[The following scouting report is part of a series on potential 2025 draft prospects from Sports Business Classroom alumni.]

Elliot Cadeau
Frame: 6’1”,  174 lbs
Position: Guard
School: North Carolina Tar Heels (Michigan Wolverines)
2025 Draft Age: 20
Stats via kenpom.com, sports-reference.com, and geniussports.com

Offense

Cadeau doesn’t necessarily fall under the category of a draft prospect anymore, as he has decided to transfer to Michigan and play for a loaded Wolverines squad next season. Seeing how his game translates and evolves in a new landscape like the Big Ten will be interesting. In his two seasons at North Carolina at Chapel Hill, he has proven to be a high-level playmaking guard and very consistent at the high-major level. He took significant strides from freshman to sophomore year, another encouraging sign for his future. If he can continue to improve and produce at this level for another season or two in the collegiate ranks, he will undoubtedly have an excellent career. Overall, his physical characteristics are where the question marks come in–he appears to be an uber-talented guard, but his size, strength, and speed are all unimpressive, leaving skepticism about whether his game can translate to the next level.

He has proven himself more than capable as a table-setter at UNC. His 28 percent assist rate as a freshman put him in the 98th percentile nationally in terms of creating for his teammates–a rate that he improved to 38 percent as a sophomore to rank in the 100th percentile nationally (#1 assist man in the ACC). Notably, he hasn’t done this without committing his fair share of turnovers; however, his assists have far outweighed his mistakes as a facilitator throughout his career (2:1 assist-to-turnover ratio). While Cadeau wouldn’t be considered amongst the best overall playmakers in the country (due to his so-so ball security), he is undoubtedly a skilled passer/shot creator, leading to his 6.2 assists per game this past season (the leading assist man for a top-25 offense in the nation against a top-50 defensive strength of schedule).

Cadeau improved his efficiency as a scorer this past season with shot selection and shooting. He hasn’t been overly impressive as a scorer but appears capable at all three levels. Cadeau got to the rim much more often this year as a solo driver. He hasn’t been an overly impressive rim finisher (55 percent both seasons), but this has been his most efficient offense. Some improved rim finishing would make him far more effective overall. He was far better as a jump shooter away from the rim this past season. He became much more selective as a jump shooter–not only did he get to the rim more often, but Cadeau also took more threes, resulting in fewer midrange shots this past season (an area where he struggled as a freshman off the bounce). Not only did he take fewer middies this year, but when he did settle, he was also more effective on these looks. Lastly, his three-point production was also much greater as a sophomore–he took more and made more. After a cold freshman season (19 percent from deep), Cadeau shot the ball at an average 34 percent clip from deep this season. Overall, he wasn’t overly efficient or dangerous from any level, but he was far better and more than capable this season from anywhere on the floor. 

If Cadeau continues to improve his jump shot like we’ve already seen, and can even add slightly better finishing to the mix, he could make for a very versatile and hard-to-guard weapon offensively. Despite his lack of size, his ability to create and set up others is apparent.

 

Defense

Once again, Cadeau’s lack of size and strength presents question marks on the defensive end, more so than on offense. He may have a tough time finding someone of similar stature to match up with at the next level, and he may have trouble defending bigger guards. 

He’s been decent at the collegiate level at forcing steals, but not impressive by any means, and he hasn’t been able to defend without fouling, despite his lack of impact on this end. Both seasons at UNC have been highlighted by five-percent foul rates (well above-average nationally). Seemingly, opponents at the collegiate level wanted to attack Cadeau; there’s no reason to think the same wouldn’t be true at the next level. He isn’t really capable of switching to guard multiple positions, making him appear as a potential liability on this end at the next level. 

Looking Ahead

While he may not have the typical frame of an NBA guard these days, Cadeau certainly has the skill to make him a super interesting prospect. His playmaking is elite, and his scoring has been much improved (a very positive sign as he has more time at the collegiate level next season at Michigan to continue his development). The biggest question comes on the defensive side of the ball. Can Cadeau defend at the next level effectively? If so, he could resemble a guy like Dennis Schröder.