Inseparable events from sports in the United States, drafts are the driving force behind the perpetual renewal of the major North American sports leagues. Twist of theater, twist of fate, disappointments, questions… Drafts are essential elements of American sporting culture. After a March Madness which has, as usual, reserved its share of surprises, the 2021 NBA draft is the new important date for NCAA and FIBA prospects. The opportunity for the CCS to mobilize to offer you a detailed profile of the best prospects. Without any particular hierarchy, you will find here all the information necessary to know the future rookies, or even the future stars of the NBA.
WHITE BROKEN
Date of birth : 20 avril 2000 – Class: Junior
Université : Kansas Jayhawks (Big 12) – With 2020/2021 : 21v/9d
Then: Fullback / Winger (#30)
Measurements
Size : 196 cm – Weight : 98 kg – Size: 201 cm
Season statistics
30 games played // 14.2 pts // 3.7 reb // 1.9 ast // 1.1 stl // 0.5 blk
33.7 minutes played/match // 42.2% FG // 38% 3pts // 68.9% FT // 1.4 Tov // 1.8 PF
PROFILE
PERSONAL & COLLECTIVE CONTEXT
The son of two parents who played basketball at university, Ochai Agbaji first started with soccer. In high school, between his freshman and junior years, Agbaji grew 9 inches tall. The opportunity for him to stop playing football to take up a sport a little more suitable for tall players: basketball. He therefore started basketball late, at the age of 16 (which may explain certain gaps). But Ochai was quick to show what he could do. 27.6pts/8.6rbds during his last year in high school and he left for Kansas with, on his CV, the label of 3-star recruit. After a timid but hopeful freshman season, Agbaji knew how to be patient and improve in most areas of the game, until this very successful junior season. In a fairly tough conference, Kansas surprised despite the lack of big potential within the squad. They finished 2nd in the Big 12 and went to March Madness before being knocked out (slapped) by Evan Mobley’s Trojans. Ochai Agbaji had to helplessly watch the defeat of his family. However, the 3rd year worked on his weak points. Enough to hope for a selection in the first round? Not sure…
PLAYER DESCRIPTION
Offensively, Ochai Agbaji is very limited. However, he is a hard worker who has made a lot of effort to improve his outside shooting. He went from a small 30.7% to 3pts during his freshman season (3.4 attempts/game) to 38% on 6.9 attempts/game in the past season. The progress is real and interesting. In addition, he has a very good game without the ball, 92% of his 3-point shots come from an assists and it turns to 40% in a 3-point catch&shoot situationwhich shows that he has confidence in his shot and that he is ready for this role of offball catch&shooter. Also note his athletic qualities which allow him to be very useful in transition.
Other than that, it’s close to nothing. If his outside shooting is improving, the free throws are not really keeping up with only 68.9% in LFs this season and almost the same percentages on average over his 3 NCAA seasons. The same goes for the mid-distance shot and this is really surprising because the mechanics are good. Don’t count on him to create his shot or place hooks, floaters and other pull ups (26% shooting on this type of shot).
Ochai Agbaji, on the other hand, is an excellent defender. It is versatile since it can defend positions 1 to 3 thanks to his already well-built physique and a lot of hustle. It’s a good defender on manhe lowers his center of gravity well, he is very responsive to hip rotations and changes of direction. It is also a good team defender with good rotation readingactive hands, good movement across screens and to ensure close outs.
On this side of the field, it is difficult to find fault with him. However, he may be a little short in terms of size and lower body strength to hold up against the best 3 positions in the NBA.
✔️ FORCES
- Elite defender (on and off ball)
- Defensive versatility (2 positions, or even 3 if it strengthens the lower body)
- Catch&Shoot
- 3&D potential
❌ WEAKNESSES
- Free throws far too low
- No playmaking
- No mid-distance shoot
- Can’t create his shot
- Limited offensive role (at best a 3&D in catch&shoot, at worst an exclusive defender)
DRAFT PREDICTION 2021
Mid second round (40 – 50)
Potentially interested teams: Boston Celtics, Brooklyn Nets
The Celtics have a young but still competitive squad. If many refute the idea of adding another young person to the squad, the low risk taken on the use of a second round of draft added to the needs of NBA ready players who can play without the ball could push the Celtics to turn towards this 3&D potential that is Agbaji. With two draft picks between 40 and 50, the Brooklyn Nets, if they use them, could turn to players who can contribute immediately. Like Andre Roberson already in their ranks, they could therefore turn to a young person capable of defending several positions while punishing from afar.
NOTE DU CCS : Tier “End of rotation”
It’s still a little early to really call Ochai Agbaji a true 3&D. He will have to adapt to NBA distance and his mid-range and free throw percentages are not promising. But the mechanics are good and the player is a hard worker so with a few months of work, the player could shoot corners well enough to have a useful role in an NBA rotation. If this is not the case, then the team that selects him will still have a defender of choice in its ranks.
*Third party of the CCS, explanations. It is very difficult to estimate the future of a prospect. To best embrace the potential of these young players, the CCS offers you a hierarchy by “thirds”, or “potential groups”.
Groupe 1 : Tier « Superstar » or the equivalent of a generational talent capable of changing the destiny of a franchise, or even the league.
Groupe 2 : Tier « All-Star », easy to guess, the prospect has the potential to become a franchise player.
Group 3: Tier “Starter++”the player can very well become the second or third option for his franchise.
Group 4: Tier “Starter/6th man”important role player or leader of the second unit.
Group 5: Tier “High rotation”8th or 9th, always valuable with a defined role.
Group 6: Tier “End of rotation”10th or 12th man with few minutes, a limited ceiling but can provide valuable services.
Groupe 7 : Tier « G-League/2Way »for them, they will have to fight to hope to have a future in the NBA, but everything remains possible for late hatching.
Find all our 2021 NBA Draft profiles here!
Tier « Superstar »
Tier « All-Star »
Evan Mobley
Tier « Starter ++ »
Jalen Johnson – Isaiah Jackson
Tier “Starter/6th man”
Kai Jones – Moses Moody – Sharife Cooper
Tier “High rotation”
Miles McBride – Yves Pons – Jeremiah Robinson-Earl – Greg Brown
Tier “End of rotation”
Daishen Nix – Herbert Jones
Tier « G-League/2Way »
