TT Court Vision: A look at Donta Scott’s first year with the Terps

Throughout the offseason, we’ve highlighted Jalen Smith, Anthony Cowan Jr., Aaron Wiggins, Darryl Morsell and Eric Ayala in our individual player film breakdowns.

Next up, we take a look at freshman forward Donta Scott.

Scott had an up and down freshman campaign that featured some really good games like against Purdue when he scored a career high 13 points, but also some tougher games. Scott was a mainstay in the Terps’ starting lineup for most of the season, and his role should grow next season.

The freshman was not to the Terps best defender, and it was primarily his offense that kept him in the lineup. Scott possesses great feel in the post and can also beat his man off the dribble. Besides his work around the rim, Scott is able to stretch the floor and knock down threes.

Scott’s 2019-20 final stat line: 5.9 points, 3.6 rebounds and 0.5 assists per game. He shot 43.9 percent from the field and 31.6 percent from three.

Let’s take a look at eight of Scott’s best plays from this past season.

Getting it done down low

Many of Scott’s best looks this season came from the post. He often times got the ball in the high post and powered his way into the paint for a hook shot or layup.

On this play, he did exactly that. Scott recognized the advantage he had, took a few power dribbles toward the basket and skied over his defender with the hook shot.

Scott did a great job all season of using his strength to take advantage of weaker defenders, even if he was shorter than them.

This play from Scott was all about finishing in traffic.

Morsell made a nice take to the basket that attracted Scott’s defender over to help. Scott stayed in his spot on the block and received the feed from Morsell. After getting the ball, he was still able to finish after contact from the defense.

This play in Scott’s best game of the season against Purdue once again showed his strength in the post, but also patience. He set a nice off-ball for Cowan here and then rolled to the hoop.

Cowan fed Scott on the low block and the freshman took a power dribble and a few pump fakes before finishing in traffic and getting the and-one called.

Scott not only got it done in the post this season, he also scored off the dribble.

He got the ball on the wing and once again used his size and strength to get it done once he got into the paint. Scott had his man beat almost the entire way and was able to cap off the drive with a nice finish.

Three-point shooting

As shown on this play, Scott did a great job of moving without the ball this season. Here, Wiggins drove to the hoop and was met with tough defense from Northwestern.

Recognizing that the paint was starting to clog up, Scott faded out to the wing, undetected by his defender. After setting up on the wing, Wiggins was able to find Scott for the three-point attempt.

On this play, Scott was initially beat on the drive by his man on the defensive end, but he was able to recover and get a huge block that set the Terps up in transition.

Cowan began to drive to the hoop, but spotted the trailing Scott setting up for a shot on the wing. Cowan fired a bullet pass to Scott on the wing, who was able to connect to hit the open triple.

This play against Michigan State was another example of Scott setting up in the right place in the transition break.

The Terps threw it ahead to Smith, who should have had a layup, but the pass was over his head. Smith was somehow able to recognize this quick enough to throw a laser to Scott on the wing. The freshman got set quickly after receiving the pass and was able to connect for three points.

On this play against Nebraska, Maryland displayed great, unselfish ball movement. Ayala and Cowan tossed the ball back and forth a few times before Scott got set up at the top of the key for a knocked down open three.