NBA Comparison: Chimezie Metu

Strengths: 6’8 left-handed powerful big man … Plays hard and consistently runs the floor … Impressive physical profile with a big frame, good strength, and great length. Throws down dunks in traffic and isn’t fazed by a defender in his way, recording a fair amount of and-one dunks … Explosive athlete, quick off the ground and doesn’t take time loading up. Impressive second jump and fairly light on his feet for his size. Athleticism translates on both ends of the floor. Even pops off the ground well when shooting his jump hook, making it very hard for the defense to contest with his lift and extended long arm … Very efficient scorer. Averaged 12.4 points per game on an event best 75% (39-52) FG% at the NBPA Top 100 in 2023 … Good aggression and dunks everything within close. Has a wide radius around the basket he can finish with a jam and is a very reliable lob target. Throws down dunks in the post from a standstill and what looks like he’s going up with a jump hook, turns out to be a tomahawk jam even with a defender in his way … Willing Screener. Alert and reliable finisher in the pick and roll. Good hands and can catch on the move … Passes out of the post and doesn’t force up contested shots underneath. Pretty good about not putting the ball down at bad times … Very good rebounder on both ends, securing nearly every miss within his reach with both hands. Converts offensive rebounds into points at a high rate and reads tip-slam opportunities well. Averaged 8.3 (2.4 offensive) rebounds per game at the NBPA Top 100 in 2023 … Good defender with quick reactions and timing. Protects the paint, blocking/altering shots and keeps the opposing team out of the paint. Blocks shots and contests well without fouling. Blocks jump shots very well that you don’t see often at this level. Averaged a 2^nd best 2.9 blocks per game at the NBPA Top 100 in 2023 … Plays to his strength and doesn’t try to do too much outside his game … Constantly tracked by the opposing team on both ends …

Weaknesses: Raw offensively. Flashes jump hook and even a faceup midrange jumper but isn’t a consistent weapon yet. Doesn’t stretch the floor. Minimal ability to put the ball down. The superior advantage gap between him and his opponent will not be near as wide as it is now, and even matched at times at the next levels … Flashes touch and footwork but will need to improve offensive technique when he doesn’t dunk. Needs to improve right hand as he forces left hand finishes and defenders can’t force him to his right at this level. Has much room to expand his post-game … Can improve as a free throw shooter, getting proper ball rotation but isn’t always straight. Shot 56.3% (9-16) FT% at the NBPA Top 100 in 2023 … May struggle defensively when getting switched out on the perimeter with quicker perimeter players … An incredibly dominant high school player but the NBA isn’t centered around traditional fives in today’s game … Older for his class, will turn 19 around high school graduation …

Outlook: Kansas commit … MVP of the 2023 Pangos All-American Camp … Played in the 2023 UA Next Elite 24 … 2023 Naismith High School All-American 3^rd Team … 2023 Indiana Gatorade Player of the Year …

Evan Tomes 11/6/23

Notes: Measured: 6’7″, 9’1″ standing reach, 216 lbs, 7’2″ wingspan at the 2024 Nike Hoop Summit …