23 - Isaac Okoro

6-6, 215 Shooting Guard/Small Forward
Auburn Freshman
Birthday
01/26/01 (23.2 yrs)
Hometown
Powder Springs, GA
High School
McEachern
Athleticism
9
Size
7
Defense
9
Strength
9
Quickness
8
Leadership
8
Jump Shot
7
NBA Ready
7
Ball Handling
7
Potential
8
Passing
7
Intangibles
8

NBA Comparison: Caron Butler/Justin Anderson

Strengths: Fits the prototype physically of an NBA small forward with his 6’6 220 lb frame and strong athletic ability, and he uses his size well to compliment his playing style … A good finisher at the rim off 1 or both feet, and is able to convert through contact and with either hand effectively …  Has decent length for a wing with a 6’8.5 wingspan and 8’4.5 standing reach … Flashes good touch to complete plays around the rim on drives when he’s unable to score on dunks … Capable of highlight finishes where he utilizes his great explosiveness and strength to power through contact … Has a lot of composure and confidence for a freshman, and looks the part as a no nonsense future pro, with focus and determination … A slasher with the ball in his hands, shows good body control, strength and has enough juice in his 1st step off the dribble to get in the lane with effectiveness in the NBA … Seems to be a high IQ player, generally plays to his strengths on both ends and doesn’t make a ton of risky decisions … Moves well without the ball, actively looking to cut and score easy points on the weakside … Only 19 years old and already is a pretty promising defender due to his sound fundamentals and active feet … Flashes good timing coming up with help side blocks, and also is pretty good at rotating to take charges as well … Is able to defend on the wing and switch to defend against some small ball 4s, doing an great job of containing dribble penetration even against quicker and athletic players in college…Has the frame to be able to work through screens off the ball…Willing passer and an unselfish player…Solid player, the type who will handle his role with a workmanlike approach, possesses winning traits and doesn’t appear to be “high maintenance” … Born in late January of 2001, he’s one of the younger prospects in this year’s draft …

Weaknesses: Okoro is a work in progress when it comes to his skill level offensively … Is more effective the closer he is to the rim, and shot a below average 28% from 3 in his Fr season … While his touch is good, his mechanics are inconsistent as he is often affected by closeouts and contests … Will be made to prove that he can be a threat and hit open shots from 3 point range, and his upside and offensive value with coincide with his ability to improve his jumper … His mid-range game is poor at the moment, becomes ineffective when his initial driving lanes are cut off … Sometimes is apprehensive about shooting even when there is room, passing up shots or driving into the defense for lower percentage shots … Also struggles from the FT line for a wing prospect, shooting a mediocre 67% in 2019-2020 … Doesn’t have much creativity to his Isolation game, more of a straight line slasher who becomes less effective/more turnover prone the more he dribbles … Somewhat rudimentary as a ball-handler in the half court, though he showed a willingness to create when called upon … He often got stripped by off the ball defenders when he attempted multiple moves in isolation … Just decent as a shot blocker and ball thief; seems to prefer to work as a solid, lower risk team defender as opposed to a gambling, playmaking defender … There is optimism that he can develop into a “Swiss Army knife” type of player, but there is work to be done on all levels of his offensive repertoire to fulfill that potential as he doesn’t have any standout skills, aside from athleticism, on that end of the court just yet … Was showing signs of becoming a star but still more of a complimentary guy in his first year at Auburn, can he be a star at the NBA level, he’s likely to be drafted with that in mind based on draft projections, though he had not reached that level in college … if he’s able to tone his frame, could gain additional speed and quickness …

Overall: Okoro is a young prospect coming off a promising Freshman season for a very good Auburn team, putting up averages of 12 ppg, 4 rpg, 2 apg, and 1 bpg … He is a good athlete with good size and strength, and will be able to play and defend multiple positions at the next level … His defense is currently ahead of his offense at this stage in his development, and he will need to improve upon his shooting and overall effectiveness in a half court offense to reach his potential as a prospect … Still, he put up 12 ppg in his 1st season in major college hoops with a raw skill set on a veteran team, offering optimism that he can build his budding skills into even greater production … At the least, he should develop into a prospect who has value as a solid, versatile NBA defender but he could potentially develop into a valuable player if he can stick some open shots and continue to finish well in the paint …

Notes: Measured 6’5 barefoot, 6’6 in shoes, 213 lbs, with a 6’8.5 wingspan, and a 8’4.5″ standing reach in his senior year … Went to the same Atlanta area high school as Josh Smith (McEachern) … Was the 37th ranked prospect in the nation entering college by 24/7 and 40th on ESPN …

Jorrye Nixon 4/27/20

Strengths: 6’6 athletic wing … Solid length with a 6’8.5 wingspan and 8’4.5 standing reach … Powerful build. Good strength in both upper and lower body. Plays physical and finishes through contact … Good slasher. High-level and explosive athlete. Effortless leaping ability and reliable finisher, especially in transition. Good body control. Soft touch inside with either hand … Doesn’t force his scoring. Averaged 17.7 points per game at 54% FG% over the Nike EYBL in 2018 … Unselfish and a solid passer. Averaged 4.3 assists to 2 turnovers per game over the Nike EYBL in 2018 … Good versatility and effort as a defender. Sticks to his man when defending on the ball. Moves quick laterally and consistently gets into a defensive stance, also does a good job switching. Averaged 1.6 steals per game over the Nike EYBL in 2018. Averaged 1.6 steals per game at the U17 World Cup in 2018 … Good shot blocker for a wing, uses timing and vertical. Averaged 1.3 blocks per game over the Nike EYBL in 2018 … Good rebounder on both ends especially for a wing. Uses elevation to secure boards. Averaged 8.9 rebounds (3.3 offensive) per game over the Nike EYBL in 2018 …

Weaknesses: Shooting can improve. Can elevate his arm more on his release, kind of pushes the ball. Shot 30.6% 3PT% over the Nike EYBL in 2018. Shot 25% (1-4) 3PT% at the U17 World Cup in 2018 … Shot 64% FT% over the Nike EYBL in 2018. Shot 53.8% FT% at the U17 World Cup in 2018 … Can improve as a ball handler and creator. Doesn’t beat the defense with his dribble, most of his success as a slasher is due to his athleticism. Can expand and improve his half-court offense, scores a lot of his points in transition. Doesn’t have much of a midrange offensive game …

Outlook: Auburn freshman … Played in the 2019 Nike Hoop Summit … Won Gold at the U17 World Cup in 2018 … Played in the 2017 Underclassman All-American Game …

Evan Tomes 12/14/19

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