[The following scouting report is part of a series on potential 2024 draft prospects from Sports Business Classroom alumni.]

Pelle Larsson
Frame: 6’6″, 215 lbs
Position: Guard
Team: Arizona Wildcats
2024 Draft Age: 23
Stats via www.sports-reference.com, www.barttorvik.com and www.espn.com

Offense

Larsson is a sharpshooting guard who can attack closeouts and act as a secondary or tertiary playmaker. He has become more consistent as a three-point shooter, 42.6 percent on 3.0 attempts (up seven points from last year). Larsson set career highs this year in points (12.8), assists (3.7), threes (46) and field goal percentage (51.9). He is comfortable at firing threes from off the catch and movement. Larsson has a nice turnaround jumper in the mid-range that he likes to get to when driving lanes are shut off. His shooting ability opens up the rest of his game, allowing him to attack closeouts and make plays for himself and his teammates. Larsson can attack scrambling defenses, mismatches, and flat-footed defenders and has the touch and strength to finish at the basket (shooting 67.2 percent at the rim), per https://barttorvik.com.  

Finishing over length can be an issue for him as he does not overwhelm you with athleticism. He does most of his work off-ball and off of secondary creation, but he likely won’t be creating for himself or others as a primary ball-handler at the next level. Larsson is proficient at the pick-and-roll and is patient enough to let plays develop for himself or others. He led his team in assists while being primarily an off-the-ball player; this speaks to him always making the right play and reading the floor well. Larsson is an exceptional lob and entry passer who will give up good shots for better ones by making the extra pass. He can manipulate the defense with his eyes and then fire out to open shooters in the corner or rollers.

Larsson is good at relocating off the ball and is always in the right spots to give his teammates enough spacing or an outlet valve. He is a willing screener with a knack for slipping the screen for layup. Larsson is an instinctive cutter and will utilize the backdoor when his defender isn’t looking. He needs to improve his finishing with his left hand. At times, Larsson drives left and makes it harder on himself by trying to finish with his right hand. Sometimes, his unselfishness can hurt him because he can be reluctant to take open shots.

Defense

Larsson is a smart, versatile defender comfortable taking on the most challenging perimeter assignment on the other team. He does not give up on plays and is an unselfish defender, giving up his body on charges. Larsson is strong enough to hold up on switches in the post and always gives a good contest down low. He needs to improve his lateral foot speed, as he is susceptible to getting beat off the dribble by quicker guards. He can also improve screen navigation as sometimes he does not fight through screens or go under the screen when he should go over.

Larsson makes winning plays such as diving for loose balls, sprinting back on defense after a turnover and crashing the glass (4.1 rebounds per game). Occasionally, he’s too handsy and foul-prone instead of moving his feet and using his body. Larsson is a strong positional defender but needs to improve his focus, losing shooters off rotations and movement at times. He is an active off-ball defender, too and plays the passing lanes, where he set a career-high in steals (0.9 a game). While Larsson won’t be a stopper at the next level, he should be at least an adequate defender with the frame to hold up. 

Looking Ahead

Larsson’s complementary skills should suit him well in the NBA, where shooting is valued at a premium. He has shown he can thrive on playing off high-usage players like he did next to Pac-12 Player of the Year in Caleb Love. Larsson made Second Team All-Pac-12 and has glue-guy qualities that should let him stick in the league for years.

His shooting, IQ, and positional size will allow him to contribute immediately. Projected to be a second-rounder, Larsson’s shooting, IQ and positional size could lead to him contributing immediately. However, his discipline and lateral quickness on the defensive end will be tested at the next level.