RealGM

• protects the rim,
• scores in the post,
• hits 3-pointers from the corners.

Pro Comparisons for Top 2022 Draft Prospects


E.J. Liddell (Ohio State, PF/C, Junior)

NBA comparison: P.J. Washington

At 6'7", 240 pounds, E.J. Liddell isn't far off physically from P.J. Washington (6'7", 230 pounds), who's similarly stronger and longer than most players his height.

Like Washington, Liddell has developed into a shooting threat (37.6 percent 3PT), making it much easier for scouts to envision an NBA 4 or small-ball 5.

Neither is an explosive leaper or dynamic ball-handler, but they're skilled scorers and passers from the post, have three-point range and can block shots.

E.J. Liddell (Ohio State, PF, Junior)



E.J. Liddell has made notable strides in morphing into more of a modern big from an old-school one.

Post scoring (91st percentile) is still his bread-and-butter, but after improving his body and perimeter skill, he's become a legitimate spot-up (94th percentile) threat and fastbreak weapon. He's shooting 42.9 percent off the catch and 8-of-17 shooting off the dribble with 23 transition points in 10 games. Last season, he made six pull-ups and recorded 27 transition points all season.

The difference in Liddell's defensive playmaking may still be the most staggering. The 6'7" "big man" has more than doubled his block rate to 10.5 percent (3.0 per game). It may help NBA teams picture a 240-pound small-ball 5 who can create for himself around the block and eventually stretch the floor if his shooting continues to improve (35.3 percent 3PT).

Averaging 20.6 points on 56.0 percent from the floor, Liddell has been dominant to start his junior season. Between his impact, how advanced he is in the post, signs of a more mobile, confident face-up player and the wild defensive numbers, scouts don't sound as worried about whether he's fit in today's NBA.