Young Center Prospects to Consider

[Jamaaliver]

Anybody got any insight/intel on this kid?

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[tbhawksfan1]

Anybody got any insight/intel on this kid?

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Dayum! Looks great int that vid. Play D?

[Jamaaliver]

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[Jamaaliver]

Damn

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[tbhawksfan1]

I loved Edey, Clingan, Ware and Fili in this draft. Getting the #1 made BPA a must but I hoped they would make a move to bring in one of those guys.

I love the improvement on the wings but please bring in a young talented center

[Jamaaliver]

Exactly. CC is apparently on the trade block and Onyeka Okongwu is a concern. We need more from OO or we need to figure out future plans.

This was the perfect draft class to address those concerns...could have been settled by just trading back in the draft.

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[Jamaaliver]

I do believe Okongwu's emergence played a role in passing on Alex Sarr.

When healthy, he's a monster and a great fit with Trae!!

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[Jamaaliver]

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[Jamaaliver]

Khaman Maluach | Duke | Center
Size: 7'2", 250 lbs
Age: 18
Nationality: South Sudan
Pro Comparison: Alex Sarr

Spoiler:

Watch on YouTube

Athletic wow plays and flashes of shooting should help scouts look past Khaman Maluach's rawness and lengthier NBA-ready timetable.

Signs of three-point range and some mid-range touch will ignite scouts' imaginations and hint at long-term upside. But he'll likely play a simplified role at Duke and produce mostly off 7'2" size and mobility for explosive play-finishing and shot-blocking.

Rocco Zikarsky | NBL | Center
Size: 7'2", 227 lbs
Age: 18
Nationality: Australia
Pro Comparisons: Walker Kessler, Donovan Clingan

Spoiler:

Watch on YouTube

Hype has been building around Rocco Zikarsky's size, rim protection and touch. After appearing in 29 games for Brisbane last season, there was hope he'd have a bigger role in 2024-25. But he's only averaging 12.8 minutes to start the year, and aside from mostly easy-basket finishes, Zikarsky hasn't been able to show much.

The obvious draw to the 7'2" 18-year-old stems from his defensive projection. He registered a 12.2 block rate last season, though that number is down significantly through six games, and he's looked choppy trying to contest jump shots or close out on shooters.

Still, his unteachable size isn't changing, and his rim protection figures to come alive again.

Offensively, he has attempted two three-point attempts (made one), potentially an interesting development if it continues after he took two all of last year. Showing more range or even post offense will obviously help Zikarsky win more scouts over.

Bleacher Report

[Jamaaliver]

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[Jamaaliver]

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[tbhawksfan1]

Khaman Maluach | Duke | Center
Size: 7'2", 250 lbs
Age: 18
Nationality: South Sudan
Pro Comparison: Alex Sarr

Spoiler:

Watch on YouTube

Athletic wow plays and flashes of shooting should help scouts look past Khaman Maluach's rawness and lengthier NBA-ready timetable.

Signs of three-point range and some mid-range touch will ignite scouts' imaginations and hint at long-term upside. But he'll likely play a simplified role at Duke and produce mostly off 7'2" size and mobility for explosive play-finishing and shot-blocking.

Rocco Zikarsky | NBL | Center
Size: 7'2", 227 lbs
Age: 18
Nationality: Australia
Pro Comparisons: Walker Kessler, Donovan Clingan

Spoiler:

Watch on YouTube

Hype has been building around Rocco Zikarsky's size, rim protection and touch. After appearing in 29 games for Brisbane last season, there was hope he'd have a bigger role in 2024-25. But he's only averaging 12.8 minutes to start the year, and aside from mostly easy-basket finishes, Zikarsky hasn't been able to show much.

The obvious draw to the 7'2" 18-year-old stems from his defensive projection. He registered a 12.2 block rate last season, though that number is down significantly through six games, and he's looked choppy trying to contest jump shots or close out on shooters.

Still, his unteachable size isn't changing, and his rim protection figures to come alive again.

Offensively, he has attempted two three-point attempts (made one), potentially an interesting development if it continues after he took two all of last year. Showing more range or even post offense will obviously help Zikarsky win more scouts over.

Bleacher Report

i've watched some vid of these two. Like both. They are both much quicker and mobile than Clingan / Edey

Both will need a lot of time

I want one of the two please

[Jamaaliver]

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[Jamaaliver]

Whoo boy...2024 was definitely the draft class to grab a Center.

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[tbhawksfan1]

No game thread yet and I'm impatient so I'll put this here

First game I think against a giant: Donovan Clingan

Should be interesting as some Hawk's fans even mentioned taking him #1 (Jamaal)

We'll see how the frontcourt holds up against his size and D

[Jamaaliver]

First game I think against a giant: Donovan Clingan

Should be interesting as some Hawk's fans even mentioned taking him #1 (Jamaal)

We'll see how the frontcourt holds up against his size and D

Defensive Anchor sitting there available for 7 picks in a weak draft class....

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[tbhawksfan1]

First game I think against a giant: Donovan Clingan

Should be interesting as some Hawk's fans even mentioned taking him #1 (Jamaal)

We'll see how the frontcourt holds up against his size and D

Defensive Anchor sitting there available for 7 picks in a weak draft class....

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Maybe next year

[Jamaaliver]

A 7-footer that rebounds, screens, protects the rim and shoots from three...he should have been ours.

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[Jamaaliver]

If only...

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[tbhawksfan1]

Since 2014 when the Hawks invested a late SRP on Tavares, they have only used three picks on the center position; OO, Bruno and Alpha Kabba with pick #60. Alpha don't count

So basically they have only invested in the C position with one pick in 9 drafts and they chose a 6'8" tweener at #6

Maybe it's time they draft the C position...