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)