Prospect Thread: Onyeka Okongwu

[amcoolio]

I think this is the pick of Wiseman isn't there. Fits nu-NBA, shoots well from the line which is a good indicator and maybe Mitch thinks he can be the next Siakam.

[wilson115]

I think this is the pick of Wiseman isn't there. Fits nu-NBA, shoots well from the line which is a good indicator and maybe Mitch thinks he can be the next Siakam.

Interesting. The skills that improved the most during Siakam's breakout year was his ballhandling and passing, much like Adebayo. Otherwise they both looked a lot like Okongwu entering the league. Interesting if he has that potential.

[driveandkick]

I think this is the pick of Wiseman isn't there. Fits nu-NBA, shoots well from the line which is a good indicator and maybe Mitch thinks he can be the next Siakam.

He’s shooting up my power rankings every single day

[316Hornets]

My problem with Okongwu is that he hasn't shown any ability to hit long jumpers. 65% of his shots were around the rim and efficiency was pretty low outside that area.

If I'm choosing a PF/C at #3 that can't hit from range, he better be at least 6'10. He just doesn't have the size to really take over a game. If you're telling me Bam Abedayo is his ceiling, then that's pretty horrible upside at 3. I'd like him around pick 8.

[Braggins]

Spoiler:

My problem with Okongwu is that he hasn't shown any ability to hit long jumpers. 65% of his shots were around the rim and efficiency was pretty low outside that area.

If I'm choosing a PF/C at #3 that can't hit from range, he better be at least 6'10. He just doesn't have the size to really take over a game. If you're telling me Bam Abedayo is his ceiling, then that's pretty horrible upside at 3. I'd like him around pick 8.

Miami wouldn't consider trading Bam even for the 1st pick in this draft.

[wilson115]

How is someone with Bam's skills not valuable? Just look what he can do next to a good shooter:

Watch on YouTube

[Vanderbilt_Grad]

Bam really has developed his game into something special.

In the Wiseman thread when there was talk about having a versatile center ... that's what Okongwu will probably end up being. He's shorter than Wiseman but already outweighs him. He'll have a much easier time transitioning to the physical playstyle.

[BigSlam]

He's shorter than Wiseman but already outweighs him.

But you can add weight. You can’t add height.

I think it’s a shame we’ve been subjected to undersized 5’s being abused by opposing bigs. I think that influences how I feel about this guy.

Also, I hope he wears 00 in the NBA. That’d just be cool.


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[Braggins]

I wouldn't expect this guy to develop a passing game like Bam and he doesn't seem quite as athletic (you never know though), but he is a similar mold on defense and if he can at least hit midrange shots and develop a face up and post game he could be quite valuable imo. He looks very fluid and coordinated and has some pretty good touch, which bodes well for development. If he is as good as advertised as a defender and finisher/roll man he seems like he'll be good even if he doesn't add a lot else to his offensive game.

I'm not actually worried about his size. 6'9 240 with a 7'1"+ wingspan is plenty big. Hes strong, athletic, and long enough, that I don't worry about him handling the NBA game from a physical standpoint.

[BigSlam]

I'm not actually worried about his size. 6'9 240 with a 7'1"+ wingspan is plenty big. Hes strong, athletic, and long enough, that I don't worry about him handling the NBA game from a physical standpoint.

So is Biz - and we've had years of him getting spanked by bigger 5's.

[DY_nasty]

My problem with Okongwu is that he hasn't shown any ability to hit long jumpers. 65% of his shots were around the rim and efficiency was pretty low outside that area.

If I'm choosing a PF/C at #3 that can't hit from range, he better be at least 6'10. He just doesn't have the size to really take over a game. If you're telling me Bam Abedayo is his ceiling, then that's pretty horrible upside at 3. I'd like him around pick 8.

Bam is a damn good player so this is kinda .....

[amcoolio]

If we had Bam instead of Monk we would have made the playoffs last season

Who knows if we would have developed Bam like Miami did though

[DY_nasty]

Bam is arguably Miami's best player and he just outright mauled Indiana's frontline.

Not every big has to be a floor stretching, goat-tier defender to be impactful lol

[Vanderbilt_Grad]

I'm not actually worried about his size. 6'9 240 with a 7'1"+ wingspan is plenty big. Hes strong, athletic, and long enough, that I don't worry about him handling the NBA game from a physical standpoint.

So is Biz - and we've had years of him getting spanked by bigger 5's.

Okongwu projects to be a very different player than Biz on both ends.

[316Hornets]

My problem with Okongwu is that he hasn't shown any ability to hit long jumpers. 65% of his shots were around the rim and efficiency was pretty low outside that area.

If I'm choosing a PF/C at #3 that can't hit from range, he better be at least 6'10. He just doesn't have the size to really take over a game. If you're telling me Bam Abedayo is his ceiling, then that's pretty horrible upside at 3. I'd like him around pick 8.

Bam is a damn good player so this is kinda .....

"Ceiling" is Bam. That doesn't mean he will get to that. I'd prefer a guy with franchise star potential. You can't really build around Bam, are you guys forgetting they have Butler?

[yosemiteben]

I'd prefer a guy with franchise star potential. You can't really build around Bam, are you guys forgetting they have Butler?

I don't think there's someone with more franchise star potential in this draft, which is why OO is so interesting.

[DY_nasty]

My problem with Okongwu is that he hasn't shown any ability to hit long jumpers. 65% of his shots were around the rim and efficiency was pretty low outside that area.

If I'm choosing a PF/C at #3 that can't hit from range, he better be at least 6'10. He just doesn't have the size to really take over a game. If you're telling me Bam Abedayo is his ceiling, then that's pretty horrible upside at 3. I'd like him around pick 8.

Bam is a damn good player so this is kinda .....

"Ceiling" is Bam. That doesn't mean he will get to that. I'd prefer a guy with franchise star potential. You can't really build around Bam, are you guys forgetting they have Butler?

There isn't a guy with franchise star potential in this draft really. Even if you get a young Ed Davis out of this guy, it helps us and provides a tradeable asset.

Also, no, I'm not forgetting Jimmy and how little he plays or how inconsistent he's been

Plus guys grow and 1 inch isn't that big of a deal if he can control vertical space appropriately. Can't believe some people are stuck on that height thing when PJ Washington wasn't even 6'7 barefoot on combine day.

[Liver_Pooty]

I firmly believe our pick will either be this guy or Wiseman. And im perfectly fine with either.

Id prefer Wiseman, though.

[SWedd523]

Why exactly are people projecting Bam for this guy? Is it simply because they have similar physical profiles? I haven't exactly seen anything out of him that says he has an offensive repertoire outside of the paint. He attempted 4 threes all season and the only one he made was a 3/4 court heave at the buzzer lol. He also averaged 1.1 assists per game.

I guess to be fair, Adebayo didn't attempt a single three in college and averaged 0.8 assists per game so his passing ability and overall production kind of came out of nowhere (even somewhat compared to his first two seasons).

I think the argument is between OO and Toppin despite them being very different players, with both having potential high ends clearly below Wiseman

[Vanderbilt_Grad]

Disagree strongly. Wiseman is a high risk prospect. All the top guys have warts.