Prospect Thread: Onyeka Okongwu

[driveandkick]

Swishing one-legged fadeaways like Dirk. Range out to three now?

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Lawd

[BigSlam]

Swishing one-legged fadeaways like Dirk. Range out to three now?

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He’s much, much more lean than I thought he was.

I thought he was built more like Biz, but he doesn’t seem nearly as powerfully built in this video.


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[SWedd523]

Swishing one-legged fadeaways like Dirk. Range out to three now?

Watch on YouTube

I'm high on OO, but he's really slow to load and release those 3s. Actually getting that shot off in the NBA is going to be tough for him unless he speeds it up.

That was my initial thought. Very very slow shot.

He also loads from the opposite side of his head. Am I crazy or am I seeing more and more young players doing this **** now? Sideways slingshot crap needs to go.

I'm high on OO, but he's really slow to load and release those 3s. Actually getting that shot off in the NBA is going to be tough for him unless he speeds it up.

I see what you're saying, but "really slow to load and release those 3s" as a 20-year-old (by December) rookie is a lot better than where we thought he was before this upload.

How many times have we seen prospects dominate an empty gym with cherry picked clips designed to make them look good?

Glad he's making the shots, sure, but empty gym videos mean almost zero to me other than looking at the mechanics of specific movements, which Vanderbilt has already covered in this case.

[luciano-davidwesley]

Swishing one-legged fadeaways like Dirk. Range out to three now?

Watch on YouTube

I'm high on OO, but he's really slow to load and release those 3s. Actually getting that shot off in the NBA is going to be tough for him unless he speeds it up.

I see what you're saying, but "really slow to load and release those 3s" as a 20-year-old (by December) rookie is a lot better than where we thought he was before this upload.

As long as he's got the range he can work on speeding up the release and tidy his footwork in the jumper a bit.

He's also 6'9 so he'll be able to get off a slow release a lot more often that a shorter guard anyway. If this guy doesn't got at least top 4 some teams are really going to regret passing on him.

I wonder if someone is still higher on Toppin the defensive liability that can dunk.

[luciano-davidwesley]

Swishing one-legged fadeaways like Dirk. Range out to three now?

Watch on YouTube

I'm high on OO, but he's really slow to load and release those 3s. Actually getting that shot off in the NBA is going to be tough for him unless he speeds it up.

That was my initial thought. Very very slow shot.

He also loads from the opposite side of his head. Am I crazy or am I seeing more and more young players doing this **** now? Sideways slingshot crap needs to go.

I'm high on OO, but he's really slow to load and release those 3s. Actually getting that shot off in the NBA is going to be tough for him unless he speeds it up.

I see what you're saying, but "really slow to load and release those 3s" as a 20-year-old (by December) rookie is a lot better than where we thought he was before this upload.

How many times have we seen prospects dominate an empty gym with cherry picked clips designed to make them look good?

Glad he's making the shots, sure, but empty gym videos mean almost zero to me other than looking at the mechanics of specific movements, which Vanderbilt has already covered in this case.

Your point is valid but just remember his offence was considered limited and he is a consensus defensive stud. A guy that defends the perimeter and post so well with a serviceable enough jumpshot can be on the floor at any time.

[yosemiteben]

If he can hit uncontested threes and force coverage on the perimeter that's a significant plus. With that said, I care way more about BBIQ and vision on offense.

ETA: just watched the video, can't imagine that was even supposed to look like game speed. He was absurdly slow putting up those shots.

[amcoolio]

The footwork needs work and its slow but the potential is there. He has soft touch and plays control. I think his shot is fine, its the footwork that needs tightening

[BigSlam]

I’ll go back to the example I always use: I’ll never forget one of the Bobcats Vs Raptors games I went to, watching Diop do stuff during shoot around a couple of hours before the game and being own away that he was knocking shots down from everywhere and looking like prime Hakeem with the ball in the post with a trainer defending him.

Then 3 hours later with NBA defenders in his space him looking like the Diop I’d seen so many times during games when watching on television before.


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[driveandkick]

In KOC’s latest mock he has us taking Onyeka and says we might would even take him over Wiseman. Lfg

[fatlever]

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[Liver_Pooty]

Looking like its either going to be him or Wiseman, and im perfectly content with that.

[DY_nasty]

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while this is great - and i agree with it

still think its being broadcast to put the "hornets will trade up for wiseman" stuff to bed

[Liver_Pooty]

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while this is great - and i agree with it

still think its being broadcast to put the "hornets will trade up for wiseman" stuff to bed

Agreed

[amcoolio]

Kevin O'Connor: "The Hornets are likely targeting a big man and are heavily considering Okongwu, according to multiple league sources. Okongwu was arguably the best defensive big man in college basketball last season. Pairing him with P.J. Washington would give Charlotte a skilled frontcourt with versatility on defense and playmaking on offense. There are many NBA front offices that prefer Okongwu to Wiseman; if both are on the board, it’ll be fascinating to see which direction the Hornets go."

[cornchip]

OO over Wiseman would be tough. Maybe I'm old school but 7 ft is still 7 ft. At the same time, the appeal of the flexibility that OO provides is enticing.

Reads to me like the Hornets FO thinks the draft will go:

1. Edwards
2. Wiseman
3. Okongwu

So essentially we like him over every prospect not named Edwards (who won't be there) and Wiseman (who he's running neck and neck with).

[amcoolio]

Okongwu's passing and vision are underrated. Also has super soft touch in the paint and great hands. I think he would fit right in.

At this point I would be thrilled with Okongwu, Hayes, or Wiseman. I would be ok with Edwards and Avdija. I would be concerned with anyone else.

[Vanderbilt_Grad]

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[DY_nasty]

lol this again....

[BigSlam]

At this point I would be thrilled with Okongwu, Hayes, or Wiseman. I would be ok with Edwards and Avdija. I would be concerned with anyone else.

Add Haliburton to this list and that's where I am at as well - and I don't really have them in any specific order of want.

[bravor]

I hope this rumor is true. He is the safest bet at the top imo. Hornets can't afford to miss in this draft. Either him or Edwards should be a pretty good pick moving forward and a perfect trade bait for next couple of years.