This is a new series (if it catches on of course) where I will be going through the NBA and talking about my picks for the most underrated and undervalued players, through statistics, the eye test, and other factors. I will probably go team by team so everyone gets included. If you have a good pick for the most underrated player on your team let me know

I'm gonna start with Royce O'Neale. He is a forward for the Jazz, who spent his college at Baylor, went undrafted, and began a career overseas. The Jazz saw something in him and brought him in for training camp, and never looked back.

Royce is the EPITOME of toughness, and doing things that aren't always seen on the box score. Let's start with his defense. He is given the toughest individual matchup on the team every night. He is asked to guard everyone from Luka's to Lebron's to Simmons's to Dame's. It doesn't matter who it is, the Jazz are slotting Royce to stop them. And, all factors included, (his height, mainly, only 6 foot 4) he does an ELITE job. Everything that needs to be done on the perimeter stars and ends with Royce O'Neale.

His second best trait is easily his rebounding. He is probably the best non superstar guy under 6'7 at rebounding. He hustles for everything and has a Rodman-esque ability to know where the ball is gonna go. He uses his elite athleticism to get everything, and even when he doesn't get the ball, he is one of the best in the league at boxing out and using his freaky strength on the block. And he has to be strong to be our power forward at only 6'4.

On offense, he can seem a bit underwhelming when you only look at the box score. However, that is largely due to his role. He is a great catch and shoot dude with some ice in his veins. He uses his awesome acceleration to be a solid plus on attacking closeouts. His passing is solid and he gets offensive rebounding at a really nice rate. It is wonderful how ready and willing he is to take a back seat to this team full of guys who are just a bit more capable on offense then he is.

I must say again, that his best skill is his hustle, and basketball iq. The jazz play a notoriously hard system, and it only gets harder when you are playing Royces defend-everything role. He knows where to be at all times on the court, and when to shoot or when to make the extra pass. It is not often that he makes the wrong decision; sometimes he doesn't execute, but it is always the right move. His hustle rejuvenates the Jazz whenever he comes in, as he fights and scraps for every loose ball. The Rolls Royce is essential for the best team in the NBA, making him a very underrated player, and the first in this series.

Let me know what you guys think of this, and tell me who should be next up!