NBA Comparison: Jordan Mickey/Luc Mbah a Moute

Strengths: A high energy four with great length (7-foot-3 wingspan) and solid all around skill set … Had a highly productive season at New Mexico State putting up 20 and 11.6 as a sophomore … Shows tremendous defensive ability, utilizing his huge wingspan and quickness … Very fast in the open floor and will outwork his opponent, hustling down the floor on every possession … On top of being a high level run jump athlete, shows great lateral speed … Was very effective guarding both on the perimeter and in the post … Can legitimately stay in front of guards out on the perimeter, which is unuaual for a 6-9 forward … Does a good job of staying down and not biting on fakes. Blocks a lot of shots without even leaving his feet, utilizing strong fundamentals by not reaching and putting his arms stright up … Gives great focus and energy on the defnsive end and causes havoc for offensive schemes with his great length … A high level rebounder who goes hard for every ball and utilizes his big hands and long arms to secure rebounds in and out of his area. At 11.6 rpg, was 8th overall in the country in rebounding … Offensive game has shown solid improvement. He’s comfortable creating shots on the block and has an effective hook shot … Shows the ability to attack the basket and good ball handling ability … Shooting efficiency is solid as he hit over 70% from the line in college (76% as a FR and 68% as a SO) and did a solid job of getting to the line (5.9 FT attempts per game) … His 44% on shots from the perimeter (where 60% of his looks came from), while not tremendous, is also not bad and shows that his game is not solely predicated on getting to the rim as is the case with some 4s … Figures to be an energy four giving defense and rebounding while his offensive polish develops …

Weaknesses: Playing in a mid-major, it will be tougher to convince teams that his numbers were legitimate and not enhanced by the level of competition … Turned 22 in January so there is some question about his upside, though his overall skill set and feel for the game is solid … His offensive game is a little unorthodox … At times his post skills can be too predictable as he often likes to go over his left shoulder on the block … Should look to develop a few go to moves and improve upon his footwork … Needs to add some upper body strength, though he has good strength (226.6 lbs) considering his weight and plays through contact well … While he has solid form and touch on his shot, he could stand to adjust his form some as he tends to shoot with his right elbow out and leans into shots … Not an elite level leaper, though solid … Could be a little more aggressive in attacking the rim for dunks … Not a rim protector or a big shot blocker (2.2 per game) considering his length, but could become better if he develops his technique and timing …

Notes: Measured 6′ 8.25” barefoot, 6′ 9.5” in shoes, 226.6 lbs, 7′ 3.25" wingspan, 8′ 11.5” standing reach, 5.20% body fat and a 9.25 hand length plus 30.5 standing and 36.5 max verticals at the 2016 NBA Draft Combine. . … Participated at the 2016 NBA Draft Combine scrimmages where he had a solid showing, in particular "his speed and energy in the open floor" according to scouts … Decided on May 25th after deliberating with his family to to keep his name in the 2016 NBA draft … Projected as a late-first to early second-round pick and shaping up to be one of the draft’s biggest sleepers …

Aran Smith 5/26/16