NBA Comparison: Desmond Bane/ Kelenna Azubuike

Strengths: A lean, yet strong 6’6 215 wing who looks the part physically and should have no problem matching up on the wing at his size and length (6’10 wingspan) … Also has long striding speed and outstanding leaping skills, having measured with a 2-step vertical of 42” last summer at the NBA Combine … Has embraced the “Big Man on Campus” role as a Sr. after being a high-end role player most of his first 3 seasons, and is currently averaging about 20 ppg while shooting an impressive 43% from the 3-point line (on nearly 7 attempts), and has increased his attempts and efficiency from deep each season at KU … Has solid pre-shot footwork and a smooth, high release; and has fared better on contested shots this season compared to years past, a sign of increased confidence … Has made nice strides at operating using ball screens to score as a Sr., something he likely won’t be asked to do much at the NBA level, but it doesn’t hurt to be able to utilize this to your advantage on the perimeter … Has always had good projections into a traditional 3-and-D role at the next level, but has subtly progressed in his ability to hit shots off the bounce from 15-18 ft., and can make defenders pay for aggressive and/or lazy closeouts … Has experience defending the other team’s best wing and is effective switching all over the perimeter, with promising on-ball defensive skills … Solid ability as a transition player, can run the floor and finish at the rim well (career 53% FG inside the arc) but also is effective trailing or stepping into 1-2 dribble pull-ups in space … Excellent timing as a backdoor lob threat, looks to sneak behind the defense for dunks and high percentage shots … Has encouragingly shown a flair for the dramatic as a Sr, coming thru in the clutch a number of times with key shots and plays for Kansas … Has scored in double figures in every game so far this season, illustrating a more aggressive approach than in past seasons … Not quite as much of a low upside prospect as your typical 4-year college player, still learning the nuances of the game and was a late blooming recruit with a heavy soccer background before turning his attention strictly to basketball during HS …

Weaknesses: Not particularly creative or shifty as a ball-handler, prefers to mostly go north and south with the ball having mixed results attacking set defenses when his initial move is cut off … Still not quite the sum of his parts as a player despite a big Sr. season, especially when looking at his instincts and awareness on the defensive end … Has been touted as a potential lockdown defender on the wing, but he has never quite been the type of playmaker on that end that his physical tools and athleticism suggest he could be in terms of forcing turnovers and getting deflections (just under 1 spg and 0.4 bpg for his career) … Plays strong on-ball defense, but plays somewhat upright and undisciplined fundamentally, meaning he can more easily be back cut or washed out of plays with screens by players that move well without the ball … Has been much less of a problem as a Sr., but Agbaji had a reputation of disappearing and coasting during big games/down the stretch of seasons a bit throughout his KU career … Not much of a playmaker for others (even 1.6/1.6 A/TO for his career), and shouldn’t be asked to be a secondary ball-handler at the next level… Feel for the game and basketball IQ are improving, but both are just middling for NBA standards currently … Doesn’t get to the FT line much (2.4 FT per game for his career) and his mediocre efficiency once there (career 70% FT shooter, career-best 73% as a Sr.) bringing some question to his touch and whether or not his hot shooting this season is sustainable … Just OK rebounding ability considering his physical skills (career 4.3 rpg)

Overall: Ogbaji has done himself as big a favor as almost everyone in the 2022 draft class with his Sr. season after flirting with entering the 2021 draft this past summer…His measurables and athletic testing were strong as expected but he didn’t perform as well as he’d have liked in the drills and scrimmages, and decided to head back to KU to improve his stock…Now, as a 4-year starter, Ogbaji is having a breakthrough Sr. season that will undoubtedly have him in the running for the NPOY at the end of the season…He is next in line of talented Kansas wings that will play at the NBA level, and he has some clear strengths that could allow him to stick for many years…He fits in the mold of a Trevor Ariza or Mikal Bridges type who has the athleticism, perimeter defensive potential and floor spacing skills that could prove valuable on the wing, especially for a team with other shot creators on the perimeter…He does have some things to polish with his fundamentals and skill level on both ends of the court, and will be 22 years old as a rookie, but he has played himself into the lottery discussion after getting late 2nd round projections this past season, and could further solidify his spot and be the 1st upperclassman picked in the 2022 Draft if he continues his strong play in March

Notes: Measured 6’4.5” barefoot, 6’5.5” in shoes 6’10.0” wingspan 8’7.5” standing reach, 214.4 lbs, at the 2021 NBA Draft Combine …

Notes: Measured: 6’4.5” barefoot, 6’5.75” in shoes, 8’8.0” standing reach,  216.8 lbs, 6’10.25” wingspan at the 2022 NBA Draft Combine …

Jorrye Nixon 3/7/22