Believe it or not, Nzosa was seen as a potential #1 overall pick before the season started. He is talented, but still very raw. Because he was so highly touted, I still have a sliver of hope that he can develop into an NBA player. I don't see a whole lot in him, but I do think that he should get a shot in the G League.

NBA Comparison: Willie Cauley-Stein

Projected Draft Range: 55-Undrafted

Height 6'11

Weight 215 lbs

Wingspan 7'6

DOB 11/15/03 (Draft Age: 18)

Pre-Draft Team Unicaja Baloncesto Malaga

Offense

• Strong finisher to the hoop.

• Great burst for a man of his size. Can get up and down the court while beating other much smaller players.

• Awesome energy and motor.

• Gets out and runs in transition.

• Improving passer.

Defense

• Doesn't really impose his will in PNR drop coverages like he could.

• Potential as a good rim protector.

• Raw in technique, situational basketball right now. A major project.

Swing Factors

Role

• LOW:

• HIGH:

Player analysis

Yannick Nzosa was a big time favorite going into this year's draft cycle but now only 9 months later has become the biggest after thought for the draft. Teams fell in love with him as a mobile defender who played a nice role in the euro league as one of the bigger producers all time for players in his age group, him, Luka, and Rubio were the only teenagers in Euroleague history to post double digit points which put Yannick in an exclusive club as only a 17 year old. He went into this past season as a top five prospect in many mock drafts but came in and posted horrific efficiency on the offensive end and struggled with injury throughout the year which led him to a third stringer role for his club. Nzosa’s injuries weren’t a worry but the fact that his team pretty much gave up on him is certainly worrying not only for his game but also for confidence, Yannick really only brought pace and inconsistent defense last year. He was known mainly for his defensive footwork and timing, he combined his great length and IQ to make an impact on defense in the most competitive pro basketball league in the world. On offense he got to the rim amazingly well but it was most likely because he is very fast and mobile for center and not really because of real skill, I would like to see expansion in his offensive game but I wouldn’t blame him too much because the Euroleague didn’t have the patience to develop a jumpshot for him. He has a loose handle which just opens up a ton of turnovers for him especially in his transition and moving game which was his main way of scoring, overall he was turnover machine especially last year and he somehow racked over a turnover per game in a really limited minute restriction. Nzosa has an extremely long way to go if he wants to play but the situation he was in certainly did not do him any favors and all of his defensive instincts are still there, I hope teams weren’t too turned off by the production because all of the potential from a year ago is still there.

Projection

Draft range: [ 38 - 56 ]

Comp: [ Embiid before Kansas ]

Strengths: Athleticism and Defense Weaknesses: IQ and Shot Creation

High Side Comp: Serge Ibaka/Chris Boucher Low Side Comp: Gorgei Dieng/Ekpe Udoh

Ideal Fit: Dunker Spot and Roller with Anchor Potential and Switchable

Draft Range: 25-58

Result: 54- WAS

Athleticism: 8/10 Size: 4/5 Defense: 9/10 Strength: 2/5 Quickness: 7/10 Creation: 1/5 Jumpshot: 3/10 Finishing: 4/5 NBA Ready: 2/5 Ball Handling: 4/10 Passing: 4/10 Intangibles: 4/5 Potential: 9/10 TOTAL: 61 =Mid/Late First