I. Offense

Pluses

With his free throw, gets great wrist action on his shot, producing particularly high amounts of spin on the ball. Has especially high arc and a noticeably wide-set base. Above head release. Also shows nice touch around the hoop with the ability to go to either hand and involve the bank as needed (note: tendency to not follow-through on the jump-hook, often involving a floater-esque pushing motion)

Despite his limitations as a passer, Onyeka has shown some flashes in terms of awareness and generosity: turning his head before he’s even secured the ball to survey available options on the weakside, distributing carefully-played lobs in a high-low set, and kicking out with left. Has shown flashes of interior shovel pass ability

High rolling and finishing potential. This is catalyzed by his particularly quick and explosive leap, advanced torso flexibility, quick and reliable hands, a plus-differential wingspan, and standout energy levels

Superior effort and speed in transition–is going to have flexibility to play in a variety of offensive systems

Well-practiced and potent scorer in the post when he can get established. Occupies the left block with higher frequency but can comfortably play from both sides, and spin over either shoulder with no issues. Throws in a little craft while finishing around the basket, particularly with his left. Demonstrates nice patience to utilize pumpfake and shed shotblockers, keeps ball high and out of danger. Whether facing up, rolling, or with his back to the basket, the vast majority of his attempts fall in a range of 0-2 dribbles–largely a product of athletic advantages, a strong spin, and jump-hook ambidexterity featuring nice range (note: extended arm reaches well above rim)

On occasion has shown repertoire of advanced moves: can lace together a spin into an up-and-under scoop with nice fluidity, can access reverse pivots and drop-step feints without problem. Has thrown in a couple euro-steps this year. Gets great speed and balance on the spin while keeping the ball tight, which he periodically brings out multiple times in a sequence

Face-up equity: terrific speed and power with a rip through into a quick single dribble and high finish. This advantage can be especially apparent versus “big man” archetypes

Minuses

C&S technique is not terrible but remains a work in progress. Comfort level is not convincing: visible fluctuations in width of base and speed of hoist; can rush stabilizer alignment, and can neglect to follow through. Gets minimal dip with ball. Hop into motion is oftentimes late, disallowing for fluid rhythm

Does not reliably space the floor with reliable ball-handling or shooting

Passing touch is not a plus. His motion involves a lot of rigid “push” activity in which his movements appear highly mechanical. Isn’t comfortable in a live-dribble setting especially away from the paint and looks to immediately defer. Absent-mindedly throws slow and transparent passes. Developing comfort and fluidity in this facet will be a point of emphasis going forward

Can get lost versus large/physical defenders–generates a large chunk of his touches in these games via receiving penetration dish-offs and crashing the boards. Will need to work on carving out the seal versus larger counterparts at the next level, capitalizing with cuts, and throwing in spacing

Would like to see better execution versus the double team in recognizing the rotation earlier, avoiding pass turnovers, and hitting the open man

Onyeka has a habit of leaving his feet. This manifests in a few ways: this can negate any potential progress with a seal as he leaps for the entry pass; he can hastily commit to a double-clutch FGA from the mid-key area; he can take off prematurely in the face of an open lane

Succumbs to the box-out or fronted post too easily at times, taking himself out of the play

Questions to Consider

How does his handling and passing function in the “short roll”?

Can he develop enough comfort on the perimeter to start consistently providing some space?

How much are his shortcomings as a passer are purely a product of him being big at a young age and learning perimeter fundamentals late in his career?

Can he develop the strength to make himself a reliable post-up option versus NBA bigs? How much will a four-out setup help his openings into post-up action?

II. Defense

Pluses

Plus-level defensive rebounder with a high motor. Has the ability to snatch the ball one-handed. Does not require much loading time or space. Extended reach and strong hands allow him to pull the ball down from behind a crowd. Has the core strength and flexibility to arch way back to retrieve long overhead bounces

Real shot-blocking potential catalyzed by instincts, length, and vertical pop. Limited loading time. Onyeka builds upon this with instincts that show him pre-jumping before the oppositions gathers into the motion–allowing for the maximum window to alter the shot

Legitimate E-W / N-S speed when engaged in one-one-one scenario and can promptly swap directions and angles

Versatility: Onyeka fills the role of a rim protector and for his archetype, boasts plus-level acceleration, top speed, and a vertical leap. While he does have some areas to address, Onyeka could realistically guard up to three to four positions (a decent variety of archetypes) at the next level

Generates loose balls by being proactive in the perimeter passing lanes

Has demonstrated proper execution with verticality to alter shot trajectory

Reflexes are on the quicker side

Legitimate closeout speed and contesting ability when keyed in on shooters

Stays under control–low foul rate given activity levels and age

Minuses

In the spirit of maintaining rhythm and propelling with momentum, Onyeka often employs a “rocking” motion as he transitions to a backpedal or SE/SW slide. This is likely to spell trouble at the next level with dynamic guards attacking his lead foot and/or employing shifty maneuvers into the paint. Ideally, Onyeka can remain in a sliding stance with his weight towards his toes utilizing hip-swaps as needed

Onyeka will sometimes neglect to remain competitive with the slide/bump purely effort to land the block from behind

Double teams and top-down help lack verve and desirable activity levels

Trigger-happy versus pump-fakes, too often caught airborne

Doesn’t trust himself to defend in space yet: too often self-relegates by readily entering “retreat” mode, involving flat feet. In a one-versus-two situation is more often affecting zero than two. Does not get in the space of the defender until a shot is imminent. Footwork is iffy in the pick-and-roll, often pre-committing to shading hard one direction or hedging hard versus ghosts

Lightness on feet and speed of acceleration masks Onyeka’s relatively inefficient movement patterns when he is guarding outside of the post–note propensity to load before a shot-block attempt which he can sometimes insert multiple times versus a drive. His footwork could use clean-up to maximize his potential

Relents too much space by not bodying up the ball-handler, especially in the post–needs to utilize chest bump and would benefit from proactively lowering center of gravity

Semi-consistently late to close out on shooters as he can be late in processing potential kick-out threats

Questions to Consider

A few instances this season of late processing speed on reading bounce angles off the defensive glass. Is this fatigue-related or does he struggle when not seeing full shot trajectory?

How easily can he clean up pathing/footwork inefficiencies given that he is a high level athlete?

III. Statistical Profile

Courtesy of Basketball-Reference and Synergy Sports Technology:

Key notes:

No glaring weaknesses statistically

Getting to the line at a solid rate, evidenced by a Free Throw Rate of .524

Conducts almost all of his shooting activities deep in the key

Scoring efficiency worthy of praise: 64.3% TS; 74.1% conversion rate from 0-3 feet (not pictured)

Desirable point production and rebounding numbers

Generating a poor number of assists per TOV

Averaging an outstanding rate of 5.4 Stocks per 40 minutes with only 3.3 PF

IV. Physical Profile & Miscellaneous

December 12, 2000 DOB (19.16 years)

B-plus overall athlete for archetype

Estimated 6’9.5″ with a 7’1″ wingspan

Appears to be on the quieter side, but has assumed a leadership role defensively

Excellent leaper for size in regards to both speed of ascension and vertical height (36.5-37.5″?)

Forward-leaning neck

Highly powerful above-the-rim finisher, unblockable tomahawk

Full-fledged sprint hints at flat-footed running form, not easing in and out of impact

May have a particularly flexible groin that allow for instantaneous “wide coverage”–cutting off the baseline drive, recovering into a contest near the rim, extending outward for a contest

Excellent motor and true transition threat, but could look to reproduce same high-energy tendencies while playing perimeter defense and finishing out possessions

Quick load time but does prefer re-calibrating leading into two-footed explosion

Uninspiring coordination/fluidity in perimeter-oriented skills: ball-handling, passing, shooting

Airborne: habitually inserts a hop step and/or forward-back rocking motion when showing/hedging/zoning the pick-and-roll; can leave feet often and early on both sides of ball

Could utilize strength better in post defensively (chest bump, lower center of gravity). As it stands, overall strength and positioning tactics remain relative non-factors. Can get boxed out by smaller guys, go quiet versus physical defenders

V. Archetypal Diagnosis

Offense: Play Finisher

Defense: Rim Protector-plus

VI. Gradient Score vs. Same-Archetype Prospects

VII. Overall Outlook

Evidenced by the high number of “twos” in his Gradient Score and by checking off a lot of the main categories you look for in a big prospect, Onyeka Okongwu certainly brings a lot to the table in the Play Finisher/Rim Protector role. There is a sense, however, that a lot of his production pulls from athleticism/energy advantages versus his current counterparts–it appears unconvincing that his IQ and skills will harmonize in a way to promote for high improvement levels going forth. Furthermore, a few of the areas where there are question marks–P&R defense, post-up potency versus physical/aggressive defenses, perimeter-oriented skills–remain as areas that are especially relevant at the next level due to NBA schemes. Onyeka presents an option as a relatively “safe” pick with bankable rotation player equity, and his rim protection is certainly some of the best you’ll find in the draft, but it seems unlikely that he is deserving of a top-10 selection.