NBA scouts did not report on Onyeka Okongwu in October. Now they wonder if it’s the first in between in the draft.
Why did you miss it in the first place? Maybe it had to do with the Ball brothers who caught their attention in their early years in Chino Hills. In addition, being excluded from the McDonald’s All-American Game and the Nike Hoop Summit limited primary scouting opportunities for NBA teams.
Still, Okongwu was visible. Bleacher Report and other headhunters were present when he had 35 problems and 14 rebounds opposed to Zion Williamson in the 2018 Hoophall Classic. He has participated in several camps in the United States and recruitment facilities have placed him among the 30 most sensible.
His game and cut simply didn’t appear as part of the NBA screening. “Isn’t Okongwu’s offensive game for today’s NBA outdated?” asked an explorer.
Suddenly, it’s less difficult to believe Okongwu on NBA soil after averaging 16.2 problems and 2.7 blocks in 28 games at USC. Analysis indicates that their season has been historic: Okongwu joined Williamson, Anthony Davis and Karl-Anthony Towns as the only freshmen who finished with a player power score above 30 and a box of more-minus above 13.
But the problems surrounding Okongwu at the next point remain the ones that led to a tie before the season.
What is the merit of Okongwu’s offensive game?
What love do the groups show to a 6’9″ scorer? It’s not a label, especially since it hasn’t shown much shooting potential. That’s why there’s never been an NBA exaggeration outside of Chino Hills.
In the absence of classic center size, face-up or rank, how effective/dominant can you oppose NBA fronts?
Apart from cuts, flaps and rolls, most of his attack was generated through back-to-basket moves. It is worth noting that he finished in the 94th percentile in the USC in post-ups, and not just in fundamental equipment or hooks.
But there have been many cases where he has failed middle-ranking open pilots, opting to approach, only to end up taking a one-handed dispute in traffic.
Even as a forced eaves, which he had to do along with senior Nick Rakocevic, Okongwu has not yet tried much on the constant perimeter, completing with only 20 possessions in place according to the year. Although he is able to move faster and cross less than 12 feet with a dribble or two, he does not do well the responsibilities of the boys when he leaves the ball running, caring and seeing his boy and teammates around him. His 2.0 ball losses consistent with the game occurred regularly in specific situations, whether he lost the ball, telegraphed a pass or picked up a load.
And headhunters about how their score will translate can target the Washington game on January 5, when he had internal problems (4 out of 13) with possible first-round recruit Isaiah Stewart (6’9, 250 pounds).
Will Okongwu expand a rider?
Concerns about Okongwu’s path to fame will begin to fade if his rider comes to life. We saw it sporadically last season, but enough to build a shooting reliability point in the pros.
He fired 15 of 35 in suspension shots at USC, with his only triple in a full field header to ring a bell at halftime. Nine of his marks entered at 17 feet. He showed a decent touch on shorter jumpers, while his 72.0-shot percentage was encouraging.
How damaging will Okongwu become, either as a catch-and-a-shooter or as a one-on-one goalscorer with the ability to gain an edge over his man? He didn’t take any remote jumps last season.
If you can’t pick-and-pop, stretch the ground or shoot your defender, what will be its offensive value?
Will game-consistent crashes translate into an NBA defense?
Okongwu recorded a percentage of fake blocks of 9.8 in USC. As a prospect, block the percentages of the latest lottery centers in your exclusive college seasons: Jaxson Hayes, 10.6%, Deandre Ayton, 6.1%, Mohamed Bamba, 13.1%, Wendell Carter Jr., 7.6% and Zach Collins, 9.8%.
Okongwu’s quick jump, his duration and his ability to block shots. It can become super vertical from a prevention position to challenge finalists and drivers. And when you’re in front or on guard, you can slide your feet and stay glued to the rim.
However, the fire-blocking figures were not indicative of the defense of the manuals. Against Washington, he allowed Stewart to seal it or play through it on the block. Keeping the pole, it has a higher center of gravity that allows the opposing media to push it back more smoothly or make it bite a scythe.
Okongwu can simply use the running technique as it relies too much on his ability to move temporarily or jump high.
Teams thinking about him at the start of the draft will have to make sure that the 6’9 medium can anchor a defense well.
Okongwu in draft
Teams intrigued by the concept of their dominance before will discuss how to rank Okongwu against James Wiseman and Obi Toppin.
Neither Okongwu nor Wiseman can adjust Toppin’s score backwards. But his defensive clients are equally promising, and he is about 3 years older than the (former) freshmen.
Wiseman’s physical profile (7’1″, 240 pounds, 7’6″ wingspan) outperforms both by a decent margin. But since he played only 3 games in Memphis, it’s hard to feel confident in his progression opposite Okongwu after the USC middle recorded special numbers, not just when diving or fending off failures.
Okongwu also has a wonderful reputation for hard betting on Wiseman. A headhunter told Bleacher Report that at least Okongwu can be a wonderful man in the style of Patrick Beverley, appreciated for his power and defense.
All evaluators agree that Okongwu has one of the highest floors in the project. Their mobility and athletics continue to translate into simple baskets and blocked shots. Questions fear your cap for a 6’9″ wholesale sale that doesn’t offer the scoring or game versatility that drives today’s NBA.
Statistics through Synergy Sports, Basketball-Reference.com