Heat select Kentucky guard Tyler Herro with 13th overall pick

The Miami Heat picked 6-foot-6 Kentucky guard Tyler Herro with the 13th overall pick in Thursday night’s NBA Draft. He is known as a shooter, with some comparing him to Phoenix Suns guard Devin Booker.

“We feel we’ve added depth to one of the most important positions for us as far as our backcourt goes,” said Heat President Pat Riley at the conclusion of the draft. “I think Tyler has proven in his short time at Kentucky that he’s not only a great shooter, but he’s a competitor, he’s tough and he can defend. We’re very excited to have him.”

The Heat worked out Herro before the draft, but it is important to note that this pick will look like a reach for some. Will he turn out to be the electrifying shooter Heat fans hope he can become?

Miami traded or waived Tyler Johnson, Wayne Ellington and Rodney McGruder in the midst of last season. Dwyane Wade also retired, so this pick is a clear move for need. Moreover, what does this selection mean for Dion Waiters, who has two years left on his contract? Will the Heat try to move him?

From the Heat’s press release:

Herro, the 2018-19 SEC Newcomer of the Year, appeared in 37 games (all starts) as a freshman with Kentucky and averaged 14.0 points, 4.5 rebounds, 2.5 assists, 1.08 steals and 32.6 minutes while shooting 46.2 percent from the field, 35.5 percent from three-point range and shot a school single-season record 93.5 percent from the foul line. He became just the 14th freshman in program history to score at least 500 points and the eighth to connect on at least 60 three-point field goals in their first season. Herro earned All-SEC Second Team honors, was an All-Freshman Team selection and was named to the NCAA Midwest Regional All-Tournament Team. The three-time SEC Freshman of the Week led the team in three-point field goals made (60), free throw percentage, minutes (1,206), starts and double-figure scoring efforts (29) while finishing second on the team in points (519), scoring average, assists (91), steals (40) and field goals made (186).