Auburn’s Isaac Okoro believes he deserves consideration for the top pick in next month’s draft, writes Adam Zagoria for Forbes. Most of the discussion has focused on Anthony Edwards, LaMelo Ball and James Wiseman, but Okoro makes a case for the Timberwolves to take him first overall.
“Yes, I feel I should be the No. 1 pick because I go out every game and I compete and I give 100% effort,” Okoro said. “I’m just willing to do whatever any coaches want me to do, so I feel like me bringing a winning culture I should be the No. 1 pick.”
The 6’6″ forward had an outstanding season with the Tigers, averaging 12.9 points and 4.4 rebounds per game and earning spots on the SEC’s All-Defense and All-Freshman teams, along with second team all-conference honors. He believes he would be a good complement to the talent already in place in Minnesota.
“I could see myself fitting in there, playing with D’Angelo Russell, Karl-Anthony Towns,” Okoro said. “I feel like I could come in there and play my role, do whatever the coach needs me to do in the game and just win.”
There’s more draft news to pass along:
- Deni Avdija is likely to become the highest draft pick ever from Israel, notes Chase Hughes of NBC Sports Washington. The 19-year-old has spent the past two seasons in the EuroLeague, and although he hasn’t put up huge numbers, he has impressed scouts enough to be considered a top-10 selection. “It’s exciting. Any time you can make history or any kind of good thing to represent the Jewish community and the state of Israel, that’s an honor for me,” Avdija said.
- Ball is taking an unusual path to the NBA, but he tells Jace Frederick of the St. Paul Pioneer Press that his experiences, which included leaving high school early and playing in Lithuania and Australia, helped prepare him for the challenges ahead. “When I made that first move to Lithuania, that’s really when I grew up and stuff,” Ball said. “I realized what was going on. I wouldn’t change my journey, because it’s one of one. I like it.”
- Wiseman has moved into the second slot in the latest mock draft from Sam Vecenie of The Athletic. The writer sees Wiseman developing into a Defensive Player of the Year candidate, and players and trainers who have watched him work out say he looks “phenomenal.” Vecenie still has Ball as his No. 1 pick, with Edwards, Obi Toppin and Onyeka Okongwu rounding out the top five.
IMO
Okoro is a bad 3-point shooter, but has the best 3-point shooting skills.
Okoro is a good playmaker and defender.
He is not a safe pick, but he could be the best player on this draft.
In fairness, any of 20 players could be the best player in this draft. The best comparison is 2013. The best player wasn’t picked until 13. The top 12 range from solid starters to absolute busts. I think this year’s crop will be similar. I don’t know which player will end up being that mid 1st that breaks out. If I did know, I would make a fortune hoarding his rookie cards. But I just have a feeling this year, the best player will not be a top 10 pick.
Greek man was picked 15th
Was he 15? I knew Kawhi was 15, but I could have sworn Giannis was 13. Oh well, point remains the same.
Never mind, I was thinking of Donovan Mitchell that went 13 and was the best in his draft.
I am okay to see the top 5 picks are
Edwards and above 4.
Now that you approve. I guess they can hold the draft. I’ll let Adam Silver know.
IMO
The best on paint slasher on this draft is Okoro.
Comparable to Harden and Westbrook.
If he’s that good, then the Wolves decision at #1 is easy.
He’s not comparable to Harden at all.
You can compare him to anyone. You can compare to a duck if you want to.
Duck has poor court awareness and worse ball control.
Unlike Harden, duck has the liver of a champion.
Yeah, and Duck also has a tremendous vertical and a large wingspan for his height. He’ll do well at the combine.
Slashing in paint only
as good as Harden
Okoro is garbage
Thinks he’s a number 1 pick cause he averaged what 12 and 4, what a joke.
Let’s take a dive into his numbers.
He plays 31 minutes per game, and shoots 51% FG, 29% 3P% and 67.2% FT%. So for 30 minutes he won’t give you any spacing and can’t make easy shots at the line.
If you search up highlights on YouTube of him the first video brought to us is by inside the edge, and the first play is him being unguarded in the corner and cutting to the rim for a dunk.
I mean 90% of college kids probably make that play. If you continue to watch it he makes a couple open threes, and drives the lane and makes some lay ups.
He doesn’t make plays at all (2 assists), he doesn’t ball handle, he might have hit some threes but he’s not effective (29%). He might drive and finish well at the rim but with big bodies in the NBA I expect more physical contest, more misses and more trips to the free throw line were he struggles (67%). The one aspect I see which he should be fine is his defence, he can defend.
He reminds me of a lot of SFs that enter the league early as defenders who just need to work on their 3 point shot. But within 2 years don’t get much game time and usually don’t make their second contract with the team that drafted them.
I would have Okoro picked from around 8-15, I know there isn’t much talent but there is definitely better than this guy.
Anthony Edwards, James Wiseman, LaMelo Ball, Obbi Toppin and Tyrese Haliburton my top 5 Okungwu, Hayes, Avdija, Anthony the next 4 then the likes of Okoro and so on.
Lmao I like Okoro, but this has to be a joke. Borderline top ten in a weak draft. I like his confidence, but gtfo. I’d trade back for him, which was probably his goal with these comments, but he’s nowhere near a top 3 pick.
I wouldn’t say nowhere near. I have seen him as high as 7 in mocks. It’s not like this is a guy projected as a late 1st saying these things. Do you expect him to just say “Some people on the internet think other guys are better, so I’ll be happy being picked at 10?” I like the swagger, because he is propping himself up instead of trying to take others down.
I like your take on it, especially building himself instead of taking others down. But I stand by my statement. Lol
This is not a weak draft, it’s just one that scares FO’s and scouts because circumstances, including the shortened season and some US players not playing or playing overseas. The result is no fixed top. There isn’t a prospect as good as last year’s top 3. But there are at least 10 guys (including Okoro) better than the balance of last year’s draft. The Mock drafts are meaningless when NBA scouts are scrambling. Post-combine, they’ll be better, and I’m guessing a lot different.
RJ Hampton projected at 5th pick last year
Now he is projected at 25th by nbadraft net
It’s a strong draft, it’s just not great for those picking top 3. There is no clear future star or vaunted prospect. There are a couple dozen guys who would be seen as 4-10 picks in other years. It just means the teams at the top will have a tougher time and mid rounders should be able to get a player than normal.
Better player than normal that is.
I have a question. Is Avdija devout? In other words, would he not be able to play Friday night games? I read Sandy Koufax wouldn’t pitch on Friday night. This is a serious question, not meaning to be rude, I am literally ignorant here, looking for some information.
Maccabi Tel Aviv’s website shows Friday games scheduled for tip after 8:00pm local time, and there’s been no mention of Avdija missing games. Regardless of how religious he is, I’m guessing he plays Fridays.
What you read about Koufax is incorrect. He was not observant, and pitched routinely on the Sabbath. As far as I know, the only game he didn’t pitch due to his religious beliefs was Game 1 of the 1965 WS that fell on Yom Kippur.
I like Okoro’s hustle and attitude, but number one pick for a guy who could potentially become a poor man’s Jimmy Butler is a reach. In a good draft he goes around 15, in this one 6-10.
Wiseman plays defense @ the 5….enuff said Warriors.
I think wolves can get Avdija! he’s already a very polished player from a European player who’s 19 and just win the MVP in a very mature league” so my choice would be Avdija!
Avdija won an MVP in the under 20 Euro tournament. Perhaps they were all mature teenagers. He’s a good prospect, best in his age group across Europe, but he’s not the prodigy that Doncic was.
Okoro seems like a poor man’s Justise Winslow. Not worth a top 10 pick.
Except Winslow is a better passer. This is a pretty decent comparison
Justise Winslow was a top 10 pick. Besides, I seriously doubt there are 10 players in this draft that will outdo Justise Winslow’s fairly average career thus far in the same timeframe.
Okoro said strong things but it was standard, possibly scripted; nothing original that would indicate sincerity. I don’t even think of him as an all-out player, more like built and balanced.
But Miami’s forwards-up 2-3 makes Okoro more interesting, as does with Patrick Stewart, probably a lottery pick now even though he does not offer much immediately besides wing defense. Woodard or Tyler Bey may not be smart enough for something that may only be a change-up defense. I like Paul Reed Depaul for it, espn’s #51; Saddiq Bey, Achiuwa. And existing personnel on the Bulls.