French guard Elie Okobo has become the latest top international prospect to enter his name in the 2018 NBA draft pool, according to ESPN’s Jonathan Givony. Agent Herman Manakyan informs Givony that Okobo has submitted the necessary paperwork to make himself draft-eligible for 2018.
“This was not a difficult decision for me. I am confident in my abilities, and I am focused on my goal of playing in the NBA,” Okobo told ESPN. “As I look at the field, I am confident I am one of the best point guards in the draft.”
While Givony ranks several point guards ahead of Okobo on his big board, the 20-year-old comes in at No. 38, giving him a chance to be a first-round pick this June. Okobo has had a very productive season for Pau-Orthez in the French League, averaging 13.0 PPG and 4.3 APG in 27 games (26.4 MPG). He has also knocked down 38.9% of his three-point tries.
As Givony details, Okobo has excellent size and scoring instincts, and has attracted “significant attention” this year from NBA scouts. In 2017, Okobo entered the draft and later withdrew his name, but he looks like a good bet to remain in this year’s class, Givony writes.
“I am confident this is the right time for me, and I am already receiving very strong feedback from the teams that have come to see me play this season,” Okobo said. “I hope to land with a team that is serious about player development that will help me to continue improving my skills.”
He will probably be a late first rounder for a high payroll team that wants to draft and stash someone for a few years.
Not so high on these Euro guys. A smaller percentage of them work out for the team drafting them.
Been a couple painful Euro drafts by my Warriors. Marco Belinelli was a bust until he figured it out 8 years in. Michael pietrus same thing European Jordan was his label.
Not sure about the Doncic kid. He’s only 6 8. Will he be any better than Wally Szczerbiak or McDermott?
I like the kid Wagner he’s about 7 feet can really shoot it from distance and looks aggressive enough to succeed. Yet they have him in the second round by the experts. Is he not as good as Markkanen of the Bulls who went 10th I think?
Frank Ni will be the cautionary reference for Okobo.
Way to spell Wally! He went 8th and Doncic might go not far from there, given the concerns. It may take him a while to adjust, like Tony Kukoc, long enough to accuse the GM of a bust. Szczerbiak is one fine worst-case!
Kukoc was a great success story but he had an advantage of 6-11 and could shoot the three at that size long before it became preferred skill.
Are you saying Doncic will be a success?
Thanks for Szczerbiak but I had to look it up of course.
IDK about Doncic. But I bet one will be able to tell fairly quickly if he has the scoots to keep up at guard. Kukoc could cover forwards and hide at times until he found the synergies.
Whenever a talented but raw European player that isn’t projected to go until the late first or early second round enters the draft, I just assume he’ll be picked by the Spurs