Dream Fit: Suns, Thunder, Grizzlies

Overall Grade: 53.39

Projected Position: SF/SG

Strengths:

• Smooth motion off catch & shoot 3pt

• Can direct offense, screens & cuts

• Under control with drives (quick)

• Strong rebounder

• Good off ball movement., cuts and soft spot recognition

• Read defenders leverage well

• Comfortable with back to basket game

• Good hang time to score through contact, bumps and scoee

• Great hands on timing to strip ball

• Okay perimeter contests

• Puts ball in position to not get stripped in transition

• Good job switching to stop 3pt attempts off screens

• Able to recover off ball when he gets blown by

• Comfortable switching onto multiple positions

Weaknesses:

• First instinct is to pass

• Dribbles the ball way too high

• Multiple times stopped and jumped, forcing him to pass

• Not much of an offensive bag

• Not the most confident shooter

• Low 3pt%

• Stays on defenders hip, rather than getting in front of him

• Needs to work on hip mobility, flat footed unable to adjust defensively

• At times lingers on help d in paint leading to open 3s, also doubles too often

• Okay closeout and contest, but not elite on perimeter d

• Needs to take better defensive angles

Scouting Report: Noah Penda

Position: Forward
Height/Weight: 6'8", 225 lbs
Team: Le Mans Sarthe Basket (LNB Élite, France)

Draft Projection: Late first-round to early second-round pick in the 2025 NBA Draft

Overview:
Noah Penda is a promising French prospect who has steadily risen through the ranks of European basketball. Known for his versatility, athleticism, and defensive prowess, Penda has made a significant impact in the LNB Élite league. His international experience and ability to adapt to high-pressure situations make him an intriguing candidate for the NBA.

Strengths:

• Defensive Versatility: Penda excels at guarding multiple positions, using his length and instincts to disrupt opponents.

• Rebounding: Strong presence on the boards, particularly on the defensive end.

• Transition Play: Thrives in fast-break situations, finishing with athleticism and control.

• Basketball IQ: Reads the game well and makes smart decisions on both ends of the court.

• International Experience: His performances in tournaments like the FIBA U20 EuroBasket have showcased his ability to compete at a high level.

Areas for Improvement:

• Three-Point Shooting: Needs to improve consistency from beyond the arc to become a more complete offensive player.

• Shot Creation: Developing his ability to create his own shot will elevate his scoring impact.

• Physicality: Adding strength will help him handle the physical demands of the NBA.

Player Comparisons:

• Nicolas Batum: For his versatility and ability to contribute on both ends of the court.

• Deni Avdija: For his size, athleticism, and potential as a two-way player.

• Thaddeus Young: For his rebounding and defensive impact.

Summary:
Noah Penda is a dynamic forward with the potential to be a valuable contributor at the next level. His defensive versatility, rebounding, and basketball IQ make him a strong candidate for teams looking to add depth on the wing. With continued development in his shooting and offensive creation, he could carve out a significant role in the NBA.

Noah Penda

Position/Archetype: Plug And Play Wing Stopping Forward

College: (Pro) Le Mans - France

Pros:

• Size: 6'8 but really big for his age. Strong with a lot of weight on him and he knows how to use it offensively in the post and driving and on defence too. I think this is what makes him so translatable as he is already NBA big and know what he's doing with it.

• IQ: He understands where the next pass is, he has great feel for the game in that way spotting new openings with quick decision making when he can see the floor in the half court. And then Defensively he finds the ball and its path to disrupt the game

• Defence: I think this is the calling card for a guy like this right now, he's probably my top pure wing stopper in the draft, especially in the late first. I think he understands what he's doing as an on ball defender and getting in lanes and when he gets switched on to taller guys he can handle himself in the post with his weight. Can he get caught ball watching a little bit? Sure but thats something relatively easy to work on

• Shot Selection: Understands when to shoot his threes and when to go for certain shots and when to reset the play. Even if the efficiency from three or from the field isn't eye popping but the decision making and how he gets his shots off are to a pro level

• Connectivity: Again he's just a real simple fit with any type of player around him, he doesn't have Significant weaknesses which would cause you to question his fit with a team although he isn't perfect.

Cons:

• Athleticism: Doesn't wow you athletically, actually doesn't seem to be explosive at all, doesn't jump high and doesn't look easy, not fast enough to burst past people without relying on his size to post up push past. That explosively is what causes him to miss sometimes at the rim.

• Handle plus Pressured decision making: When he drives he puts his weight forward and kinda goes in without a plan, just straight through and then when he gets contested win that he can end up traveling and getting stuck and making poor decision so he needs to be more tame I believe.

• Upside: I don't see there being a lot of upside here, I think tops he ends up a Tobias Harris kind of guy, he is 20 so still quite young but not the youngest and there isn't a particular skill out side of the wing stopping I think he's elite at, he's a smart player but i'm unsure thats gonna carry his weight too far.

NBA Pro Comp: Tobias Harris, Thabo Sefolosha, Nicolas Batum

Projection: Really Solid Bench piece who's physicality, IQ and game feel will keep him in the league long term. Relatively high floor.

CHEESE FINAL BOARD RANKING: (coming soon)

https://youtu.be/_yJ7ioqJ4Fc?si=kp3Sh4hNuiV8BL-_ (Season ended last night so no season Highlights, here's an AVC video with a breakdown. Will Be updated with highlights when out)

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Athletic wing. He's raw but a does a lot of things well. He has high upside. Has a big body and is a really good defender. I'm not as high on him as the consensus.

NBA Comp: Boris Diaw, Precious Achiuwa

Comp: Toumani Camara/Kenrich Williams

• great defensive versatility; a big wing at 6’8”, 225, but is quick footed, can guard any position and can offer great secondary rim protection. super high defensive upside and high defensive floor

• decent outside jumper that just recently started falling at a good clip

• good passer but more of a connector with a high IQ than an actual playmaker

• struggles to self-create and rarely drives; lacks a handle

• poor body control

• high-end role player ceiling

Penda plays with a veteran's mind and a winning mentality, offering connective playmaking, switchable defense, and high-level feel. He’ll need to improve his jumper to stick long-term, but his unselfish game and defensive utility give him a strong foundation.

Pros:

Playmaking

Knows his role

Defense

Cons:

Shooting

Shot creation

Athleticism

Comparisons: Boris Diaw, Thabo Sefolosha