Isaac Okoro Scouting Report 2020
Main Scouting Report
Isaac Okoro was one of the most electric freshmen in college basketball while at Auburn, hitting clutch shot after clutch shot for the Tigers while being one of the best defenders in the country. Okoro is an intriguing NBA prospect because he can be the type of player that makes All-Defensive teams for the entirety of their career in the NBA because of his potential to be a lockdown wing defender.
Okoro is only 19 years old and one of the youngest players in the entirety of the draft, so he will continue to grow tremendously as he works with NBA trainers and other players. He was not great on offense by any means, but made clutch plays and was an elite slasher within Auburn’s fast-paced offense under Bruce Pearl. Okoro’s upside on offense is there, and he can be one of the best two-way players in the NBA.
Strengths
When talking about Isaac Okoro, you have to start with his defense. Okoro has prototypical size for an NBA wing standing at 6’6 and 225 pounds. He is all muscle and can hold his own against players of any size due to his strength. Also, Okoro is very quick laterally, meaning that he can stay with smaller, shitier guards as well. Okoro is the most versatile defensive player in the draft and has the potential to be one of the best defenders in the NBA.
Okoro is also extremely unselfish and always ready to assist his teammates on both ends. He is a strong passer and makes the right cuts when needed on offense, while not trying to do too much on that end. On the defensive end, he is always in the right position on the weak side, ready to assist on drives and still be able to stay on his man as well.
Weaknesses
Okoro is a work in progress, to say the least on the offensive end. While he was a clutch player for Auburn, he was not a consistent threat on offense due to his inability to shoot from deep as well as create for himself. Okoro shot 29% from 3 in his one year at Auburn, well below NBA average, and does not have a fluid jumper that would give signs of encouragement to NBA teams.
Also, Okoro is a non-threat with the ball in his hands because he does not have the handle to beat a defender off the dribble even though he is so fast. Okoro will need lots of development going forward to be a viable offensive option in the NBA.
NBA Player Comparison
I am confident that Okoro will be able to figure it all out eventually and be a starter in the NBA because of his two-way ability. He will develop into more of an offensive player than Andre Roberson did and will be more of a threat on that end. I think the player in the NBA that mirrors Okoro’s game the best is OG Anunoby, the defensive star for the Toronto Raptors. He is a lockdown defender and is not a negative on offense.
Ratings Breakdown
Basketball IQ: 9
Okoro is a smart player that is always in the right spot on both ends.
Leadership: 8
Okoro was a vocal leader as a freshman at Auburn.
Athleticism: 9
Okoro has all the physical tools to be one of the best and most versatile defenders in the NBA.
Upside: 9
Okoro has the potential to be one of the best defenders in the NBA.
Shooting: 4
Okoro was a bad shooter in college and will need to improve his form to become a better shooter.
Passing: 7
Okoro was a solid passer but cannot be a lead playmaker.
Dribbling: 6
Okoro is an average dribbler, but cannot beat defenders off the dribble with ease.
Rebounding: 9
Okoro was an amazing rebounder from the wing position due to his strength and vertical.
Hustle: 8
Okoro is a very hard worker according to his coaches.
Defense: 10
Okoro is the best defender in the draft and has the potential to be one of the best in the NBA due to his athleticism and intelligence.
