The Los Angeles Lakers are on a talent hunt. Months after acquiring Luka Doncic in a shocking trade, the franchise is retooling its squad. The Lakers traded up to the 36th overall pick to select Adou Thiero. Following a disappointing first round exit, the deal has become a relief for the fans. The internet is flooded with Thiero’s highlights as the 21-year-old is full of potential. They also believe that the team may have found a steal, and the rookie might be a solid fit for the team.
The Los Angeles Lakers have agreed in principle to acquire the draft rights to Adou Thiero, the 36th overall pick in the 2025 NBA Draft, in a trade that is expected to be finalized at a later date. pic.twitter.com/2h0YxpwTFL
— Los Angeles Lakers (@Lakers) June 27, 2025
Lakers’ New Rookie is a Beast – Most Athletic Player in Class
Adou Thiero Can Become Impactful For The Lakers
Adou Thiero can bring a lot to the table with his elite athleticism, as he has the potential to guard multiple positions. The former Arkansas Razorbacks player is one of the most athletic players in this year’s draft class. Thiero has an ideal size and length with a 6-foot-8 height and a 7-foot wingspan. His measurements are perfect in the modern league for a forward.
Following his measurements, the player is a beast on the defensive end. Thiero knows how to use his length to defend the shots at the rim. The forward can help JJ Redick‘s side with deflections and steals. Thiero, who also played for the Kentucky Wildcats during his college career, is an aggressive offensive rebounder too. He is capable of providing value with his power and his quickness. His consistency in finishing above the rim can bring a lot of success to the team.
One of the best features about the Quaker Valley High School product is that he is an unselfish teammate. The player has the potential to become a rotation player while he is still developing. He is also expected to bring depth to the wing position for the 17-time NBA champions. Additionally, Thiero has shown improvement through his journey from high school to college and is a quick learner.
Adou Thiero’s Brilliant College Stats
Thiero is coming off a brilliant college career. His impressive stats through a three-year long college career says a lot. The forward played 27 games in the 2024-25 season and started 26 of them. Following his performance, he led the Razorbacks in scoring (15.1 ppg) and rebounding (5.8 rpg). In addition to this, according to his Arkansas player page, he is also the eighth player from the school to register 400+ points, 150+ rebounds, 50+ assists, 40+ steals and 20+ blocks in a season.
Ahead of his only season with Arkansas, Thiero spent the previous two years with John Calipari at Kentucky. As a sophomore, he played in 19 games and averaged 21.4 minutes per game.
Coming out of high school, he was a four-star prospect according to ESPN. Ahead of his incredible college journey, he was a prep star in western Pennsylvania. He recorded more than 1,600 points overall for his high school side. The American player led the Quaker Valley High School to the 2022 Pennsylvania Interscholastic Athletic Association state championship.
Photo credit: © Kirby Lee-Imagn Images
