Joel Embiid
College: Kansas
Age: 20 years old
Height: 7’0″
Weight: 250 Lbs
Position: C
NBA Comparison: Hakeem Olajuwon
Joel Embiid burst onto the scene this past season as the starting center for the Kansas Jayhawks. Before injuring his back just before the Big 12 and NCAA tournaments, the Cameroonian freshman was averaging 11.2 points, 8.1 rebounds, and 2.6 blocks per game. Early into the season Embiid began to steal the spotlight from freshman teammate Andrew Wiggins; and with his strong performance on the court, Embiid was initially being pegged as a potential first overall pick in the 2014 draft.
It’s safe to assume that if Embiid was healthy for the NCAA tournament, the Jayhawks likely would have made a trip to the final four; instead of bowing out in the round of 32. As long as Embiid’s health checks out prior to the draft, he will likely end up being a top 3 pick. After watching Embiid this past season, there is a good chance that ten years from now, the Kansas centre may turn out being the best player from the 2014 draft class.
Strengths:
When your 7’0 and have a 7’5” wing span, you’re almost guaranteed to be a lottery pick in the NBA. Joel Embiid is a presence at both ends of the floor and when you throw in the fact that he excels in transition; there is no question why he is in the discussion as the top pick come June.
Embiid makes the most of his opportunities around the rim as he finished 11th in the nation with a .626 FG%. What really stands out is the way he can get up and down the court. If you watch any highlight package featuring the Kansas centre, he runs the floor like a point guard and has the ability to finish above the rim with ease.
The defensive end is likely where he will have an initial impact at the NBA level. Embiid finished his freshman year averaging 2.6 blocks per game, and will likely use his 7’5” wing span to alter plenty of shots next season.
Weaknesses:
Success in college does not always translate to immediate success in the NBA and with Embiid only having played around 3-4 years of high level basketball; his rawness may be exposed next season. Embiid is a slim 250 pounds, which was fine when he battled undersized counterparts in college, but next season he will need to add muscle, size and improve his post game to battle the likes of Hibbert, Howard and Cousins down low. Turnovers also appear too been an issue for the Cameroonian centre; as he averaged 2.4 turnovers per game last season.
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Main Photo by Ed Zurga/Getty Images
