Jonathan Mogbo brings a unique and intriguing skill set at the forward position, which could make him an interesting pick-up in the draft. The 6’8″ forward possesses impressive playmaking, rebounding, and finishing abilities that make him stand out against forwards at his position.
Jonathan Mogbo 2024 NBA Draft Profile
College Career
Mogbo spent the first two years of his collegiate career at Independence Community College and Northeastern Oklahoma A&M College before transferring to Missouri State. At Missouri State, Mogbo had a productive season before transferring again to San Francisco, where he started every game. As a San Francisco Don, Mogbo averaged 14.2 points, 10.1 rebounds, and 3.6 assists per game. He shot 63.6% from the field, and 69.2% from the foul line while taking and missing two threes this season. Breaking out at San Francisco, Mogbo impressed many with his playmaking and finishing ability. He also displayed his great rebounding skills as well. At San Francisco, Mogbo was selected for the All-WCC first team.
Strengths
As an athlete, Mogbo has a seven-plus foot wingspan that allows him to play bigger than his size would suggest. Additionally, Mogbo is very athletic and has explosive burst, which gives him great vertical pop and speed. Using his athletic gifts, Mogbo possesses excellent scoring ability at the basket and generally is one of the most efficient players in the country. Shooting 71% at the rim, Mogbo can score at the basket in a variety of ways and with great physicality. He is a great lob threat and can operate in the pick-and-roll, or put the ball on the floor and drive to the basket. Also, Mogbo is a good cutter as well.
Speaking of putting the ball on the floor, Mogbo is unique amongst big men in that he has the ability to handle the ball. Using his ball-handling abilities, Mogbo can leverage his strong playmaking to a larger extent. He is able to push the pace in transition or create from the perimeter, where he can make some impressive passes. Furthermore, Mogbo can serve as a facilitator from the post, from which he can hit cutters or open shooters. His playmaking at his size is reminiscent of Trevion Williams, who was part of the 2022 NBA draft cycle.
On defense, Mogbo has good fluidity for his size, which allows him to be switchable as a defender. He also can slide his feet well and has the quickness to close out to the perimeter effectively. In general, Mogbo can react fairly quickly and he knows how to use his athleticism on defense. For instance, he effectively uses his wingspan to ward off shots around the basket. Additionally, Mogbo is a very good rebounder on both sides of the court, with he averaging 3.3 offensive rebounds per game. His rebounding abilities highlight the motor Mogbo plays the game with, which is at a high level.
Weaknesses
The most glaring weakness in Mogbo’s game is the fact that he is a complete non-shooter. He does not have the three-ball in his arsenal nor does he have a mid-range shot. He isn’t a great free-throw shooter either, despite improving his percentage this season. Mogbo will need to add a jumper to his game to reach the next level as a player. At 6’8″, Mogbo may struggle with taller players on defense, especially since he will most likely spend most of his time at center in the NBA. Mogbo can be caught ball-watching at times and be too focused on guarding the ball-handler in pick-and-roll. Additionally, Mogbo is 22 years old, which would make him one of the older prospects in the draft and that raises questions on how much more he can improve.
NBA Comparison
One player who shares similarities to Mogbo’s game is David West. His playmaking and rebounding as an undersized forward bear resemblance to how Mogbo operates as a player. Another player that comes to mind is Montrezl Harrell, who is currently a free agent and last played for Philadelphia. While Mogbo does have his playmaking over Harrell, both are similar in that they are undersized forwards who play with a lot of energy and have impressive finishing abilities.
