NBA Comparison: Zeke Nnaji/Nic Claxton

Strengths: Bouncy, wiry athletic big with sweet shooting ability from the perimeter … Really explosive around the rim and Very prolific and efficient junior season at Dayton averaging 20 ppg, knocking down 1 three point shot a game 32/83 (38%) on the season … Shows a lot of explosiveness off of two feet in the paint for dunks and rebounds … Attacks the rim with real aggression … Post game is solid as he has some effective spin moves and fakes that he utilizes to free himself from defenders … Junior bigman who showed a lot of improvement in the past season both in output and efficiency … Shows dedication and willingness to put in hard work … Added 15 lbs of muscle between sophomore and junior seasons. He obviously became committed to the weight room / training and it showed in his gains as an athlete … A legit 6-10 in shoes with a 7-1 wingspan and 9-foot standing reach, which is center size … 34 inch max vert is very solid for a bigman at the next level … Shows potential as a rim protector, averaging 2 blocks per game in each of his three seasons … Passing and decision making showed solid improvement over college career: 2.6 to 2.2 a/to as a junior … Shows spot up ability with range out to NBA three … Creates good balance, wide base and rhythm before the shot. Solid form on his shot with good shooting motion, quick release and follow through. Nothing major needing to be changed in terms of his shooting. He’s got a younger brother in AZ (high school) that is already showing signs of being a high level outside shooter as well … In the post, does a good job of sealing his man and if he gets a step on a defender in the paint, it’s a wrap, and usually will result in a dunk … Progressed as a rebounder over college career, 8.5 a game as a junior shows his willingness and raw ability … Explodes well after contact allowing him to dunk right on top of defenders … Shows some creative passing ability … Developing ball handling ability … Shows the ability to face the basket with use of pump fakes and driving to the rim …

Weaknesses: Not the most fluid of athletes, sort of runs stiff, like an older player, and has tight hips that make him appear less athletic than he actually plays .. Perhaps his flexibilty can be improved with better stretching and focus on it … Seems to jump better off of two feet, which isn’t a huge concern but does cause him to slow down some before exploding to the rim, at times …  Upside is affected to a degree by his age. Turns 22 in August making him the age of a senior but a spring chicken in relation to a number of other “super seniors” projected in this year’s late first round area … While his outside shooting shows nice potential. Still a bit unproven as a shooter having struggled over much of his three year career, before knocking down a solid clip as a junior … Career 67% FT shooter, though he did imrove to 71% from the line as a junior. Numbers show shooting potential, but not that of a reliable shooter to this point … Dominated as a junior but playing in a lower level conference adds some skepticism about how effective he would be playing better competition on a nightly basis … At 235 lbs and (nearly) 22 years of age, his ability to add weight is questionable. Could stand to gain 15-20 lbs of muscle. Likely will remain a wiry big, but 235 lbs is not bad in today’s NBA …

Notes: Projects as a mid-to-late first round pick … Measured 6′ 8.75” barefoot, 236.2 lbs, 7′ 1.00” wingspan,  9′ 0.00” standing reach, 27.5 standing vert, 34 max vert at the 2024 NBA Draft Combine … Measured: 6′ 9.00” barefoot, 9′ 1.00” standing reach, 220.8 lbs and a 7′ 0.50” wingspan and a 29.5 inch standing vertical and a 35′ inch max vertical at the 2023 NBA Draft Combine … Came into college as a Top 50 recruit. Played high school ball at AZ Compass …

Aran Smith 5/20/24