2018 NBA Draft: Elie Okobo Scouting Report and Highlights
Elie Okobo, PG, Pau-Orthez
Height: 6'3" | Weight: 180 | DOB: 10/23/97 (20)
Stats (French Pro A): 13.8 PPG, 4.7 APG, 41.8% 3FG
Bio: Okobo played his way into this year’s draft conversation by putting together a solid season in his native France and leading his club in scoring and assists. He has shown signs of increased maturity and has enough talent to offer some upside as a potentially stashable prospect. He has the benefit of already speaking good English, and offers better physical tools than a number of the point guards expected to be available in the middle of the draft.
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Strengths
• Nice size and athletic profile for a lead guard. Has measured with a 6’8” wingspan. Quick and instinctive with the ball in his hands. Can get himself into the paint. Has the potential to become an above-average-shot creator.
• Improving shooter. Lefty who can score off the dribble. Shot 36.5% on all jumpers this season and 81% from the free throw line. Repeatable mechanics.
• Uses his length defensively. Plays the passing lanes. Averaged 1.3 steals per-36 minutes. Overall consistency is improving.
Weaknesses
• Needs development as a playmaker. Has to learn to slow the game down a bit. Will often barrel into the paint without a plan, or rush a shot without setting himself. Has good vision and averaged 6.2 assists, but also 3.7 turnovers per-36.
• Shot selection leaves something to be desired. More of a natural scorer than playmaker and needs to rein himself in at times. Will face a big initial adjustment in the NBA.
• Needs more polish before being able to contribute at the NBA level. Will make mistakes and has to learn from them. Best route may be to keep him overseas for a year or two with a longer leash.
Highlights
Comparison: Cameron Payne
Okobo has the athleticism and scoring chops to become a useful part of a backcourt rotation down the line, but will have to make major strides as a point guard to do it.
The Crossover’s Front Office breaks down Okobo’s strengths, weaknesses, NBA comparison and more in its in-depth scouting report.
