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RICKY LINDO JR, Panama / Kouvot FINLAND
Standing at 6’8, Ricky Lindo Jr falls into the tweener-forward archetype. He combines a muscular upper-body and powerful legs with impressive athletic tools that instantly pop out when you watch him. For those who follow the NCAA, Lindo is a familiar name with a solid 5-year career with two programs from the Washington DC area, Maryland Terrapins and George Washington. Ricky, a Washington native himself and former ball-guard in high school until a 6-inches growth spurt pushed him to the wing at 16, jumped into the professional ranks last summer signing his first professional contract in the Finish Korisliiga with Kouvot after some pre-draft workouts with NBA franchises.
Ricky Lindo Jr. is the second (@GW_MBB) standout to participate in the 2023 #NTXcombine. Lindo ranked 5th in the Atlantic-10 in rebounds and double-doubles and also 7th in blocks. pic.twitter.com/B9J5Vi3Dhx
— NTX Combine (@ntxcombine) May 1, 2023
Lindo’s initial appeal is fuelled by his leaper ability off one/two-feet, exceptional high-motor and elite speed on the open floor. Ricky is reactive and explosive in short distances too, always plays above the hoop (52 dunks/season), and has become a massive off-ball/baseline threat (1.44 PPP). He capitalizes on mismatches and does serious damage at the rim (67.6% efficiency) while being a nuisance on the offensive glass, able to beat classic big men in box-outs (2.1pts/game off put-backs).
Nevertheless, it’d be a shame to summarize Lindo’s profile as a play-finisher and transition menace (71.7 FG%), when he’s outgrown his college repertoire over the last few months in Finland, and we could see flashes of this in the FIBA window against Uruguay.
#AmeriCupQualifiers Really liked Ricky Lindo Jr (00) dynamic display vs Uruguay: 10.5pts, 7.5rbs, 1.5stl & 1.0ast in two games
The former @GW_MBB player is a 6'8 high-motor two-way forward that thrives in transition+off-ball, can handle & also shoot the three #FibaYouthBball 🇵🇦 pic.twitter.com/r36vK2TDH7
— MaceoBaller (@MaceoBaller16) February 29, 2024
For starters Lindo has vastly increased his 3pt-shooting volume snice his college days, and boasts almost a 40% over 3.6attemps/night in the Korisliiga. A good portion of those attempts are off-the- catch, when Lindo relocates and stretches the floor waiting for the kick-out/extra pass to shoot his clean two-motion form mostly above the break rather than from the corner. But another good share of those looks comes from pull ups off the dribble when he operates as ball-handler in pick-and-roll and handoffs actions. Ricky is particularly prolific from the top of the key with an awesome 56% for the year.
That’s how starts. Because Lindo’s firepower opens exciting avenues for his dribble way beyond attacking closeouts. Ricky scores over 6.5pts/game in ball-screen and catch-and-drive plays in the Korisliiga, and at the same time he plays through picks and improves his touch and footwork. As a slasher, there’s a lot of hang-time and body control involved as well, but Lindo still needs to tight his handle to keep turnovers under control. Anyhow, Ricky is embracing this larger offensive role and enjoying the reps on the ball, which might never had happened in a more competitive scenario.
¡GO FOR IT!🔥💪🏽🏀
Buenas noticias para Ricky Lindo , quien es anunciado como nuevo jugador del @Kouvot , del baloncesto finlandés 🏀#TigoSportsPA pic.twitter.com/kRY7fW9FTJ
— Fox Deportes Panamá (@foxdeportes_pa) August 14, 2023
Can Lindo’s game translate to a tougher competition? Presumably, he would see his playing time shrink as a functional role-player with well-defined strengths (catch-n-shoot, off motion plays…) and less shot-making and usage (23.3%). Defensive versatility should be Ricky’s calling card here. Lindo is long, physical and switchable, and can chase forwards, wings and guards alike through screens. He can recover and contest his man in a hurry as well, and act as a weak-side help defender with his shot-blocking instincts. All things considered, Lindo is perhaps better suited to play the 3 in a top league, but as far as mobile and energetic outlier-wings go, the Panamanian is well worth a punt next season. Watch this space and watch Ricky Lindo Jr moving up in a few months.
#CollegeHoops Ricky Lindo Jr 🇵🇦/🇺🇸 (00) was everywhere vs La Salle w/ his 5th double-double of the year: 16+11, 3blk & 3stl
A versatile defender+play-finisher at 6'8, the GW forward plays w/ a high-motor, rebounds on both ends & excels in transition #RaiseHigh #A10MBB #CBBGlobal pic.twitter.com/HqgvSqZQDq
— MaceoBaller (@MaceoBaller16) March 1, 2023
