NBA Comparison; Delon Wright

Strengths: Elite production and star player for Illinois who was a finalist for the Wooden Award in his junior season … Ball-handling and quick first step create space and open up scoring opportunities. Also incorporates a good step-back three pointer where he shot 39% in his final season on high volume … Great court vision and passer who averaged over five assists per game. Also attacks the glass and rebounds well with over six rebounds per game. Showcased all of this with two triple doubles in his final season which ranked second in the nation … Late-game performer who drained several clutch shots throughout his career … Crafty finisher at the rim with various moves to fend off big men in the paint … Attacks at all three levels and has a threatening mid-range jumper that can pull bigs out of the paint to open up space for cutters or allow him to get to the basket with speed  … Shot nearly 50% from the field despite 15 shots per game in junior season … Good decision maker in PNR action with patience and creativity to keep defenders guessing … Great frame on offense for a ball-handling point guard at 6’5, 200 pounds … Drew contact in the lane and was able to get to the line frequently with over five attempts per game … Averaged over one steal per game as a pesky defender who improved from year to year … Prolific scorer who averaged over 20 points per game leading the Fighting Illini to a Big Ten Championship and #1 seed in the 2021 NCAA Tournament

Weaknesses: Lacks elite athleticism and speed that he must make up for with ball-handling and a quick first step … While he had a high usage rate and averaged over five assists per game, 3.3 turnovers per game are still concerning and will have to improve if he is going to get consistent minutes at the next level … Since he lacks top-end speed with the ball, bulking up would go a long way to transform himself into a two-dimensional ball-handler who can get to the lane with strength and a quick first step … Good but not great free-throw shooter at only 78% as a junior and 75% for his career … Experienced three-year starter, but one of the older tier-2 point guards in the draft at age 21. Daishen Nix, Josh Giddey, Tre Mann, and Sharife Cooper are all at least a year younger …

Outlook: Consensus First Team All-American … All Big Ten First Team (2021) and All Big Ten Second Team (2020) … 2021 Big Ten Tournament MVP … 2019 All Big Ten Freshman Team … 20.1 PTS, 6.3 REB, 5.3 AST, and 3.3 TO per game in his final season at Illinois

Notes: Measured: 6’3.5” barefoot, 6’5.0”in shoes,  8’0.5” standing reach, 194.4 lbs, 6’10.25” wingspan at the 2021 NBA Draft Combine …

Derek Bast 6/10/21

Strengths: With a non-stop motor and good speed and elusiveness, Dosunmu is a nightmare to contain … He averaged a phenomenal 20.1 points per game this season, while shooting almost 49% from the field and 39% from deep … Really comfortable beating defenders off the dribble, and can either get to the basket or pull up from behind or inside the arc … Very good at creating offense for himself using his quickness and handle, but also keeps his head up well … Was 8th in the Power Five in assists per game, and was excellent in finding both shooters and big men … Can run the pick and roll well … Incredibly difficult to stop in transition due to his speed … Doesn’t just use speed, and can use change of pace well, and has a terrific crossover to get to his jumper or the rim … Is a crafty and productive finisher … Is listed at 6’5, 200 pounds, which is terrific for a lead guard … Has the strength and length to play either the point or shooting guard … Is extremely comfortable running an offense and generating looks for others, or can make instant offense for himself … While he is not the best individual defender, he communicates really well on defense, and is engaged on the defensive side of the court…Is a solid team defender, and his frame give him the ability to switch onto either guard spot and small forwards…Should be at worst an average defender due to his length, athleticism and active hands…Also a tremendous rebounder for a point guard, with over six boards per game … Dosunmu has a really high floor because of the way he can spark an offense … Has a high ceiling because he has the perfect frame and build for a modern point guard, and could begin to unlock serious defensive potential under the right coach at the next level … Jump shot has shown steady improvement as witnessed by his uptick in FT% and overall shooting efficiency …

Weaknesses: While Dosunmu was a walking bucket last season for Illinois, his shot selection was not always ideal … While the NBA is trending towards analytics that focus on shots from deep or the interior, Dosunmu has a love affair with extended mid-range shots, with over 40% of his attempts coming from that area … At times he attempts to force passes into tight windows that often get stolen and lead to transition baskets for opponents … Averaged over three turnovers per game … While he has the potential to play either guard spot, Dosunmu looked disinterested as soon as the ball left his hands, and would often stand in the same spot until the play was over or he got the ball back … Really likes driving right, and could struggle to get by better defenders if they force him to go left…Is not a stout individual defender, and can get beat off the dribble…Has a tendency to over help and not get back to his man…While he has improved every year, Dosunmu is not a great free throw shooter, hitting under 80% of his attempts.

Notes: Won the Bob Cousy award for the nation’s best point guard … Was an NCAA First-Team All American, and a Wooden Award and Naismith Trophy Finalist … Was named the USA Today Player of the Year … Native of Chicago, IL …

Michael Hopp 5/6/21

Strengths: 6’4 point guard … Good length with a 6’8.5 wingspan … Aggressive, stays in attack mode. Draws fouls at a high rate. Shot 7.4 free throws per game over the Nike EYBL in 2017 and made the second most free throws on the season (94) … Provides a scoring mentality. Averaged 9.5 points per game while shooting 62.5% FG% over the U18 Americas Championship in 2018. Finished fourth in scoring over the Nike EYBL in 2017 with 23.2 points per game while shooting 47.8% FG%. Averaged 13.3 points per game while shooting 61.2% FG% at the NBPA Top 100 in 2017 … Reliable free throw shooter. Shot 79% FT% over the Nike EYBL in 2017 … Very good touch on floater and utilizes it well … Good ballhandler against pressure. Smooth with the ball. Slashes well and gets to the rim off the dribble. Changes direction well with his dribble. Good court vision and passing ability. Averaged 4.5 assists per game over the U18 Americas Championship in 2018. Averaged 3.1 assists per game over the Nike EYBL in 2017 … Can play on or off the ball … Defends well and shows commitment. Good length and quickness as a defender. Averaged 1.4 steals per game over the Nike EYBL in 2017 …

Weaknesses: Streaky but can improve outside shooting, low release point and lacks consistency. Only shot 27.3% 3P% over the Nike EYBL in 2017 … Provides a lot of scoring but has room to improve running the point … A lot of his effectivity comes in transition, can improve his half-court offense … Quick but isn’t an explosive athlete … Has much room to get stronger in both the upper and lower body … Can work on limiting the turnovers. Averaged 2.2 turnovers per game over the Nike EYBL in 2017 …

Outlook: Illinois freshman … Played in the 2018 Jordan Brand Classic … Won Gold on the U18 Americas Championship in 2018 … Led Morgan Park to win the 2018 Illinois Class 3A State Championship …

Evan Tomes 10/19/18