NBA  Comparison: Chris Boucher

Strengths: Onu is an athletic, stretch-five big man who is a ferocious rim protector. He attained 529 blocks in his four-year career at Shawnee State, which would rank third all-time in NCAA Division 1 history … Incredible length with a 7’8 wingspan while standing at 6’11 … 40% three-point shooter as a senior on 130 attempts … Athletic enough to defend capably on the perimeter and also play elite defense in the post as a formidable shot-blocker … Moves well laterally on both ends of the floor on rim-runs and inside-out defending … Decent ball-handler for his size who can create offense for others as well as find offense moving off of the screens he sets … Has the size, length, and vertical to dominate on the glass … Smooth free-throw stroke and decent percentage of 72% for his career … Looks natural shooting from all over the floor, not just at the free-throw line … Perfect style fit for today’s NBA … Will earn minutes and time to develop simply due to his defensive impact that could make up for offensive struggles that may arise with an uptick in competition … Bulky frame at 221 pounds who will not be pushed around by physical centers at the next level … Onu is not just a physical specimen who blocks shots because of his massive wingspan. Footwork, instincts, and timing are even more important than simply size, and Onu has a firm grasp of these skills already, and he will only get better … Extremely high upside and potential who should fly up draft boards after a 7’8 wingspan measurement and exposure to top scouts at the G-League Elite Camp … Despite being 22 on July 31, he possesses some untapped potential …

Weaknesses: Played in the NAIA, which does not possess the same amount of talent and competition that the NCAA or G-League does … High-risk, high-reward player who dominated weaker competition, but it is yet to be seen if he can compete with high-tier talent …  Raw prospect who hit a major growth spurt at the end of high school … Still needs refining of his skills, particularly technique and footwork, and should need some time to develop … Will turn 22 shortly after the draft, which puts him behind other prospects from a developmental standpoint and gives him less time to prove that taking a chance on him was worthwhile …

Outlook: Onu has for more strengths than weaknesses and is a well-rounded player who could become a star with some fine-tuning and instructive coaching … Has all of the tools to not only fit into today’s NBA, but flourish as a stretch-big who can knock down threes and protect the rim. Has one of the highest ceilings in this year’s class …  The only thing that makes teams skeptical is the lack of true competition in his career, but it is hard to imagine he would not have been an all-conference star in any collegiate conference should he have played in the NCAA

Notes: Measured: 6’9.75″ barefoot, 6’10.75″  in shoes, 231.6 lbs, 9’6″ standing reach, 7’8.5″ wingspan at the G-League Elite camp … Hails from Cleveland, OH …

Derek Bast 7/12/21