NBA Comparison: Jordan Nwora

Strengths: A sturdy 6’7 230 lb combo forward who enjoyed a pretty solid career in the Big 10 … Savvy frontcourt player who likes to face up, but has the frame to bang with most PFs too … Knockdown 3 point shooter, proved to be a valuable floor spacer throughout his college career (43% 3FG as a Sr., 41% for his career) … Very effective as a spot up shooter or in the pick and pop game, possesses a quick, high release that he shoots with confidence … Gets a good amount of corner 3s, seems to be his most comfortable shot area … Uses the threat of his jumper to occasionally open downhill driving lanes for himself…Unselfish player, showing solid feel for the game and a willingness to play within a team structure, doesn’t force shots or action … Has developed adequate court vision and passing skills (2apg as a Sr.) and is more than just a catch and shoot offensive player … Physical player who handles contact well on both ends of the court, showing good strength at the point of attack…Understands positioning and does a nice job of moving his feet to cut off dribble penetration or lead ball-handlers into help defenders … Doesn’t give up on plays and looks to recover when beat off the dribble, became a more devoted defender each season while in college … Smart movement without the ball, makes good reads on whether to get open at the 3 point line or cutting to the basket…Great at the foul line when he gets there (87% FT shooter as a Sr., 85% for his career) … More of a half-court player, but can be a factor finishing at the rim after running the floor in transition after turnovers …

Weaknesses: Not particularly quick or athletic for a forward prospect by NBA standards … Strong, but standing at 6’7 Livers is slightly undersized for someone who projects as more of a PF at the NBA level … Not a bad ball-handler but he does not project to be much of a factor off the bounce due to the lack of separation he gets … Often settled for tightly contested mid-range shots off the dribble because he wasn’t able to get to the rim consistently in college … Can be scored over by lengthy players, but also can be beat off the dribble by more quick players … Needs a solid team defense around him to be most effective on that end … More of a catch and shoot player, decisive with the ball but loses effectiveness with his scoring the more he dribbles…Average at best on the glass (career high 6 rpg as a Sr.), mostly rebounds in his area … Doesnt possess the explosiveness to finish above the rim much in half court offense, and has some struggles converting amongst the trees (shot under 50% inside the arc his last 2 seasons) … The minimal post up possessions he did show at Michigan don’t seem likely to transfer to the NBA level much … Will be 23 years old at the start of his rookie season, making his upside appear to be limited …

Overall: Livers brings experience as an important fixture in the lineups of some good Michigan teams over the past 4 seasons … He brings strong floor spacing ability with his 3 point shot, nice physicality and an unselfish style of play to the table, while also making gradual improvements each season as an overall defender, decision maker and cog in the offensive scheme … He lacks some size and athleticism as a PF, and may find it tougher to defend multiple positions in the NBA like he did in college, but he does have some skills, a smart approach to the game and plenty of experience at a high level program on his side that could lend him well as he looks to establish himself …

Notes: Measured: 6’5.75” barefoot, 6’7.25” in shoes, 8’8.5” standing reach, 231.8 lbs,  6’9.25” wingspan at the 2021 NBA Draft Combine …

Jorrye Nixon 7/23/21