Hes a very graceful player. Season 1 Shades Of. Try a week on us. And what happens the rest of this week could play a big role in helping him make that decision. Possessing a strong combination of length, quickness, and strength, Agbaji has a nice base of tools to work with defensively and no shortage of big game experience. When he's not covering KU sports, he likes to spend his time playing basketball and golf, listening to and writing music and traveling the world with friends and family. Offense 82. Youre a fan of the NBA. Playmaking from Ochai Agbaji in Cavs Summer League is wishful thinking Kansas coaches said he would always have the scouting report memorized and ask questions if there was something he wasnt sure about or thought his teammates might not know. He shot 47.5% from the field and made around 41% of his 3-pointers. Able to play way above the rim in space, he was the target of both designed lobs and a consistent threat to cut backdoor catching opposing defenders sleeping. Oak Park HS in Kansas City, Missouri, Draft: [12] As a sophomore, Agbaji averaged 10 points and 4.2 rebounds per game and finished second on the team with 46 three-pointers. You can email the site owner to let them know you were blocked. Ochai Agbaji 95 OVR. Matt Winer and Steve Smith react to Ochai Agbaji going #14 overall in the 2022 NBA Draft. Denies Tyty's drive baseline and then while Tyty gets a step on him; he still gets a decent contest on the recovery. 92.205.107.238 Position SG/SF. Even though he is a streaky player, Agbajis offense off the bench could pair perfectly with Bones Hyland and Monte Morris and his defensive upside would also really boost the Nuggets second unit. Join our linker program. He averaged 18.8 points per game while shooting 48% from the field and 41% from 3 last season . [17] On April 24, Agbaji declared for the 2022 NBA draft. Overall, hes a great kid. Shooting His older sister, Orie, played volleyball for Texas. You can email the site owner to let them know you were blocked. More aggressive looking for his own shot than he was in the past, he had an efficient season while balancing his developing floor game and terrific consistency as a spot up shooter. This website is using a security service to protect itself from online attacks. He shot 4-of-7 from distance in a Memphis Summer . [3] In his basketball career at Oak Park, Agbaji did not receive offers from any Power Five college programs until his senior season. Where was Ochai Agbaji born? Agbaji averaged 14.1 points and 3.7 rebounds per game as a junior last season in 33.7 minutes per game for the Jayhawks. Strengths: A lean, yet strong 66 215 wing who looks the part physically and should have no problem matching up on the wing at his size and length (610 wingspan) Also has long striding speed and outstanding leaping skills, having measured with a 2-step vertical of 42 last summer at the NBA Combine Has embraced the Big Man on Campus role as a Sr. after being a high-end role player most of his first 3 seasons, and is currently averaging about 20 ppg while shooting an impressive 43% from the 3-point line (on nearly 7 attempts), and has increased his attempts and efficiency from deep each season at KU Has solid pre-shot footwork and a smooth, high release; and has fared better on contested shots this season compared to years past, a sign of increased confidence Has made nice strides at operating using ball screens to score as a Sr., something he likely wont be asked to do much at the NBA level, but it doesnt hurt to be able to utilize this to your advantage on the perimeter Has always had good projections into a traditional 3-and-D role at the next level, but has subtly progressed in his ability to hit shots off the bounce from 15-18 ft., and can make defenders pay for aggressive and/or lazy closeouts Has experience defending the other teams best wing and is effective switching all over the perimeter, with promising on-ball defensive skills Solid ability as a transition player, can run the floor and finish at the rim well (career 53% FG inside the arc) but also is effective trailing or stepping into 1-2 dribble pull-ups in space Excellent timing as a backdoor lob threat, looks to sneak behind the defense for dunks and high percentage shots Has encouragingly shown a flair for the dramatic as a Sr, coming thru in the clutch a number of times with key shots and plays for Kansas Has scored in double figures in every game so far this season, illustrating a more aggressive approach than in past seasons Not quite as much of a low upside prospect as your typical 4-year college player, still learning the nuances of the game and was a late blooming recruit with a heavy soccer background before turning his attention strictly to basketball during HS , Weaknesses: Not particularly creative or shifty as a ball-handler, prefers to mostly go north and south with the ball having mixed results attacking set defenses when his initial move is cut off Still not quite the sum of his parts as a player despite a big Sr. season, especially when looking at his instincts and awareness on the defensive end Has been touted as a potential lockdown defender on the wing, but he has never quite been the type of playmaker on that end that his physical tools and athleticism suggest he could be in terms of forcing turnovers and getting deflections (just under 1 spg and 0.4 bpg for his career) Plays strong on-ball defense, but plays somewhat upright and undisciplined fundamentally, meaning he can more easily be back cut or washed out of plays with screens by players that move well without the ball Has been much less of a problem as a Sr., but Agbaji had a reputation of disappearing and coasting during big games/down the stretch of seasons a bit throughout his KU career Not much of a playmaker for others (even 1.6/1.6 A/TO for his career), and shouldnt be asked to be a secondary ball-handler at the next level Feel for the game and basketball IQ are improving, but both are just middling for NBA standards currently Doesnt get to the FT line much (2.4 FT per game for his career) and his mediocre efficiency once there (career 70% FT shooter, career-best 73% as a Sr.) bringing some question to his touch and whether or not his hot shooting this season is sustainable Just OK rebounding ability considering his physical skills (career 4.3 rpg), Overall: Ogbaji has done himself as big a favor as almost everyone in the 2022 draft class with his Sr. season after flirting with entering the 2021 draft this past summerHis measurables and athletic testing were strong as expected but he didnt perform as well as hed have liked in the drills and scrimmages, and decided to head back to KU to improve his stockNow, as a 4-year starter, Ogbaji is having a breakthrough Sr. season that will undoubtedly have him in the running for the NPOY at the end of the seasonHe is next in line of talented Kansas wings that will play at the NBA level, and he has some clear strengths that could allow him to stick for many yearsHe fits in the mold of a Trevor Ariza or Mikal Bridges type who has the athleticism, perimeter defensive potential and floor spacing skills that could prove valuable on the wing, especially for a team with other shot creators on the perimeterHe does have some things to polish with his fundamentals and skill level on both ends of the court, and will be 22 years old as a rookie, but he has played himself into the lottery discussion after getting late 2nd round projections this past season, and could further solidify his spot and be the 1st upperclassman picked in the 2022 Draft if he continues his strong play in March, Notes: Measured 64.5 barefoot, 65.5 in shoes 610.0 wingspan 87.5 standing reach, 214.4 lbs, at the 2021 NBA Draft Combine , Notes: Measured: 64.5 barefoot, 65.75 in shoes, 88.0 standing reach, 216.8 lbs, 610.25 wingspan at the 2022 NBA Draft Combine . As a senior at the University of Kansas, Agbaji was named a consensus first-team All-American and voted the Big 12 Player of the Year in 2022. Agbaji is an exceptional on-ball defender who has a knack for staying in front of his opponent and forcing them to take tough contested shots: Good on-ball defense from Agbaji here. "Agbaji, one of the best shooters in the draft with a 6-10 wingspan and chiseled frame, projects as a plug-and-play, 3-and-D prospect who should be ready to contribute . Welcome to The Ringer's 2023 NBA Draft Guide. All rights reserved. Has a clear role at the next level with his prototypical physical tools and spot up shooting ability. Copyright 2000-2023 Sports Reference LLC. Agbaji always seem to have a really good base when he gets the ball and that helps him rise up and show off his smooth stroke. Defensively, Agbaji has the length (a 6-10 wingspan), quickness and strength to be an effective switchable defender. Cleveland Cavaliers, 1st round (14th pick, 14th overall), 2022 NBA Draft, More Ochai Agbaji pages at Sports Reference. NBA draft combine 2022: Top measurements, other testing for prospects During his four years at Kansas, Agbaji was an incredibly streaky player who experienced a number of dry spells. His best spots were the corners, drilling 58.3%. Even when hes not scoring, his defense can keep him on the floor. Has the size to defend the bigger scorer wings, along with the foot speed to stay in front of the smaller, more dynamic off-guards. He was not immune to lapses off the ball as a senior, but allowed only 0.63 points per isolation possession [69th percentile] while doing a nice job fighting over screens doing good work at the point of attack. 3 Kansas upended by No. After declaring for the 2021 NBA Draft following his junior year and attending the NBA Draft Combine before returning to school, Agbaji faced steep expectations in his fourth year under head coach Bill Self. Two years ago, when Devon Dotson was trying to decide whether to stay or go after his freshman season, he wanted to hear that he was a lock for the top 40 and never got it so he returned to KU and delivered an All-American sophomore season. Question, Comment, Feedback, or Correction? The NBA draft combine tipped off on Wednesday as 80-plus prospects competed in various on-court activities in front of scouts, coaches and executives in Chicago, Illinois. Buzzworthy Picks 2022: Ochai Agbaji - At The Hive Ochai Agbaji could definitely help the Cavs as a knockdown catch-and-shoot threat early on, but even in Summer League, playmaking is a different story. Playing off someone like Nikola Jokic could unlock Agbaji as a player and help him grow even more, which he already has done a really solid job of throughout these past four seasons. Performance & security by Cloudflare. They need help offensively more than ever that Doke went down, and if they want to make a run in March, Ochai can be the guy that can get this offense going. Notes: Measured 6'4.5" barefoot, 6'5.5" in shoes 6'10.0" wingspan 8'7.5" standing reach, 214.4 lbs, at the 2021 NBA Draft Combine Notes: Measured: 6'4.5" barefoot, 6'5.75" in shoes, 8'8.0" standing reach, 216.8 lbs, 6'10.25" wingspan at the 2022 NBA Draft Combine Jorrye Nixon 3/7/22 Rewards '23 NBA: Series 2 Reward. How Kansas' Ochai Agbaji, Christian Braun, Jalen Wilson performed at It's a running joke of sorts, but that player will probably have a rather expansive wingspan and a lot . Ochai Agbaji was born on April 20, 2000. Weight: 215. 0:19; See All. Ochai Agbaji gets up for huge one-handed poster. The Denver Nuggets are onto the second round following an exciting game five that saw them eliminate the Minnesota Timberwolves. 0:19; Ochai Agbaji impresses with nice bucket. The action you just performed triggered the security solution. University of Kansas senior-to-be Ochai Agbaji has been in Chicago for the past few days, running through initial evaluations at the NBA combine. BY KEVIN O'CONNOR. Matt lives in Lawrence with his wife, Allison, and two daughters, Kate and Molly. Ochai Agbaji gets up for huge one-handed poster. His coaches say he made a huge leap mentally, thanks to what Beckner put him through a year ago. From NBA preseason basketball to the NBA Summer League, you know everything that goes on throughout the calendar year. Who Are Olofu & Erica Agbaji? Ochai Agbaji Dad And Mom - Mixedarticle Ochai Agbaji with the strong direct pass to Marcus . Click to reveal [69th percentile] while doing a nice job fighting over screens doing good work at the point of attack. This go-round he was prepared, and Compton got to see how much the work mattered when their time together was finished and Agbaji was off touring the NBA, working out for different teams. We present them here for purely educational purposes. Plays. Ochai Agbaji to burn Redshirt play for Kansas this Year 3rd highest vertical leap, 3rd lowest body fat %, 5th fastest 3 quarter court sprint. At minimum, Agbajis shooting and defense should carry over to the NBA. Ochai Agbaji Game by Game Stats and Performance | ESPN Compare. What Ochai Agbaji brings to the Cleveland Cavaliers: 'He's a very Agbaji is not afraid to make the hustle plays you need to be successful and showcased that a number of times in the NCAA Tournament during Kansas title run. KU would set him a lot of pin downs. As a senior, he averaged 27.6 points and 8.6 rebounds per game for Oak Park and was named Kansas City Star All-Metro player of the year. 2022 NBA Draft: Cleveland Cavaliers select Kansas' Ochai Agbaji at No His quickness allows for him to stay in front of his opponent and beat him to his spot on the drive. But youre going to watch the NBA Draft on Thursday and as each player comes off the board, youll realize you know a lot less about this sport than you thought you did. Kansas Jayhawks senior forward Jalen Wilson was asked to carry the load offensively this year with Ochai Agbaji leaving for the NBA. Agbaji should thrive in the NBAs pace-and-space game, because you have to find him in transition. Ochai Agbaji - Wikipedia But he also brings the kind of character the Cavs believe will fit with what they've built. He set a Final Four record by shooting 85.7 percent on 3s (6 of 7) in the win over Villanova. Ochais still been the most aggressive guy, regardless if the balls going in the hole or not.. [51st percentile], he found mixed results navigating the midrange and lacked fluidity on some attempts but scored in bunches when he found a rhythm off the dribble. This is what the Cleveland Cavaliers getting in Agbaji, who was one of the most improved players in college basketball this past season. Ochai Agbaji NBA Draft, Ochai Agbaji Analysis, Ochai Agbaji News His body fat percentage was the third lowest of all players at the combine. [25], Agbaji's father, Olofu, moved from Nigeria to the U.S. when he was 17. inMilwaukee,Wisconsin He hauls ass in transition, and he can stop on a dime and be on balance, Kansas coach Bill Self said. Data Provided By 14 overall pick in the 2022 NBA Draft. In 2021, he was named the Kansas Sportswriter of the Year by the National Sports Media Association. College Basketball at Sports-Reference.com, Scores from any date in BAA/NBA or ABA history, Frequently Asked Questions about the NBA, WNBA and Basketball, Basketball-Reference.com Blog and Articles, Subscribe to Stathead Basketball: Get your first month FREE. He has worked at Bleacher Report as the sites national college basketball writer and also covered the sport for CBSSports.com and Basketball Prospectus. Be sure to comply with laws applicable where you reside. One of the more favorable measurements for Agbaji was his wingspan, which was 6-10 5.5 inches longer than his height without shoes. Since day one when he got back (last summer), I think he wants to be the best player on the floor even when hes not the best player, Self said. He was almost on another level as far as how hard he goes and his pre-workout routine.. Your IP: Defense 86. C.J. How Ochai Agbaji is performing at the 2021 NBA Draft Combine Agbaji is proficient in catch-and-shoot situations and in transition. The extremely long (7-2 wingspan?!) Hes eager to learn. If Agbaji is close with another prospect and that player is two years younger than him it makes it more likely an NBA team is going to take the player with more upside. The 2023 NBA Draft Tiers of Anarchy - by Tyler Rucker Polished swingman who went from playing out of necessity as a freshman at Kansas to being the best player on a national championship team. The Ringer's 2023 NBA Draft Guide ", "Cavaliers Sign 2022 Draft Picks Ochai Agbaji and Isaiah Mobley", "Cavs Acquire Three-Time All-Star Donovan Mitchell", "NEW-LOOK JAZZ BEAT NUGGETS 123-102 IN SEASON OPENER", https://www.basketball-reference.com/boxscores/202304080UTA.html, Tom Keegan: Ochai Agbaji, KUs stealth recruit, fits right in, "Thanks to new teammate, KU's Azubuike is getting home cooking: goat meat and fufu", https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Ochai_Agbaji&oldid=1152643882, This page was last edited on 1 May 2023, at 13:22. He can create for others off the bounce. Coach Boost. So maybe Agbaji and his camp are thinking along those same lines. Open Thread: 2023 NBA playoffs round 1 layover. More powerful than shifty or creative with the ball, Agbaji did not put a lot of pressure on the rim off the dribble last season leaning on his pull-up jumper. After covering KU sports for the University Daily Kansan and Rivals.com, Matt joined the World Company (and later Ogden Publications) in 2001 and has held several positions with the paper and KUsports.com in the past 20+ years. 2023 NBA Offseason Financial Previews: Utah Jazz Cavs draft Kansas' Ochai Agbaji No 14: Scouting report and how he fits Ochai Agbaji College Stats | College Basketball at Sports-Reference.com Ochai Agbaji Position: Guard 6-5 , 210lb (196cm, 95kg) Hometown: Kansas City, MO High School: Oak Park HS More player info Consensus AA 2021-22 Big 12 POY 2021-22 All-Big 12 2022 All-Big 12 Tourney Big 12 Tourney MVP 30 SUMMARY Career G 122 PTS 13.5 TRB 4.4 AST 1.6 FG% 44.8 While he still has some room to improve as a ball handler and decision-maker, his growth as a shot-maker and prowess off the ball gives him a clear role at the next level. Hes very coachable. We touched on it above, but Agbaji is a lights out shooter from three and was a nightmare for opposing defenses to try and slow down this past season. I shouldnt be tired while doing this.. Ochai Agbaji attended Oak Park HS in Kansas City, Missouri and Kansas. (37-45, 12th place in NBA Western Conference), More: But thats what were here for. Agbaji, who weighs 215 pounds and has a wingspan of 6'10", can make an immediate difference for any team that selects him. Standing 6-foot-5 and 215 pounds with a 6-10 wingspan, Agbaji was considered the prototype for the kind of NBA wing the Cavs need, especially in terms of his length, athleticism, shooting range and mechanics.
