Click here to find all of our 2010 NBA Draft prospect breakdowns.
Stats: 13.9 ppg, 9.8 rpg (3.6 off.), 3.7 bpg, 2.7 apg, 49% FG
Size:
- Listed: 6'10", 240 lb, 23 yrs old
- Combine: 6'9 3/4" (in shoes), 237 lb, 7'4 1/2" (wingspan)
About Him: Ekpe Udoh clearly took advantage of the year he had off after transferring from Michigan to Baylor. An afterthought for the Wolverines, Udoh developed into a lottery pick with an excellent junior season in Waco.
Udoh is one of the better shotblockers in the class, which is saying something considering how heavy the 2010 lottery is going to be with big men. He isn't all that tall (just under 6'10") and he's not freakishly long (his standing reach is just 8'10 1/2") or athletic, but he has fantastic timing. He's a good one-on-one defender in the post, showing good fundamentals and footwork, forcing a lot of tough shots. He stays on his feet, not biting on pump fakes, and also showed the ability to come from the weak side and block a shot. Baylor played zone, so its difficult to determine how well he can defend a four on the perimeter (given his size, he can spot minutes at center, but he is more suited to the four) or the pick-and-roll, but given his tools, there is not reason he can't develop into at least a capable defender.
Udoh is also a very good rebounder, especially on the offensive end. He's one of those guys that has a nose, showing great instincts on the glass; he can shed a box out, he has a knack for finding the open area around the rim, he can read where the ball is going to come off if its a miss. On the defensive end, he's an above average rebounder, but after playing zone during college he will probably have to develop his ability to box out.
At the very least, Udoh should be able to latch on with a team strictly as a rebounder and a defender. But what makes Udoh so intriguing is his ability on the offensive end. In the low post, he has a solid repertoire of moves. He can go either direction to score, and has shown a good looking jump hook with both hands. He seems to almost be a natural with his back to the basket, as he also has a variety of counter moves down low. He has a knack for knowing how to get his shot off inside.
Udoh's biggest problem in the paint is that he is not a Dwight Howard-esque athlete. He does have a vertical of almost 34", but he isn't a quick leaper and doesn't get as high off of his second jump. Combine that with some of the critiques that have said Udoh is not as strong as NBA front office types would like -- something that has also affected his rebounding and ability to defend in the post -- and you see why Udoh was not a great finisher at this level.
Udoh also has a face up game. He's more than capable as a jump shooter, with range out to 19-20 feet. He can shoot off the dribble, off of a catch, or after squaring up his man. He's also shown the ability to put the ball on the floor and make a play. In terms of explosiveness and quickness, he's only an average athlete. But he is one of the most fluid and coordinated big men in this draft.
One area Udoh has really improved is as a passer. He averaged 2.7 apg this season. Udoh has the vision and the unselfishness to find the open man in either the low post or high post.
Comparison:
- Best Case Scenario: The two I've seen the most are Chris Bosh and Andrei Kirilenko. The Bosh comparison might be a little bit optomistic, but I like think that Udoh could be similar to Kirilenko -- a long, lanky power forward that will defend and hit the glass. I think he has more of an upside offensively, however.
- Worst Case Scenario: A poor man's Emeka Okafor, a serviceable big that can get some boards and defend the post.
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