Kezie Okpala

[CP War Hawks]

Watch on YouTube

[Nazrmohamed]

I dont see the skill level or athleticism to rate him a high prospect but he does look like one of those players the Spurs grab at 30 and with thier system build a solid career.

[Capn'O]

I wish that clip had more pullup and shooting action but he was getting to the rim at will so why deviate from that...

[nolang1]

Based on his first two games I was ready to declare him a first-rounder at least. The main two things that have given me pause on considering him a lottery/top 10 sleeper:

1. free throw shooting and free throw rate have regressed basically to where it was last year when after the first two games he was 83% on 12 attempts per game. I don't put as nearly as much stock as most people in the whole 'if you aren't a good free throw shooter in college you can't shoot threes in the NBA' thing, but for players who can get to the basket and finish like he can, hitting 80+ percent on free throws would have been a huge bonus not just in terms of the extra free throws made but in allowing Okpala to be even more confident in attacking the basket.

2. he is extremely right-hand dominant to the point that if he were left-handed we would be subject to all sorts of jokes and memes about how he has no right hand. Somehow it's not as nearly as big a deal to people when it's a righty rather than a lefty even though it's equally limiting to a player's effectiveness (if not moreso because lefties are at least rarer and more difficult to guard for the average right-handed player).

[doordoor123]

Underrated. Could develop into a bigger Danny Green. Will end up being a late lottery pick because there just aren’t many guys who can do what he is able to at his size (meaning shoot threes — from the corner too, slash, defend, pass in the P&R and rebound.)

[PLO]

Outplayed by Louis King yesterday.

[Stillwater]

Outplayed by Louis King yesterday.

Yeah my main concern with Okpala is the bb iq

[doordoor123]

Outplayed by Louis King yesterday.

Yeah my main concern with Okpala is the bb iq

Louis King has fallen back down to earth the last couple games. I think it was more that he’s not playing as well generally than it is that Okpala outplayed him. King has the ability to outplay Okpala, but he’s still a young player trying to understand his own game.

[PLO]

Outplayed by Louis King yesterday.

Yeah my main concern with Okpala is the bb iq

Louis King has fallen back down to earth the last couple games. I think it was more that he’s not playing as well generally than it is that Okpala outplayed him. King has the ability to outplay Okpala, but he’s still a young player trying to understand his own game.

I'm not sure you understood what I tried to write, which is my own fault: Louis King played better than KZ, just in terms of being more impressive: KZ blew past King a few times, but its pretty obvious King is the higher IQ player at this stage, as Stillwater hinted at.

[doordoor123]

Yeah my main concern with Okpala is the bb iq

Louis King has fallen back down to earth the last couple games. I think it was more that he’s not playing as well generally than it is that Okpala outplayed him. King has the ability to outplay Okpala, but he’s still a young player trying to understand his own game.

I'm not sure you understood what I tried to write, which is my own fault: Louis King played better than KZ, just in terms of being more impressive: KZ blew past King a few times, but its pretty obvious King is the higher IQ player at this stage, as Stillwater hinted at.

YEah, I’m about to watch the game. I was going to also say I’m not really that high on Okpala anymore. It’s really up and down with him for me. I love his size and ability to stroke it. He’s also an okay defender and passer. He lacks fluidity and a first step. I’m not sure how translatable his defense will be, but the size alone will help. I think he’s kind of a safe pick, but not a unique player. I don’t see him as a basketball player, more like a Roleplayer. He also isn’t a transition player and that could hurt him. He’s not quick in transition and doesn’t defend in transition.

[Catchall]

Okpala reminds me a bit of Robert Horry at Alabama.

[Roddy B for 3]

I'm debating him and Rui for my top 5.

I think defensively he could be 2010 Lamar Odom like and offensively a smaller, less explosive Tyson Chandler.

I see no reason he can't be as good as Montrel Harrell.

[MemphisX]

I'm debating him and Rui for my top 5.

I think defensively he could be 2010 Lamar Odom like and offensively a smaller, less explosive Tyson Chandler.

I see no reason he can't be as good as Montrel Harrell.

Oh wow...I do not see him comparable to any of those guys. Not in level of play or style of play.

[Roddy B for 3]

I'm debating him and Rui for my top 5.

I think defensively he could be 2010 Lamar Odom like and offensively a smaller, less explosive Tyson Chandler.

I see no reason he can't be as good as Montrel Harrell.

Oh wow...I do not see him comparable to any of those guys. Not in level of play or style of play.

A 6'10" long arm fairly mobile post defender who is strong and defends upright but can still pick up switches on the perimeter and lead them into the help defense is what I think Odom and Okpala both are defensively.

I think on offense he's a good college level rim runner and has some basic moves from inside 17'. I probably inderrate Tyson Chandlers ability to catch the ball but other than that I think he will have a very basic offensive skill set, similar to TC. He will probably develop into a good spot up shooter from 3.

KZ is definitely a top 10 guy for me right now. Where do you have him and who do you think he plays like?

[clyde21]

slightly bigger, less athletic Kelly Oubre

[doordoor123]

slightly bigger, less athletic Kelly Oubre

He has a better feel than Oubre and is more fluid. Still Oubre is more athletic, has bigger hands, brings more energy and he’s better around the rim. Oubre was also drafted as one of the youngest in the draft so I think the comparison makes sense for Okpala’s age.

[clyde21]

slightly bigger, less athletic Kelly Oubre

He has a better feel than Oubre and is more fluid. Still Oubre is more athletic, has bigger hands, brings more energy and he’s better around the rim. Oubre was also drafted as one of the youngest in the draft so I think the comparison makes sense for Okpala’s age.

they'd be 6 months apart draft time

[Stillwater]

He could become a solid nba starter or more with the right work ethic and coaching etc. Still has several holes in his game for sure, but I don't think that would stop somebody from taking him in the top 20 of this draft given the overall physical make up of this kid is above avg.
There are so many prospects in this draft that will get picked as 2nd or 3rd year projects with solid foundations and good upside yet with lesser polish to their games . The "more proven assets" who have less to do to be considered assets in the league and often get over hyped as high ceiling targets because of what they already do well could still go higher, but may not be the best long term picks.
A couple of the prospects in this one who have more advanced skill sets currently in place than Okpala and similar prospects, don't necessarily have as much upside as he or similar prospects do really. But for teams who need more proven skills floors and instant transfer of known skill sets despite a lot of them not having the same level of upside as some of the projects will pass.

[Catchall]

Guys with KZ's measurables don't have to be super athletic to impact a game. Put his well-rounded skillset and adequate IQ in a good system and he can put up 14/5/3 pretty easily.

I think his draft range starts around 11 and his floor is probably 17 or 18.

[Catchall]

slightly bigger, less athletic Kelly Oubre

Otto Porter?