Overview
Larsson played four years at the college level, spending his freshman year with Utah and the subsequent three campaigns with Arizona. Larsson started in 18 of his 25 appearances as a freshman for the Utes, averaging 8.2 points, 3.2 rebounds and 2.8 assists per contest. He moved to Arizona as a sophomore, but his tenure with the Wildcats didn’t begin well, as Larsson started in just two of his 37 appearances while logging a career-low 20.7 minutes per game. Larsson started 18 times in his junior year and experienced a statistical uptick across the board, but he would break out for good in his senior year. Larsson started in each of his 36 appearances with the Wildcats in 2023-24, averaging 12.8 points, 4.1 rebounds and 3.7 assists per game while shooting an impressive 51.9% from the field and an elite 42.6% from beyond the arc. Larsson was named to the 2023-24 All-Pac 12 Second Team, a year in which he also finished sixth in assists per game.
Analysis
A 6-foot-5 guard with a strong frame, Larsson already looks the part of an NBA player who should be capable of holding his own on the defensive end. However, his biggest asset lies on offense, as he’s emerged as a reliable shooter, both in catch-and-shoot and off-ball situations. Due to his athleticism and strong frame, he’s a threat when finishing at the rim, but there’s a strong chance his offensive game at the next level will rely primarily on his shooting ability. Larsson can also thrive in pick-and-roll situations, particularly as the ball-handler due to his excellent vision. Larsson can potentially fulfill the role of a secondary ball-handler at the NBA level, though he’d thrive even more as a catch-and-shoot alternative with enough athleticism to attack the rim if given enough space. Defensively, he should be ready to make an impact at the next level since he’s a shooting guard with the build of a small forward, though he doesn’t profile to be a difference-making presence on that end of the floor.
Projection
Larsson’s mold can be found often in the NBA right now. He’s a versatile guard who can defend multiple positions while emerging as a reliable catch-and-shoot threat, with the possibility of an even more significant role on offense if his game keeps developing. That should warrant a long career in The Association, as teams all over the league have the need for a competent wing who can make his presence felt on both ends of the court.
— Profile by RotoWire