PorkChop wrote:All the concerns that folks have about Wiseman are the same concerns about okongwu
This from Espn..
Improvement areas
- Has some struggles with more traditional centers given his size at 6-9. Not the most physical post defender. Generally plays hard but had some no-show energy games.
- Strictly a 5 on offense at this stage. Took only 10 3s in 42 high school games, according to Krossover's database. Went 1-for-4 from 3 at USC. Decent mechanics from the free throw line but doesn't extend beyond that quite yet. Capable passer but not advanced. Not the most comfortable ball handler.
- Does he have the offensive upside to be more than a role player? If not, is he special enough defensively at 6-9 to warrant serious consideration in the top 10?
From all the video I have watched, I would actually say Okongwu looks to be the better pure defensive player. Seems to have better instincts than Wiseman, and moves a bit better in space. And while I actually love Okongwu around the basket offensively, he is EXTREMELY limited right now outside 5-10 feet. Wiseman will have a massive offensive advantage upon entering the NBA, while still being a capable defender. I would be hard pressed to pass on Wiseman for Okongwu from what I have seen on tape at this point.
PorkChop wrote:All the concerns that folks have about Wiseman are the same concerns about okongwu
This from Espn..
Improvement areas
- Has some struggles with more traditional centers given his size at 6-9. Not the most physical post defender. Generally plays hard but had some no-show energy games.
- Strictly a 5 on offense at this stage. Took only 10 3s in 42 high school games, according to Krossover's database. Went 1-for-4 from 3 at USC. Decent mechanics from the free throw line but doesn't extend beyond that quite yet. Capable passer but not advanced. Not the most comfortable ball handler.
- Does he have the offensive upside to be more than a role player? If not, is he special enough defensively at 6-9 to warrant serious consideration in the top 10?
From all the video I have watched, I would actually say Okongwu looks to be the better pure defensive player. Seems to have better instincts than Wiseman, and moves a bit better in space. And while I actually love Okongwu around the basket offensively, he is EXTREMELY limited right now outside 5-10 feet. Wiseman will have a massive offensive advantage upon entering the NBA, while still being a capable defender. I would be hard pressed to pass on Wiseman for Okongwu from what I have seen on tape at this point.
Hicks - I agree with your observation that Okongwu looks like the better pure defensive player. That's my take and I've watched about every video available of both multiple times. I also agree that Wiseman looks like the better offensive player right now. I'm not sure I'd agree that the gap is massive. I think Okongwu's superb shooting touch in the paint and, more importantly, his very solid free throw shooting suggest he can be a decent perimeter threat in the NBA and extent his range beyond the 3-point line. Overall, Okongwu seems to react faster and more more quickly in small spaces and laterally. I know I'm in the minority in thinking Okongwu is on par with Wiseman as a prospect. And Wiseman's length advantage is an important factor. So I'm not sure what I'd do if I were in Gersson's shoes.
