Under the Radar: Jaret Valencia

PLAYER: Jaret Valencia

TEAM: Monmouth (NCAA)

HEIGHT: 6’9”

WEIGHT: 190

POSITION: F

AGE: 21 (02/12/03)

WINGSPAN: 7’2”

BIO

Jaret Valencia is a 6-foot-9 power forward for the Monmouth Hawks of the Coastal Athletic Association (CAA). After redshirting his true freshman season, he averaged 8.9 points, 4.4 rebounds, 1.0 assists and 1.7 blocks per game in 2023-24, earning All-CAA Rookie and Defensive Team honors.

STRENGTHS

ATHLETICISM: Valencia is an explosive athlete. While right handed, he is comfortable punishing the rim with his left. He has great hands for catching lobs, sometimes from halfcourt, and dump offs in the dunker spot. He is quick to take off in transition, often beating his defender down the floor. With a quick first step and solid handle, he can take the ball coast-to-coast on the fastbreak. His agility helps him get open on offense as well as rotate and navigate screens on defense.

DEFENSE: A reliable rim protector and on-ball defender, Valencia is capable of guarding one through four. He does a nice job staying attached to ball handlers and closing out on shooters. His mobility as a help-side defender helps him rotate and block 7-footers.

SHOOTING: Valencia shot 41.3% (19-46) from three on 1.4 attempts per game in 2023-24. He has smooth and consistent mechanics and a high release point, helping him shoot over defenders without needing much space. While he is capable of converting two point dribble jumpers, he is unproven off the dribble from three. With a solid handle and fluid shot, he can afford to increase his volume off the dribble from long range.

PLAYMAKING: While not necessarily a strength, Valencia has upside as a playmaker. He knows where the ball needs to go and where he needs to be to help create offense. He can pass in transition, in and out of the post and as a P&R ball handler. He averaged 1.0 assists and 1.1 turnovers per game in 2023-24 for a promising 0.9 assist-to-turnover ratio.

WEAKNESSES

PHYSICALITY: Valencia lacks physicality when finishing in traffic, boxing out and setting screens. An exceptional finisher above the rim, he thrives with room to explode, but sometimes struggles to convert on the ground in traffic. An active rebounder, he is quick off his feet and has great timing for putback dunks. He averaged 2.9 defensive and 1.5 offensive rebounds per game in 2023-24, but sometimes got pushed around when boxing out. His narrow frame also impacted his ability to set effective screens. His father, the late Álvaro Teherán, stood 7-foot-1 and weighed 235 pounds. Teherán was drafted at 25 years old, so genetics can still benefit Valencia in the weight room.

FREE THROW SHOOTING: Valencia shot 56.8% from the free throw line in 2023-24. While inefficient, he had some solid outings, shooting 6-for-6 against Charleston and 7-for-8 against Hofstra. His form is smooth and consistent, which projects improvement.

PRO PROJECTION/NBA COMPARISON

I envision Valencia as a G League backup and eventual starter. He offers a unique skill set as a versatile defender and lob threat who can stretch and run the floor. His measurements, athleticism, shooting ability and defensive versatility draw similarities to Jaden McDaniels of the Minnesota Timberwolves. While he has transferable skills, he is not NBA ready, mostly due to his lack of physicality when finishing in traffic, boxing out and setting screens. He will be 22 years old by the 2025 NBA Draft and will have two more years of college eligibility. After moving to the United States from Colombia in 2019, he played for three different high schools in three different states, lacking consistent development. There is a lot to like about his game, but his development, especially in the weight room, could help determine his ceiling.