2019 NBA Draft Prep

[CP War Hawks]

Two inches taller...he'd be a lottery pick.

2019 NBA Draft scouting report: Mfiondu Kabengele



Mfiondu Kabengele was an underrated part of Leonard Hamilton’s group at Florida State this season. The sophomore only averaged roughly 13 points and 6 rebounds to go along with 1.5 blocks across ~22 minutes per game. Combine that production with the fact that Kabengele was actually slightly more effective in ACC play, and you begin to see the intrigue NBA scouts have with the big man. His stock is only rising of late, with his 7’3 wingspan being among the longest of those measured at the 2019 NBA Draft combine last week.

Kabengele is largely a defensive prospect, who projects to be able to guard multiple positions with his quickness on the perimeter, as well as protect the rim and rebound with his length. While the big man was mostly deployed as a forward on a Florida State roster that did not lack size, it will be interesting to see if Kabengele can hold his own when he needs to slide over to the center position. If he can’t play center, his career ~37% clip from three-point range should be enough to warrant playing a healthy chunk of minutes at forward given his versatility.



The biggest concern currently with Kabengele being able to anchor the center position for large stretches at the next level is that his height was measured at 6’8.75 without shoes, which is obviously small relative to the average NBA center. His length should help him, but most NBA big men are pretty long in their own right, so it remains to be seen how much he will actually help an NBA team when lined up against opposing centers.

Kabengele actually feels like a great fit in Atlanta, despite being undersized for the center position, much like incumbent power forward John Collins. Whether general manager Travis Schlenk would select the Florida State product with one of his bevy of second round picks likely hinges on whether he’s able to snag DeAndre Hunter or Brandon Clarke with one (or both) of the first round picks, as Kabengele essentially represents a lower ceiling option for either of those more highly regarded prospects

The combination of shooting, length and defensive versatility should propel Kabengele to a role in an NBA rotation sooner than later, with defensive minded play seemingly becoming a lost art in today’s three-point fiend game. A reasonably optimistic projection for Kabengele may be similar to what Adebayo did for Miami in 2018-2019, while his home run ceiling could resemble that of what Pascal Siakam was able to accomplish in his third season.

Peachtree Hoops

Out of all the bigs I think he's the best fit. Nearly 260 with 5% body fat, he's probably the most NBA ready big for the Hawks. Switches well with great overall length, just very athletic but for his size it's exceptional. If Goga can be Len with higher defensive upside, that's probably a no brainer at 10.

Watch on YouTube

My favorite 2nd round prospect for the Hawks. I forsee a guy that could be the answer on the defensive end vs. big 3s and small 4s.

Watch on YouTube

[_s_t_u_r_t_]

I do get the theory of Bol Bol.

But I've noticed his highlights usually come from lower competition.

Hmmm... maybe you're onto something... I wonder why that would be...



Wow. You're right.

There's more highlights of lower competition because Bol only bothered to schedule 3 name brand opponents in those 9 games. That means he planned it so that about 67% of the tape would be against lesser schools.

[Spud2nique]

Two inches taller...he'd be a lottery pick.

2019 NBA Draft scouting report: Mfiondu Kabengele



Mfiondu Kabengele was an underrated part of Leonard Hamilton’s group at Florida State this season. The sophomore only averaged roughly 13 points and 6 rebounds to go along with 1.5 blocks across ~22 minutes per game. Combine that production with the fact that Kabengele was actually slightly more effective in ACC play, and you begin to see the intrigue NBA scouts have with the big man. His stock is only rising of late, with his 7’3 wingspan being among the longest of those measured at the 2019 NBA Draft combine last week.

Kabengele is largely a defensive prospect, who projects to be able to guard multiple positions with his quickness on the perimeter, as well as protect the rim and rebound with his length. While the big man was mostly deployed as a forward on a Florida State roster that did not lack size, it will be interesting to see if Kabengele can hold his own when he needs to slide over to the center position. If he can’t play center, his career ~37% clip from three-point range should be enough to warrant playing a healthy chunk of minutes at forward given his versatility.



The biggest concern currently with Kabengele being able to anchor the center position for large stretches at the next level is that his height was measured at 6’8.75 without shoes, which is obviously small relative to the average NBA center. His length should help him, but most NBA big men are pretty long in their own right, so it remains to be seen how much he will actually help an NBA team when lined up against opposing centers.

Kabengele actually feels like a great fit in Atlanta, despite being undersized for the center position, much like incumbent power forward John Collins. Whether general manager Travis Schlenk would select the Florida State product with one of his bevy of second round picks likely hinges on whether he’s able to snag DeAndre Hunter or Brandon Clarke with one (or both) of the first round picks, as Kabengele essentially represents a lower ceiling option for either of those more highly regarded prospects

The combination of shooting, length and defensive versatility should propel Kabengele to a role in an NBA rotation sooner than later, with defensive minded play seemingly becoming a lost art in today’s three-point fiend game. A reasonably optimistic projection for Kabengele may be similar to what Adebayo did for Miami in 2018-2019, while his home run ceiling could resemble that of what Pascal Siakam was able to accomplish in his third season.

Peachtree Hoops

Out of all the bigs I think he's the best fit. Nearly 260 with 5% body fat, he's probably the most NBA ready big for the Hawks. Switches well with great overall length, just very athletic but for his size it's exceptional. If Goga can be Len with higher defensive upside, that's probably a no brainer at 10.

Watch on YouTube

My favorite 2nd round prospect for the Hawks. I forsee a guy that could be the answer on the defensive end vs. big 3s and small 4s.

Watch on YouTube

Ssshhh

[Hazer]

I like him a lot as a prospect but I will be shock with the intel I got that we are going center with 8 or 10

Honestly, I expected us to go with a wang at 8 and 10. I've just grown to like the Bitazde guy.

Yes. Copy and paste my 2 wang post from 6 months ago. {inserted}.

Ur in love with Bit. I got Kab and Haz currently on a mandate with Bruno.... ouch


...

Oh, Colonel Schlenk is taking 2 wangz if he keeps both picks. I would just love to have a hawse like Bruno starting at 5.

[Jamaaliver]

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[Jamaaliver]

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[Jamaaliver]

This is like watching the Globetrotters beat up on the Washington Generals.



There is definite skill here. I just don't know that he can pull off these moves against NBA caliber athletes. And there's no way he'll be able to defend...anyone?

Again, I get the theory of the dude. But 208 pounds with a major foot injury on the books...that's really difficult to get past. Especially with a top-10 pick.

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[personanongrata]

This is like watching the Globetrotters beat up on the Washington Generals.



There is definite skill here. I just don't know that he can pull off these moves against NBA caliber athletes. And there's no way he'll be able to defend...anyone?

Again, I get the theory of the dude. But 208 pounds with a major foot injury on the books...that's really difficult to get past. Especially with a top-10 pick.

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Yes of course he is risky, but his upside is tremendous. Every team would have to honor his presence on the perimeter, he can flat out stroke it. Small sample size, but he was clearly a match up problem for other teams. I'd take that over Jaxson Hayes, who cant do anything besides dunk.

[EazyRoc]

This is like watching the Globetrotters beat up on the Washington Generals.



There is definite skill here. I just don't know that he can pull off these moves against NBA caliber athletes. And there's no way he'll be able to defend...anyone?

Again, I get the theory of the dude. But 208 pounds with a major foot injury on the books...that's really difficult to get past. Especially with a top-10 pick.

Read on Twitter

NBA defenders are going to force him to make a lot more tough perimeter shots. I’m not a believer. He’s going to live and die by his jumper.

[Jamaaliver]

Yes of course he is risky, but his upside is tremendous. Every team would have to honor his presence on the perimeter, he can flat out stroke it. Small sample size, but he was clearly a match up problem for other teams. I'd take that over Jaxson Hayes, who cant do anything besides dunk.

I get the appeal. But I can';t see him doing much during the playoffs. I don't think he could get his shot off consistently against Taurean Prince.

Let alone Ben Simmons, Jimmy Butler, Giannis, Siakam, Ibaka, Kawhi, Tatum, Justise Winslow, Otto Porter.

And he can't guard anyone...that has to be a part of the calculus.

[Geaux_Hawks]

Doesn't seem too aware of what's going on around him either on defense. If he at least tried more....

Please take a step back... this just doesn't seem to be permeating the conversation very well on Bol's defense, so I'll continue to bring it up...

How many ***freshmen*** spend the first ***half*** of their college basketball careers ***looking lost*** on the court.

And gimmicky zone defenses like that Altman plays? So much more so.

I watch him, and see a pretty athletic guy making a LOT of plays just on instinct alone, but sometimes clearly out of position, no muscle memory to fall back on from playing Altman's defenses for a season or more... having to constantly think, and not just play ball.

https://streamable.com/857nm

Does he not know how to defend the post? He even concedes more space. At least get your hands up and be vertical.

Watch on YouTube

Watch on YouTube

Like does he not know where his position is on the floor?! Does he not have the awareness that he can't attack closeouts the way he does? I mean it could just simply be more about his effort and not having the ability to control his body than anything.

A lot of freshman do look lost or better yet still trying to adjust to being on the court, but Bol on defense is completely clueless with no awareness of things going on around him. I too have watched his games, and for every "instinctual" play he makes, I can find 5 where he isn't doing anything instinctively. At least those other freshman would give more effort to make it seem like they know what they are doing

[Spud2nique]

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[King Ken]

Outside of Sekou, I am going back to my team that S2N never left which is team two wangz at 8 and 10. I also want to keep Prince at least for the 1st half of the year since none of these guys are plug in play outside of Hunter and he doesn't shoot it well at this time to start him as a rookie day 1.

[_s_t_u_r_t_]

Doesn't seem too aware of what's going on around him either on defense. If he at least tried more....

Please take a step back... this just doesn't seem to be permeating the conversation very well on Bol's defense, so I'll continue to bring it up...

How many ***freshmen*** spend the first ***half*** of their college basketball careers ***looking lost*** on the court.

And gimmicky zone defenses like that Altman plays? So much more so.

I watch him, and see a pretty athletic guy making a LOT of plays just on instinct alone, but sometimes clearly out of position, no muscle memory to fall back on from playing Altman's defenses for a season or more... having to constantly think, and not just play ball.

https://streamable.com/857nm

Does he not know how to defend the post? He even concedes more space. At least get your hands up and be vertical.

Watch on YouTube

Watch on YouTube

Like does he not know where his position is on the floor?! Does he not have the awareness that he can't attack closeouts the way he does? I mean it could just simply be more about his effort and not having the ability to control his body than anything.

A lot of freshman do look lost or better yet still trying to adjust to being on the court, but Bol on defense is completely clueless with no awareness of things going on around him. I too have watched his games, and for every "instinctual" play he makes, I can find 5 where he isn't doing anything instinctively. At least those other freshman would give more effort to make it seem like they know what they are doing

You demonstrate my point more than you realize.

There's a presupposition that the defense Altman is playing in any of those clips is simple.

Watch again.

You see a guy not going after a player going down the lane because he just doesn't know any better.

Who of us who ever played the game on any level wouldn't know any better, though???

To the contrary, open your mind to the fact that Altman plays a variety of gimmick zone defenses where certain players are supposed to be responsible for certain areas of the court, and players are coached to play assignment basketball, much like football defenders are coached to play assignment football.... do YOUR job... expect your teammates to do THEIR job... DON'T abandon the space you're supposed to patrol... stay at home, don't get outside of the defense that's been called (!).

It's more complex as you get away from straight-up 2/3 zones, too.

I see Bol as a freshman, trying to be where he's been told to be, and just not yet comfortable mentally in a way that he can perform as he's physically able.

What's surprising to me is just how aggressive some people have become to push Bol down out of the lottery.... then again, I suppose it makes sense if you're one of those who want him to get pushed down out of the lottery for your own team's gain. I mentioned before and I'll mention it again that it's rum-ported that Ainge is hot for Bol.

[Jamaaliver]

So many excuses for a 7 foot shot blocker who struggled defensively against sub par competition.


It's okay to acknowledge he isn't a good defender yet.

Bol has been playing ball for years. This isn't a new assessment.

[_s_t_u_r_t_]

One man's excuses, another man's reasons.

It's not like I'm making up facts of the environment here.

It's more like some people are trying to avoid that those facts exist.

Why, I'm not sure.

Btw... "subpar" competition... I thought for sure Iowa made the tournament... mighta even won a game(?).

[Spud2nique]

So many excuses for a 7 foot shot blocker who struggled defensively against sub par competition.


It's okay to acknowledge he isn't a good defender yet.

Bol has been playing ball for years. This isn't a new assessment.

Jamal I’m finally starting to see what you and others saw in this Sekou kid. I’m not sure if I was watching his worst highlight reels before but he’s strong, fast and above all he gets after it on D. He’s usually draped all of his guy. He might fit in nicely with us, considering he and we have some time and maturing to do.

I’m still team Cam but this guy can hold his own.

[_s_t_u_r_t_]

Some have us getting both, Spud.

I'd be real tempted to stash Bouya for another year in Europe if things broke that way.

[Spud2nique]

One man's excuses, another man's reasons.

It's not like I'm making up facts of the environment here.

It's more like some people are trying to avoid that those facts exist.

Why, I'm not sure.

Btw... "subpar" competition... I thought for sure Iowa made the tournament... mighta even won a game(?).

I’m worried with his frame adding size and his strength. I mean guys might literally knock him down so hard that he gets hurt again. Having said that the league has become soft as charmin so he might fit right in.

Because honestly little Steven Scurry couldn’t pull this crap off against the Jordans and Drexlers and Richmonds of the world. So who knows maybe Bol fits right in.

[Jamaaliver]

Jamal I’m finally starting to see what you and others saw in this Sekou kid...

I’m still team Cam but this guy can hold his own.

It took me a little while to get there, too. If his ceiling is Siakam, his floor is Kevon Looney. He may never be a star, but he should be useful for his whole career.

And there is a 5-10% chance he develops into a top-2 way player.

Everyone has him projected as a SF/PF. I'm holding out hope he bulks up enough to play small ball Center.

But I haven't heard a peep about any Hawks interest in him.