Jarvis Varnado

Jarvis Varnado is entering his third season in the NBA. Varnado started last season in the NBA D-League but was signed by the Bulls in February. The Bulls let him walk when his contract expired, and the 76ers signed him in early March. With the 76ers, he averaged 4.3 points, 2.7 rebounds, 0.6 assists, 0.4 steals, and 1.3 blocks in 15 minutes per game through 23 games. He shot 60 percent from the field on 2.6 attempts per game and 52 percent from the free-throw line on 2.3 attempts per game. Once the 76ers acquired Varnado, he missed only one game through the end of the season. Though Varnado is thin for a big man, he is long and athletic and is most effective in the paint on both offense and defense. Offensively, he takes advantage of his speed to get around defenders. Defensively, he combines his physical strength with strong timing to grab rebounds above larger opponents and to block shots. Varnado left college as the NCAA's all-time leader in career blocks, but he struggles shooting from anywhere outside the paint. Though he's efficient from the floor, he's a poor free-throw shooter. Assuming Varnado makes the final 15-man roster, he's likely to continue to see steady bench minutes, possibly as the first man off the bench at power forward or center.