NBA Comparison: Solomon Alabi

Strengths: Wiry 6’10 center who advanced his game immensely after receiving feedback from NBA scouts and executives after his freshman season. Some of his developments included free-throw shooting (49% to 67% on double the attempts), court vision and passing execution (0.5 AST to 1.9 AST) and confident scoring (7.4 to 14.3 points per game) … Clearly very coachable player … Not just willing to shoot from beyond the arc, but also looks comfortable in his shooting stroke but below average efficiency (27% 3-PT) … Extremely mobile big man who can pop out of screens and slip to the basket quickly … Comfortable putting the ball on the deck and getting to the basket if the lane is there. Won’t force it if it’s not there … Can score in face ups as well as post ups. Has a decent mid-range jumper in that role … Energetic rebounder, on both ends, who thrives especially on the offensive glass with 3.4 per game as a sophomore … High upside big who can eventually spread the floor and be a fierce rim protector as he develops … Has the frame and athletic traits to be a long-term starter if he receives the right coaching and continues to build on the growth he’s made … Looks extremely polished considering he never played a game of organized basketball until he moved to the United States at age 16 … Could eventually be a solid draft pick, but will require patience … Despite having low efficiency shooting numbers, his form actually shows promise …

Weaknesses: Still an extremely raw prospect who likely won’t be able to see the floor in big minutes … Good mobility, but  lacking in fluidity … Doesn’t have the strength to hang with the physical centers in the NBA … Likely to struggle to add strength with his body type … Never showed a ton of production as a shot-blocker, although he plays with the leaping ability to change that as he learns the timing and positioning he needs … Can be lackadaisical in offensive sets that require him to initiate at the top of the key … Looks to be a fast learner, but when sets don’t go according to plan, he looks lost and often turns the ball over … Still not a totally reliable shooter from the perimeter … Needs to be a much more productive defender as an NBA center. Block rate will only go down as he is forced to roam outside the paint … Jarringly inefficient for a big man with a sub-50% field goal percentage in each of his two seasons in college … Struggles to score over lengthier centers. Doesn’t boast a wide array of post moves and doesn’t use his body well enough to create the space he needs to score over either shoulder … Not NBA ready … Probably benefited from a weak class of centers …

Notes: Measured: 6’10.5” barefoot, 6’11.75” in shoes, 9’2.5” standing reach, 202.8 lbs, 7’3.75” wingspan at the 2022 NBA G-League Elite Camp … Measured 6′ 10.25” barefoot, 9′ 2.50” standing reach, 212.6 lbs and a 7′ 3.25” wingspan at the 2023 NBA Draft Combine …Two-year starter at Washington State … 2022 Pac-12 All-Freshman Team … 2023 All-Pac-12 First Team … Led Prolific Prep to GEICO Nationals, becoming the first CA school to play in the event … Born in Dakar, Senegal … Moved to the United States as a 16-year-old … Drafted 39th overall in the 2023 NBA Draft by the Charlotte Hornets, acquired by Atlanta Hawks …

Derek Bast 6/22/23