0 points and 8.5 rebounds. While he played as a forward in the last years at Boston College, this season he has been shifted to the center position. This makes him a dynamic center, though his low-post skills needs improvement. He lacks a three-point shot in his ability, attempting only 4 shots in the season. His free-throw shooting is also in average at 64%, despite shooting at 83% at Drexel.

Moving on to the strengths of his game: he is an excellent rebounder (8.5), including offensive rebounds (2.6). For a center, he possesses excellent ball-handling skills and can often bring the ball up the court, leading offensive transitions. As mentioned, his post skills needs improvement, but he has good vision (1.7 assists) and prefers finishing and attacking towards the basket (shooting 62.8% from the field). T.J. Bickerstaff lacks significant rim-protector ability (only 0.4 blocks on average), but he can be an interesting tactical asset defending multiple positions. Paradoxically, he may struggle more with static post defense. His pick-and-roll performance is average.