EJ Onu

Post #1 » by **jman3134** » Tue Feb 2, 2021 7:33 pm

He is worth his own thread. I just did a write up about Onu, who is a late blooming big man with the physical tools to develop into an NBA player. He started playing late, but is shooting over 45% from three at the college level and is 6'11. He has nimble feet and would qualify as the number 3 shot blocker in the nation in terms of blocks % if he was in D1.

EJ Onu is the best NBA prospect I have come across in my ten plus years of reviewing non-D1 prospects. The late blooming Shawnee State product has all of the tools to emerge as a rotation player at a very high level of play. While others have exceeded his production, EJ's skill level, coupled with his physical intangibles make him a true diamond in the rough.

What makes EJ so unique are his physical attributes and skill level, particularly on the offensive end. EJ is a rare 6'11 stretch five with a beautiful shooting form, sporting both a quick release and a high release point. He is remarkably connecting on 45.8% of his three point attempts (4 3pt FGA per game) this season, and this is no accident. In his most recent contests, he has been shooting significantly better than this percentage. He does not force shots and every three comes within the flow of the offense. He habitually will utilize the threat of his shot to move the ball around the perimeter, setting up an open look for a teammate. There are no wasted movements with regard to his outside shooting, and he is remarkably efficient.

http://jtmbasketball.blogspot.com/2021/01/scouring-nation-part-2-ej-onu.html

Post #2 » by **jman3134** » Tue May 18, 2021 4:29 am

Read on Twitter

He plays nothing like Giannis functionally and Giannis was an anomaly because he developed guard skills and was playing as a wing overseas. EJ is not a wing by any stretch of the imagination. And, EJ is coming in shooting way better from three point range, though he actually has a ton of room to improve from beyond the arc (he has a bit of side rotation on the ball right now, but still managed to shoot over 40%). The effortlessness and compact nature of his stroke mean that he will be able to get it off at the NBA level imo. The agility is simply something that cannot be taught, especially running the floor. This is invaluable in the modern NBA because it opens the door for the corner three.

While he still must develop his game considerably, you cannot teach size (6'11)/length (7'6) and the ability to block shots at the top of the backboard. His positional D needs some work in terms of not biting on fakes and staying down with his length. But, he is a former track athlete and his endline to endline speed is something incredibly rare for his size.

BoyzNTheHood · Post #3 » by **BoyzNTheHood** » Wed May 19, 2021 6:43 am

I like this kid from what little I've seen. I'm wondering who will take a flyer on him in the 2nd round, and how he compares to Ibou Dianko Badji.

EvanZ · Post #4 » by **EvanZ** » Wed May 19, 2021 1:52 pm

He'll be 22 in July. Why didn't he transfer to D1 2 years ago?

Onus · Post #5 » by **Onus** » Wed May 19, 2021 5:10 pm

Very interesting. From the highlights you can tell he did not belong in naia

Post #6 » by **jman3134** » Wed May 19, 2021 9:29 pm

EvanZ wrote:He'll be 22 in July. Why didn't he transfer to D1 2 years ago?

Late bloomer. He developed just fine in the NAIA, growing significantly as a 3pt shooter (though the side spin on his rotation still suggests some room for growth). The strength and conditioning is going to be key - this is where he is lagging behind his peers. Derrick White spent 1 year at D1 and was a first round pick - playing D1 is overrated.

Breakout age doesn't really matter for 2nd round picks - maybe someone falls in love with him and he climbs higher. What makes him unique is his track background and the physical profile/release point to where his shot is unblockable in the NBA. Also, notice the effortlessness of the shot - there are so many things about EJ's profile that suggest tremendous upside.

Post #7 » by **jman3134** » Wed May 19, 2021 9:38 pm

BoyzNTheHood wrote:I like this kid from what little I've seen. I'm wondering who will take a flyer on him in the 2nd round, and how he compares to Ibou Dianko Badji.

Badji is way more raw, and is more of a power big. He is more imposing as a rim protector, especially if you attack his body. With that said, he is still way behind in terms of skill development (age 18 vs. 22), as he is at a much earlier stage than EJ. He cannot shoot, he is a liability passing the ball at times, and is the definition of raw. While EJ is not as physically imposing on the block, he is also a quick athlete who is just as good of a help defender (if not better). He runs the floor faster than Badji imo. EJ can shoot the ball from three, and he can score in a variety of ways, whereas Badji is a non-factor on this side of the floor. Both can block shots at the apex. Where will Badji be after playing the next few seasons with Barcelona?

Hoopz Afrik · Post #8 » by **Hoopz Afrik** » Sat May 22, 2021 9:42 pm

I think he signed with an agency yesterday so it looks like he' staying in the draft. Intriguing prospect with a lot of translatable skills. I'd imagine he starts to creep up draft boards as time goes on.

edited: It seems as though the agency he signed with is NBA/NBPA approved so he still maintains his college eligibility.

getrichordie · Post #9 » by **getrichordie** » Tue Jun 1, 2021 7:33 am

Bumping this. Onu needs more love. Rare combination size, strength, length, athleticism, and shooting. Other than lack of more meaningful competition, and thus experience, I don't see why this guy cannot be at least a drop big on D with real potential to at least survive on D on the perimeter, and on offense he should be able to at least set decent screens and be a nice roll threat and take 2-3 threes a game on the chance he can actually shoot it from NBA distance.

Literally there is almost nothing to lose if you spend a mid-to-late 2nd round pick on this guy. Upside seems really high when you think about what this archetype of player can do for your team if they actualize the potential. Most players drafted in this range don't workout anyway, and I'd take a flier on this guy,

Hand calc'd some stats for Onu.

Post #10 » by **jman3134** » Thu Jun 3, 2021 4:58 pm

Offensive rebounding rate would have been much higher, but he spaced constantly and was a threat along the perimeter.

I think the long speed is absolutely underrated. Imagine a guy with his kind of speed leaking ahead in transition? It is a total mismatch.

The issue is going to be positional D in the post and probably will be why he starts off in the G League. Once he stops biting on every pump fake from an up-and-under, the guy should have a long career in the NBA.

Mechanically, he can improve his shooting form even further, as he has a bit of a side to side rotation. His shot is absolutely effortless and will have an incredibly quick release in the league. It is unguardable.

Hal14 · Post #11 » by **Hal14** » Thu Jun 10, 2021 1:46 am

Would it be crazy to draft Onu over Kai Jones?

He reminds me a lot of Jones. Except Jones is less developed, more raw. Then again, Jones is a year and a half younger than Onu.

Video of Onu:

Watch on YouTube

When I see the video, it's like watching Jones if Jones was 1.5 years older and keeps working on his game during that 1.5 years, and also if Jones is able to pack on another 22 pounds over the next 1.5 years...and also if Jones was facing much weaker competition. I feel like the Celtics would rather have the guy who is less raw, more developed, since we're not rebuilding - we're trying to win a title within the next 3 years. And it's not like Jones has a higher ceiling/upside - both of them are 6'11", both are quick, both are long and athletic with ability as a rim runner as well as ability to hit the 3 and run the floor. Only edge I see for Jones is that since he is 22 lbs lighter, he has better lateral quickness/agility to better switch out on guards/wings and defend them out on the perimeter.

Also, you guys keep saying Onu bites on fakes. The play in the video in my post above at 11:38 he does a good job of not biting on the fake and then blocks the shot. Just 1 play, but I haven't seen a play yet where he looks foolish by biting on a fake..

EvanZ · Post #12 » by **EvanZ** » Thu Jun 10, 2021 4:46 pm

Good luck taking the 22-year old NAIA guy and expecting a starting center out of it.

Hal14 · Post #13 » by **Hal14** » Thu Jun 10, 2021 5:01 pm

EvanZ wrote:Good luck taking the 22-year old NAIA guy and expecting a starting center out of it.

Talent is talent.

What would you want a rookie center to do that Onu can't do?

Who else in this draft at 6'11" or taller has a solid frame at 240 lbs, yet at the same time runs like a deer, very agile for a big, can shoot 40% from 3, post up and block shots?

I wouldn't harp too much on age. As has been discussed in this thread already, Onu is a late bloomer so still very much developing/improving both his game and his physique. Most NBA players don't peak until at least age 26 anyways..

EvanZ · Post #14 » by **EvanZ** » Thu Jun 10, 2021 5:10 pm

Hal14 wrote:
EvanZ wrote:Good luck taking the 22-year old NAIA guy and expecting a starting center out of it.

Talent is talent.

What would you want a rookie center to do that Onu can't do?

I mean you could say this about most prospects.

2020: What would you want a rookie center to do that Oturu can't do?

2019: What would you want a rookie center to do that Kabengele can't do?

2018: What would you want a rookie center to do that Bamba can't do?

The answer is: "Be good at basketball"

Hal14 · Post #15 » by **Hal14** » Thu Jun 10, 2021 5:14 pm

EvanZ wrote:
Hal14 wrote:
EvanZ wrote:Good luck taking the 22-year old NAIA guy and expecting a starting center out of it.

Talent is talent.

What would you want a rookie center to do that Onu can't do?

I mean you could say this about most prospects.

2020: What would you want a rookie center to do that Oturu can't do?

2019: What would you want a rookie center to do that Kabengele can't do?

2018: What would you want a rookie center to do that Bamba can't do?

The answer is: "Be good at basketball"

So all of those guys prior to being drafted were 6'11" or taller with a solid frame at 240+ lbs, yet at the same time run like a deer, very agile for a big, can shoot 40% from 3 with excellent form that's smooth/fluid and high release, post up and block shots?

"be good at basketball" ? What makes you think Onu isn't good at basketball? Just the level of competition?

EvanZ · Post #16 » by **EvanZ** » Thu Jun 10, 2021 5:15 pm

Hal14 wrote:
EvanZ wrote:
Hal14 wrote:Talent is talent.

What would you want a rookie center to do that Onu can't do?

I mean you could say this about most prospects.

2020: What would you want a rookie center to do that Oturu can't do?

2019: What would you want a rookie center to do that Kabengele can't do?

2018: What would you want a rookie center to do that Bamba can't do?

The answer is: "Be good at basketball"

So all of those guys were 6'11" or taller with a solid frame at 240+ lbs, yet at the same time run like a deer, very agile for a big, can shoot 40% from 3 with excellent form that's smooth/fluid and high release, post up and block shots?

This is going to look so dumb in a year. I'll just wait it out.

EvanZ · Post #17 » by **EvanZ** » Thu Jun 10, 2021 5:17 pm

You might as well be telling me Damian Jones looks like a future All-Star when he plays in the GL.

Hal14 · Post #18 » by **Hal14** » Thu Jun 10, 2021 5:21 pm

EvanZ wrote:
Hal14 wrote:
EvanZ wrote:
I mean you could say this about most prospects.

2020: What would you want a rookie center to do that Oturu can't do?

2019: What would you want a rookie center to do that Kabengele can't do?

2018: What would you want a rookie center to do that Bamba can't do?

The answer is: "Be good at basketball"

So all of those guys were 6'11" or taller with a solid frame at 240+ lbs, yet at the same time run like a deer, very agile for a big, can shoot 40% from 3 with excellent form that's smooth/fluid and high release, post up and block shots?

This is going to look so dumb in a year. I'll just wait it out.

Has it ever looked dumb before? Has a player (prior to being drafted) ever been 6'11" or taller with a strong/sturdy frame yet runs like a deer, moves fluid/agile on the court, shoots 40% from 3 (with high enough sample size) and blocks shots then got drafted and turned out to be bust?

EvanZ · Post #19 » by **EvanZ** » Thu Jun 10, 2021 5:46 pm

Hal14 wrote:
EvanZ wrote:
Hal14 wrote:So all of those guys were 6'11" or taller with a solid frame at 240+ lbs, yet at the same time run like a deer, very agile for a big, can shoot 40% from 3 with excellent form that's smooth/fluid and high release, post up and block shots?

This is going to look so dumb in a year. I'll just wait it out.

Has it ever looked dumb before? Has a player (prior to being drafted) ever been 6'11" or taller with a strong/sturdy frame yet runs like a deer, moves fluid/agile on the court, shoots 40% from 3 (with high enough sample size) and blocks shots then got drafted and turned out to be bust?

...in NAIA as a Senior :roll:

Hal14 · Post #20 » by **Hal14** » Thu Jun 10, 2021 5:50 pm

EvanZ wrote:
Hal14 wrote:
EvanZ wrote:
This is going to look so dumb in a year. I'll just wait it out.

Has it ever looked dumb before? Has a player (prior to being drafted) ever been 6'11" or taller with a strong/sturdy frame yet runs like a deer, moves fluid/agile on the court, shoots 40% from 3 (with high enough sample size) and blocks shots then got drafted and turned out to be bust?

...in NAIA as a Senior

In any league.

Has a player (prior to being drafted) ever been 6'11" or taller with a strong/sturdy frame yet runs like a deer, moves fluid/agile on the court, shoots 40% from 3 (with high enough sample size) and blocks shots then got drafted and turned out to be bust?

Talent is talent.

And again, he's a late bloomer so I wouldn't worry too much about his age. Most players continue rapid development until age 23.

Would you rather take a player who's 2 years younger but not as good, rolling the dice and hoping that he might end up being as good as Onu is today? While also knowing that Onu has by no means plateau'd..