Atlanta Hawks: Mock Draft at the Halfway Point of 2018-19 Season
By Chris Guest
#40. Simi Shittu, Vanderbilt (via Hornets)
Though the Vanderbilt Commodores are currently winless in conference play, Simisola Shittu has been performing well without the help of five-star recruit Darius Garland, who will be out the rest of the year with a left meniscus injury.
Shittu is a chiseled, NBA-ready athlete that has shown excellent touch around the rim, as well as the ability to handle the ball in space on the perimeter and use his underrated passing ability to carve up defenses that are concerned about him getting to the rim.
Though his three-point stroke is a work in progress (0 of 11 from downtown this season), Shittu is one of Vanderbilt’s better two-way players and his per 40-minute totals bear this out: 19.9 PPG, 11.0 RPG, 2.9 APG, 1.1 SPG and 1.1 BPG.
According to KenPom, Shittu has the highest usage rate on the team at 26.7 percent and he is responsible for taking over a quarter of Vanderbilt’s shots at 25.4 percent.
Beyond that, at 6-foot-10 and 240 pounds, Shittu is the team’s center and has the bulk and length to be able to provide serviceable rim protection and roll gravity in that role.
On the Hawks, Shittu would likely play a similar role, though in a lesser function due to the presence of John Collins. However, it must be noted that Shittu is one of the few freshmen that are projected by Tankathon to be available in the second round.
If Shittu is available here, the Atlanta Hawks should not hesitate to snap up a 19-year-old prospect early in the second round.