NBA Comparison: Tiago Splitter / Jakob Poeltl

Strengths: Grunloh enters his freshman season at Virginia as one of the most intriguing big men in college basketball … A true 7-footer with a reported 7’2 wingspan, he blends ideal length, solid mobility, and impressive coordination for his size … He is a good athlete for a player his height, showing soft hands, excellent hand-eye coordination, and a growing skill set that makes him a modern frontcourt threat … His shooting development has become one of the most encouraging aspects of his game … After entering last season with limited scoring tools, he knocked down 34.4 percent of his threes (26-76) in the German Bundesliga while averaging nearly one make per game … That level of efficiency at age 19, especially for a center, speaks volumes about his potential as a floor-spacing big … His pick-and-roll and pick-and-pop execution is advanced. He sets firm screens, rolls hard, and pops out comfortably for clean looks … He also connected on 57.6 percent of his twos and posted a true shooting percentage of 59.4 percent … His mechanics are smooth, and he gets his feet set quickly with a compact, repeatable release … Grunloh shows polished fundamentals in the post, boxes out well, and plays with a high motor when chasing rebounds or contesting shots … He is a reliable shot blocker, averaging 1.5 blocks in just over 22 minutes per game, and should continue to grow in that area as he gains strength … He grabbed 5.6 rebounds per game, including 1.9 on the offensive end, and consistently generates second-chance opportunities … He passes well for a big man, understands spacing, and plays within himself … With his blend of length, feel, and shooting touch, Grunloh projects as a modern two-way center with long-term starter potential.

Weaknesses: While Grunloh has made clear strides, several areas of his game remain under development … His free throw percentage at 72.3 percent is solid for his age and position, but improving consistency at the line would help round out his shooting profile … His ball-handling is limited. He is not comfortable creating off the dribble, and he can be disrupted in traffic when forced to make quick reads … He posted just 0.5 assists to 1.0 turnover per game, with a turnover rate of 12.3 percent, highlighting room to grow as a decision-maker under pressure … He lacks top-tier athleticism. His first step is average, and he does not have a quick second jump or explosive vertical pop … While he is a solid rim runner, he is not a high-flying lob finisher, which could limit his impact as a vertical threat in the pick-and-roll … One area that may slightly cap his upside is his foot speed and footwork, which can appear a bit awkward or stiff, particularly when defending in space or trying to stay in front of quicker players … Although listed at 238 pounds, his frame suggests he could benefit from adding 20 to 25 pounds of muscle in order to handle physical post players and protect the paint effectively at the next level … His lateral mobility is serviceable but could limit his ability to switch onto smaller, quicker players in NBA-style defensive schemes.

Outlook: Grunloh projects as a potential one-and-done lottery pick with one of the highest ceilings among incoming college big men … His production in Germany’s top professional league at age 19, including 7.9 points, 5.6 rebounds, and 1.4 blocks per game, is highly encouraging given the competition and limited minutes at 22.5 per game … He has already shown the ability to stretch the floor, protect the rim, and fit into a team-oriented structure, all while continuing to grow physically and refine his decision-making … Virginia’s development system should provide the perfect environment to accelerate his progress, especially on defense and in terms of strength conditioning … He compares favorably to Alex Sarr in terms of fluidity, athleticism, and long-term upside. However, he brings better hand-eye coordination, shot creation flashes, and a more advanced offensive skill set at this stage … With continued growth, Grunloh has all the ingredients to become a highly versatile modern NBA big who impacts the game on both ends of the court.

Notes: Born August 14, 2005, in Loningen, Germany. … Played for RASTA Vechta in Germany’s Bundesliga … Averaged 7.9 points, 5.6 rebounds, and 1.4 blocks in 2024–25 … Recorded two double-doubles and had a career-high 20 points with two made threes vs. Würzburg … Named U22 Player of the Year in the BBL … Former U19 Best Defender in Germany … Averaged 3.9 blocks for Germany’s U18 team en route to a bronze medal at the 2023 European Championships.

Aran Smith 7/26/25