I think that we have all been guilty of underrating Walker at some point in this draft process. I had him sitting outside of my top 60 for a long time. Fortunately, he keeps giving me reasons to like him. He is a hustler, who can rebound like crazy. He gets boards, dives for loose balls, and is a dog on defense. He is the exact type of player that every team needs. He is super active on both ends of the floor. He’s always hunting for open shots, and finding creative mismatches. He is super mobile for a guy of his size. If a team wants versatility, then Walker is the player to take. In the NBA, he will probably be able to play both forward positions, and a little bit of small ball center. His athleticism jumps out, as well his knack for the game. He makes smart passes, and is good at cutting to the hoop. His pick and roll game has expanded since his freshman season, and he is really starting to blossom. While his three point shooting isn’t outstanding, his form is nice. One of his other methods of scoring is simply getting to the line. He isn’t afraid of contact, so he is excellent at drawing fouls. He is a jack of all trades on defense. Nothing too flashy, but he is a plus defender. He keeps it interesting. He has the near perfect archetype for the NBA, and is impossible not to like. He is a joy to watch.

Comparison: Kyle Kuzma (?), Rui Hachimura, Dennis Rodman (?)

Projected Draft Range: 32-60

Height 6'9

Weight 215 lbs

Wingspan 7'0

DOB 7/30/02 (Draft Age: 20)

Pre-Draft Team Colorado Buffaloes

Offense

• 75 FT% shooter career, has shown that he may be a good perimeter C&S player, but his game has suffered this year because he's tried to keep shooting 3's with little success.

• Good offensive rebounder and motor, will have his share of putbacks.

• Shooting mechanics are pretty fluid.

• Some potential to put the ball on the deck, but too easily gets violent and out of control. A candidate to commit a charge.

• Likes to get out and run, comfortable leading the break and will even pull up.

• Glimpses of really strong offensive versatility.

• Good athleticism. Not a freak vertically or the most fluid, but a positive athlete.

Defense

• Very good rebounder. Great frame, strength and technique.

• Good feet, highly versatile, switchy defender. Can handle smaller players in space.

• Strong, aggressive and physical, a strong presence to have on the defensive end.

Swing Factors

• Defensive Versatility - His most intriguing skill and why is stock should be high. He needs to fulfill this part of his potential to become the highest value he can. Potential to guard three, four or even all five positions.

• Perimeter Shooting - Should end up being a good knock down C&S guy, if he can push percentages to the 40s while being a PNR force he will be tough to account for.

Role

• A highly versatile two way player who rebounds, defends, knocks down open looks and crashes the offensive glass.

• LOW: Athletically Walker is a little overmatched, he struggles from NBA range at the three. His feet are slower in comparison to NBA wings and guards. He fill out the end of a roster or rotation as guy who does a little bit of most skills.

• HIGH: Walker immediately sticks as a defender being used to defend three or more positions. He's a highly effective rebounder who creates extra possessions. Offensively he becomes a highly reliable C&S guy and a formidable PNR roll man. He becomes a starter and one of the more versatile bigs in the league, catching on as something like a more effective rebounding, Robert Covington.

Player analysis

Jabari Walker is a lengthy two-way forward who many expected to rise up draft boards from his freshman to sophomore seasons but instead he actually stayed around the same range because of his lack of production. He is an effective defender at 6’8 and he guarded the best offensive player on the floor more often than not for Colorado but he often got bullied whenever he was switched onto a big, he doesn’t really have an issue with length or strength but he isn’t a superb athlete and he falls closer to average. He runs the floor well and can get up to the rim but doesn’t throw it down with strength and he doesn’t have the it-factor to be a real slasher in the league outside of open transition. I do think his ability on perimeter defense and the way he gets steals will open up opportunities for him but I just don’t see him as a real offensive threat. I like many players in the draft at his position a lot more because of intangibles but many scouts have him as an early second round pick so maybe i’m missing something. In terms of shooting he posted average splits at Colorado which isn’t too enticing to me because his release is slower and it was mainly because he was given open opportunities a decent amount from being on the court so much. Again maybe I’m missing something but I just don’t see him being an effective player in the league due to lack of standout traits.

Projection

Draft range: [ 37 - undrafted ]

Comp: [ Bigger Daniel House ]

Tier 10 - Rotation Players Begins (goes until #40 - Ochai Agbaji) Tier Explainer: guys who should be in the league for a good amount of time on its outskirts, 8-15th men

will not be a liability. should be a good stretch 4, good defender, and great rebounder for his size. however, inconsistent touch/shooting + lacking athleticism limit his projection. could be a solid rotational player on a playoff team, for sure.

Strengths:

• Very good shooter for his size

• An elite pick and pop player

• A very good rebounder

• Has some nice upside as a perimeter defender

• Shows flashes of shot blocking ability

• Some nice length, looks to be a 3 or 4 in the NBA

• A good free throw shooter

Flaws:

• Not great verticality

• Quite a slim frame, can't really play the 5

• Has absolutely no playmaking ability

• Turn the ball over a bit too much for his role

• Lacks some of the athleticism that most NBA players have

One of the steadiest defenders in the draft. Keeps his feet moving and forces bad shots for offenses. Disrupts on the help side. Terrific in locating the ball. Hits corner threes often, a career 40% three-point shooter.

Shooting motion goes long at times. Not the fastest in the offensive game. Goes through a lot of contact on finishes.