Having already written about Paolo Banchero, we now look at Magic rookie Caleb Houstan, taken 32nd overall in the NBA 2022 Draft by Orlando.
Who Is Magic Rookie Caleb Houstan
The latest Orlando Magic rookie Caleb Houstan hails from Mississauga, Ontario in Canada. He is 19 years old and stands at 6ft 8 tall. He is a powerfully built young man weighing in at 205 lbs.
Houstan plays at small forward and shooting guard.
College And High School Career
Houstan went to school in Montverde, Florida where he received multiple accolades. As a senior in 2020-21 he was named Florida’s Gatorade Player of the Year. Houstan was also named a 2021 McDonald’s All-American, a Naismith Second Team All-American and to the Sports Illustrated All-American Third Team.
It has to be noted that Caleb was seen as one of the best high school prospects in the United States a year ago. He ranked 8th in ESPN’s 2021 high school basketball recruiting database. Amongst those ranked above Houstan were the top three selections in the 2022 NBA Draft, being Paolo Banchero, Chet Holmgren and Jabari Smith Jr.
Magic rookie Caleb Houstan played and started in all 34 games last season at the University of Michigan. As a Wolverine he led the in three-point field goals made. Per game he averaged 10.1 points, 4.0 rebounds and 1.4 assists. He played on average 32 minutes per game and shot 35.5% from three-point range. Houstan scored double digits in 17 of those 34 games played and had 20+ points twice.
His Game
He can be inconsistent, going from scoreless games to ones that are outstanding. Caleb is a player who can suddenly heat up and start to see his shots drop.
Attacking the basket is something that he does not do frequently. He is not a high volume shooter in the paint or at the rim. Nearly 60 percent of his shots at Michigan came from beyond the arc. His Michigan stats show that Caleb shot the three-ball 169 times, making as already highlighted 35.5% of those efforts (60 made baskets). He possesses range, being willing to shoot and make baskets from any distance.
This shooting wing is said to move laterally extremely well, creating himself space to shoot.
Defensively he is seen as very capable of guarding most positions. His build certainly helps him on the defensive end of the court.
Houstan has played international basketball as well. He has represented Canada at the 2019 FIBA Americas Under-16 Championship in Brazil and then in 2021 at the FIBA Under-19 World Cup in Latvia. In both competitions he played extremely well, ranking second and fourth respectively in scoring.
Why The Selection Of Magic Rookie Caleb Houstan?
Simply put he is a low risk for high gain selection and had been projected to be a strong 3-and-D player in the NBA.
It is important to be realistic here. Last season the Magic ranked 28th in respect of the NBA and 3-point percentage. The Orlando Magic have in all honesty not been a good shooting team from the three for many a year (and it is statistically evident).
Orlando does not need Houstan to primarily drive into the paint or to attack the basket. Those roles are already covered by the likes of Markelle Fultz, Jalen Suggs, Franz Wagner and Wendell Carter Jr. The team need reliable scorers when the defence is collapsed and the ball is kicked out to the wing.
Magic rookie Caleb Houstan could be that reliable 3-point shooter off the bench. This is why he was taken by the Magic and it is what they need him to become.
