Soaring Down South
Fansided

NBA Mock Draft as NCAA Season Suddenly Ends

By Dallin Duffy

ATHENS, GA - FEBRUARY 19: Anthony Edwards #5 of the Georgia Bulldogs gestures to the crowd in the final minutes a of a game against the Auburn Tigers at Stegeman Coliseum on February 19, 2020 in Athens, Georgia. (Photo by Carmen Mandato/Getty Images)
ATHENS, GA - FEBRUARY 19: Anthony Edwards #5 of the Georgia Bulldogs gestures to the crowd in the final minutes a of a game against the Auburn Tigers at Stegeman Coliseum on February 19, 2020 in Athens, Georgia. (Photo by Carmen Mandato/Getty Images) /
facebooktwitterreddit
Prev
9 of 18
Next
NBA Mock Draft
LOS ANGELES, CA – FEBRUARY 27: Onyeka Okongwu #21 of the USC Trojans acknowledges the crowd after defeating the Arizona Wildcats 57-48 at Galen Center on February 27, 2020 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Jayne Kamin-Oncea/Getty Images) /

Onyeka Oknogwu. 8. Charlotte Hornets. player. Scouting Report. Pick Analysis. PF/C, USC. 170

The Hornets get a nice option of two power forwards in Obi Toppin and Onyeka Okongwu, and they side with the younger of the two here.

The 6’9 Okongwu can play the both four and five, and provide elite interior defense. He’s swatted away 2.7 blocks per game as a freshman, adding 8.6 boards.

He’s yet to add a three to his game, but with his paint offense being so efficient, you can’t blame him. Okongwu shot 61 percent from the field on the year which was good for 16.2 points per contest. He’s a talented, athletic rim-runner that throws down lobs in his sleep.

Okongwu will play more like a center in the NBA, and his elite leaping ability should be able to make up for his semi-short stature for that position.

Getting someone who’s already elite at some with the #8 pick is a huge win for any team, and the Hornets will no doubt be happy to add the lockdown defender from USC.