Profile
Then: Winger
Cut : 1m96
Weight : 97kg
Crew : Kansas Jayhawks (conférence Big 12)
Stats 2021/22 : 18.8 points (47.5% shooting, 40.9% 3-pointers), 5.1 rebounds, 1.6 assists
Presentation
Not many of the players expected in the first round of this 2022 Draft have played four seasons in the NCAA. This is indeed the case of Ochai Agbaji, who therefore completed a full course in Kansas, punctuated by a title of national champion in April, following a magnificent final once morest North Carolina.
Under the orders of Bill Self, the “swingman” native of Milwaukee first took his troubles patiently before hatching. During his “freshman” season (2018/19), he was a “role player” off the bench, in a Jayhawks squad led by veterans (Devon Dotson, Devonte’ Graham, Udoka Azubuike), and who reached the Final Four (loss to Michigan). The following year (2019.20), he joined the five majors but was only the fourth or even fifth option in attack.
His rise to power can really be seen from his third season (2020/21). If his playing time is substantially the same (from 33.3 to 33.7 minutes), his offensive responsibilities are greatly increased, following the departure of several executives to the NBA and other horizons. He finished this “junior” season with averages of 14.1 points, 3.7 rebounds and 1.9 assists, and attracted early interest from NBA franchises.
After initially registering for the 2021 Draft while maintaining his college eligibility, he finally decides to return for his fourth and final season in the NCAA.
A “senior” season that will prove to be memorable, both individually and collectively. By completing the exercise with nearly 19 points per game at 41% success behind the arc, Ochai Agbaji was voted the best player in the Big 12 conference. Above all, the Jayhawks finished the regular season at the top of the Big 12, then won the conference tournament before going for the Grail, the national title, at the end of an impeccable course at the “March Madness”, and a title of MOP of the Final Four.
After this university course completed until its end, marked by constant progression and an end in apotheosis, Ochai Agbaji is clearly assured of being selected in the first round of the Draft 2022.
POINTS FORTS
– The perfect “3&D”
All NBA teams dream of having a player of their profile, in addition to their star (or stars, depending on the team in question). Already 22 years old, his ceiling is logically lower than most of his comrades in this class of 2022. But his floor is very high: Ochai Agbaji brings solid fundamentals and will be a luxury role-player. The kind of second knife a team at the top of the table needs to go far. Like a Grant Williams for example, essential in the current course of the Celtics…
Defensively, the winger is a serious player. With an athletic profile, including a wingspan measured at 2m08 and very responsive support, he was able to “switch” once morest almost anyone at the NCAA level. The transition to the NBA will require adaptation from an athletic point of view, but the fundamentals of the player are very reassuring and seem easily transposable to the next level, at least once morest the backs. Facing the wingers, he may lack a bit of size.
In attack, his strong point is clearly the outside shot: almost 41% of success on 6.5 attempts per match! Stable support and powerful legs that give it good momentum, smooth mechanics and a clean finish, it’s all there. In the NBA, he won’t be a ball carrier, at least not a primary one. But that’s not a problem, because he doesn’t need the ball in his hands to shine. Very observant, he is always on the move and will be able to stand out for open shots in “catch-and-shoot”. We can easily imagine him doing great damage in the “corners”.
He also shines with his cuts to the basket, sources of many easy baskets in the NCAA. In a wide-play NBA, where players away from the ball benefit from lots of non-carrying screens, he’ll be like a fish in water. The “backdoors” should have no secrets for him.
– An experienced player
Some will see it as a defect, because its room for improvement is no longer very large, and it seems to have reached its ceiling level. This is indeed a reality, but you have to keep one thing in mind: the context.
Ochai Agbaji, whoever team chooses him on June 23, will not be a main ball carrier, nor an attacking leader. He will be a “role player” coming off the bench at first, perhaps a holder in the long term, alongside one or more stars. A bit like Reggie Bullock in Dallas, for example.
In any case, the experience accumulated by a “rookie” before his arrival in an NBA rotation is not to be underestimated. With a four-season course in one of the most important programs on the NCAA circuit, Ochai Agbaji is ready for the future. In the space of four years in college, he participated in three March Madness (four if the 2019/20 season had not been interrupted by the health crisis), including two “Final Four” and above all a national title .
The experience of big matches is no longer really a big challenge for him.
WEAK POINTS
– Dribbling gaps
Very gifted in “catch-and-shoot”, Ochai Agbaji is not as effective on shots out of dribble. Last season, he only converted 27.1% of his shots into 3-point pull-ups, and only 29.4% when it comes to mid-range shots. In other words: the creation of his shot is not developed, and he will need a strong creator in the NBA to be in ideal conditions.
Percentages to put into perspective with his role, that of a finisher essentially in “catch-and-shoot” or on cuts. But it is proof that his projection in the NBA is far from that of a potential ball carrier, even secondary.
– Little creation for others
Barely 1.6 assists per game last season for Ochai Agbaji, and a low average of 0.9 over all of his four NCAA seasons. He clearly won’t be a creator, that seems pretty clear.
However, this is not a totally unacceptable defect for a player projected as a “3&D” because he will be mostly at the end of the chain. However, it will be a question of finding the right balance in attack, between shooting and extra-pass, so as not to fall into “tunnel vision”, which might affect its effectiveness and therefore its playing time.
Comparison
Reggie Bullock et Jae Crowderfor the “3&D” winger profile, and potential luxury “role player” in a team at the top of the table.
Prognosis
Second half of the first round, between 15th and 20th position.
