EJ Onu

[EvanZ]

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..

Do you know that guys shoot really well in an open gym? I mean JaVale McGee shoots 50% on 3s in an open gym. That might as well be the NAIA.

But you will just have to learn the lesson for yourself.

[jman3134]

False. Watch the actual tape. JaVale isn't even close to the shooter Onu is. Onu still has room to grow as a shooter because he has side rotation on the ball atm. The top of the NAIA would be competitive with low level D1 as a point of reference. D2 also is comparable. Plus, he is being heavily recruited by high level D1, so it is obvious that he fits the level.

The issue with Onu's game (and why he will probably be drafted 2nd round) is the strength profile and the adjustment defensively. Just because he did not bite on one clip does not mean that he isn't prone to it. If he does not have the size to match up in post scenarios, is he then forced to defend on the perimeter? While he is decently quick laterally, I think this would require an extra adjustment, as I am not sure about his ability to shift directions laterally at this stage. The upside case is there if he carves out a defensive role or he is matched up against a non post threat inside.

I don't understand the fascination with Kai Jones fwiw.

[Hal14]

False. Watch the actual tape. JaVale isn't even close to the shooter Onu is. Onu still has room to grow as a shooter because he has side rotation on the ball atm. The top of the NAIA would be competitive with low level D1 as a point of reference. D2 also is comparable. Plus, he is being heavily recruited by high level D1, so it is obvious that he fits the level.

The issue with Onu's game (and why he will probably be drafted 2nd round) is the strength profile and the adjustment defensively. Just because he did not bite on one clip does not mean that he isn't prone to it. If he does not have the size to match up in post scenarios, is he then forced to defend on the perimeter? While he is decently quick laterally, I think this would require an extra adjustment, as I am not sure about his ability to shift directions laterally at this stage. The upside case is there if he carves out a defensive role or he is matched up against a non post threat inside.

I don't understand the fascination with Kai Jones fwiw.

Yeah, sounds like what might be best is 1 year of seasoning at a big D1 school, and then he'll likely be a lottery pick in 2022. Or he stays in the draft, gets picked in 2nd round and gets that 1 more year of seasoning in G-league. I am seeing a high ceiling though..

[EvanZ]

I think it was pretty telling that a guy like Duane Washington was invited from the GL Elite camp to the Combine over Onu.

[BlazersBroncos]

To me one of the quickest indicators of when a guy isnt really a legit prospect is when his AST numbers are absurdly low.

Onu has 45 assist in 125 games played, averaging 0.36 APG over his career while logging starters minutes.

Thats a 'off my board' figure. Like a RB running a 4.80 40.

[Hal14]

To me one of the quickest indicators of when a guy isnt really a legit prospect is when his AST numbers are absurdly low.

Onu has 45 assist in 125 games played, averaging 0.36 APG over his career while logging starters minutes.

Thats a 'off my board' figure. Like a RB running a 4.80 40.

I think you have to take context into account - most of these prospects - their teammates are insanely better at basketball and specifically scoring the basketball than Onu's teammates are.

Most of these kids playing professionally overseas over for some major conference team, let's say for example their ability to score the basketball on a scale of 1-10 is a 7.5. The average score for their teammates is probably a 5.5. So the projected 1st round draft pick's ability is higher than his teammates, but not that much higher.

Compare that to Onu - his ability to score is a 7.5. Actually, scratch that - when you consider how bad the defenses are that Onu is facing, his ability to score the basketball is probably more like a 9. How about Onu's teammates ability to score? Probably only a 2 or a 3, I'll be nice and say a 3.. that's a much more significant difference.

See what I'm getting at? Onu is so much better at scoring than his teammates are at scoring, so it's natural that his point totals would be high and assist totals low.

It'll be interesting to see how he does once he had some better teammates - and is facing better competition. But one thing we know for sure is that the size is there, the athleticism is there and the skill is there - that you can't teach.

On the other hand, this type of criticism is absolutely valid for a guy like Greg Brown who was very ball dominant last year at Texas with insanely low assist, despite the fact that he was on a good Texas team with 2 other guys who are going pro (although to be fair, usually only 1 of those 2 was on the court at a time since they very rarely to my knowledge played Sims, Brown and Jones in the same lineup). Jones also had really low assist %

[jman3134]

That isn't really true, as James Jones was an all conference performer. They just didn't have a tremendous number of catch and shoot guys along the perimeter and EJ filled that void. The guards on Shawnee were fairly ball dominant. Nit picking his playmaking when he functioned as a three point gunner and post weapon is short sighted.

[Ruzious]

That isn't really true, as James Jones was an all conference performer. They just didn't have a tremendous number of catch and shoot guys along the perimeter and EJ filled that void. The guards on Shawnee were fairly ball dominant. Nit picking his playmaking when he functioned as a three point gunner and post weapon is short sighted.

I tend to think that if he's that 1 dimensional at that level, I doubt he has what it takes to play in the NBA anytime soon.

[BlazersBroncos]

I tend to think that if he's that 1 dimensional at that level, I doubt he has what it takes to play in the NBA anytime soon.

Thats my thought. A player that averages .35 APG at such a low level isnt making the jump. I dont care how bad the team is. Thats as bad as Yinka Dare.

[Hal14]

That isn't really true, as James Jones was an all conference performer. They just didn't have a tremendous number of catch and shoot guys along the perimeter and EJ filled that void. The guards on Shawnee were fairly ball dominant. Nit picking his playmaking when he functioned as a three point gunner and post weapon is short sighted.

I tend to think that if he's that 1 dimensional at that level, I doubt he has what it takes to play in the NBA anytime soon.

But Bouknight is a top 10 pick?

At least Onu is a rim protector so he helps you on both ends of the floor..

Kai Jones, Greg Brown, insanely low assist %. None of these guys pass the ball. Yet they're all going in the 1st round - Onu however "can't play in the NBA anytime soon"

[Ruzious]

That isn't really true, as James Jones was an all conference performer. They just didn't have a tremendous number of catch and shoot guys along the perimeter and EJ filled that void. The guards on Shawnee were fairly ball dominant. Nit picking his playmaking when he functioned as a three point gunner and post weapon is short sighted.

I tend to think that if he's that 1 dimensional at that level, I doubt he has what it takes to play in the NBA anytime soon.

But Bouknight is a top 10 pick?

At least Onu is a rim protector so he helps you on both ends of the floor..

Kai Jones, Greg Brown, insanely low assist %. None of these guys pass the ball. Yet they're all going in the 1st round - Onu however "can't play in the NBA anytime soon"

Again, level of competition.

And i'm NOT a Bouknight fan. Btw, Kai Jones rarely got the ball. I don't think Brown will go 1st round.

[BlazersBroncos]

Kai Jones, Greg Brown, insanely low assist %. None of these guys pass the ball. Yet they're all going in the 1st round - Onu however "can't play in the NBA anytime soon"

They were both low usage role players.

0.35 APG for a guy with the usage as Onu is uniquely poor.

[Wizop]

Pacers are working him out.

Sent from my phone.

[EvanZ]

Onu is probably never going to play an NBA game.

[daisytank]

Did he hurt your feelings or something? Why continually post just to be negative? Never really noticed you doing that before

[BostonCouchGM]

reminds me of Capela. Certainly worth a 2nd rounder. You can't teach size, length and athleticism and he isn't without skill. In a very weak class for bigs he'll get drafted

[EvanZ]

Did he hurt your feelings or something? Why continually post just to be negative? Never really noticed you doing that before

Or I'm posting just to give my honest opinion?

[jman3134]

That isn't really true, as James Jones was an all conference performer. They just didn't have a tremendous number of catch and shoot guys along the perimeter and EJ filled that void. The guards on Shawnee were fairly ball dominant. Nit picking his playmaking when he functioned as a three point gunner and post weapon is short sighted.

I tend to think that if he's that 1 dimensional at that level, I doubt he has what it takes to play in the NBA anytime soon.

He was not asked to make plays for his teammates, so it is stat cherry picking. If he doesn't succeed, it will be because he did not make the adjustments defensively in the P&R. It would be the equivalent of saying Sharife Cooper didn't succeed because of his deficiencies as a shot blocker.

EJ's play strength is not what it needs to be in the post and this led to some of the turnovers, but he played within Shawnee's offense and was a focal point teams were trying to stop. I am not projecting him as a primary post, given his limited lower body strength.

Greg Brown handles the ball more and had 60 TOs to EJ's 63. EJ was not responsible for creating off the dribble in college. He shot spot up 3s and posted. If EJ succeeds, it will be because of his ability to translate defensively and hit 3's. If he doesn't, it will likely be for the same reasons.

[Ruzious]

That isn't really true, as James Jones was an all conference performer. They just didn't have a tremendous number of catch and shoot guys along the perimeter and EJ filled that void. The guards on Shawnee were fairly ball dominant. Nit picking his playmaking when he functioned as a three point gunner and post weapon is short sighted.

I tend to think that if he's that 1 dimensional at that level, I doubt he has what it takes to play in the NBA anytime soon.

He was not asked to make plays for his teammates, so it is stat cherry picking. If he doesn't succeed, it will be because he did not make the adjustments defensively in the P&R. It would be the equivalent of saying Sharife Cooper didn't succeed because of his deficiencies as a shot blocker.

EJ's play strength is not what it needs to be in the post and this led to some of the turnovers, but he played within Shawnee's offense and was a focal point teams were trying to stop. I am not projecting him as a primary post, given his limited lower body strength.

Greg Brown handles the ball more and had 60 TOs to EJ's 63. EJ was not responsible for creating off the dribble in college. He shot spot up 3s and posted. If EJ succeeds, it will be because of his ability to translate defensively and hit 3's. If he doesn't, it will likely be for the same reasons.

Just because it's not his primary responsibility to set up teammates doesn't mean he shouldn't do it at times - especially against terrible competition. And it's not anything resembling a point guard not blocking shots. That's an absurd rationalization for an obvious deficiency. As a prospect, he's not a 3 point shot; he's a long shot.

And I already said I'm not impressed with Greg Brown, so why are using him in your argument?

[jman3134]

I tend to think that if he's that 1 dimensional at that level, I doubt he has what it takes to play in the NBA anytime soon.

He was not asked to make plays for his teammates, so it is stat cherry picking. If he doesn't succeed, it will be because he did not make the adjustments defensively in the P&R. It would be the equivalent of saying Sharife Cooper didn't succeed because of his deficiencies as a shot blocker.

EJ's play strength is not what it needs to be in the post and this led to some of the turnovers, but he played within Shawnee's offense and was a focal point teams were trying to stop. I am not projecting him as a primary post, given his limited lower body strength.

Greg Brown handles the ball more and had 60 TOs to EJ's 63. EJ was not responsible for creating off the dribble in college. He shot spot up 3s and posted. If EJ succeeds, it will be because of his ability to translate defensively and hit 3's. If he doesn't, it will likely be for the same reasons.

Just because it's not his primary responsibility to set up teammates doesn't mean he shouldn't do it at times - especially against terrible competition. And it's not anything resembling a point guard not blocking shots. That's an absurd rationalization for an obvious deficiency. As a prospect, he's not a 3 point shot; he's a long shot.

And I already said I'm not impressed with Greg Brown, so why are using him in your argument?

It really isn't an absurd comparison because you are cherry picking a stat to point to a notable flaw in his game (which has nothing to do with how he would be used in the NBA). He was on the finishing end of most plays and was not asked to handle the ball or serve as a fulcrum big man out of the post. In the NBA, he would not be asked to do these things either based on his body composition and his strength/weakness profile (he has a thin build with a weak base and won't be able to hold post position), his below average handle, etc. He projects as a catch and shoot option, with the chance to create second chance points due to his length. Most role players will not have the ball in their hands the majority of the time, so this is fine.

The turnover portion of the game that is relevant is his play strength (which is where the majority of his turnovers were derived from, not from a lack of vision). His frame needed to improve (and it has a bit), but this is still going to be a weakness when he plays in traffic and with regard to his defense. He will need some time in the G League to adjust. I said this from the initial report in Jan/Feb to now. Same deal.

Lol. I don't quite understand the 3 point shot/long shot jab. I have consistently put his potential in the proper context.

You mentioned Greg Brown and the "level of competition" as to why Brown is a prospect and EJ is not. I don't believe this is fair considering how many overseas standouts come from non-D1 programs. With that said, you can't even compare assists/turnovers with these guys as their games are worlds apart. Brown attacks off the bounce and was not the number 1 option on his team - solely a complementary weapon. However pointless the comparison, EJ had comparable turnover numbers. So, technically you can be a prospect with a poor assist/TO profile, if we are looking at this purely from a box score standpoint.