The Philadelphia 76ers Got a Steal in Timothe Luwawu

Jun 23, 2016; New York, NY, USA; Timothe Luwawu-Cabarrot is interviewed after being selected as the number twenty-four overall pick to the Philadelphia 76ers in the first round of the 2016 NBA Draft at Barclays Center. Mandatory Credit: Brad Penner-USA TODAY Sports
Jun 23, 2016; New York, NY, USA; Timothe Luwawu-Cabarrot is interviewed after being selected as the number twenty-four overall pick to the Philadelphia 76ers in the first round of the 2016 NBA Draft at Barclays Center. Mandatory Credit: Brad Penner-USA TODAY Sports
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Jun 23, 2016; New York, NY, USA; Timothe Luwawu-Cabarrot walks off the stage after being selected as the number twenty-four overall pick to the Philadelphia 76ers in the first round of the 2016 NBA Draft at Barclays Center. Mandatory Credit: Jerry Lai-USA TODAY Sports
Mandatory Credit: Jerry Lai-USA TODAY Sports

Athleticism

The first thing that jumps out at you when you watch Luwawu play in his athleticism. He’s extremely explosive off of the wing, with an excellent first step in comparison to the vast majority of swingmen in the draft and an incredibly bouncy nature in his game. Luwawu can get to the rim and finish with ease, often in exhilarating fashion, and it aids him in excelling in a plethora of ways.

As a skilled ball handler, especially in transition, Luwawu has the ability to find driving lanes off the dribble and cut to the basket with notable speed. He’s tough to stay in front of from a defensive standpoint, and is often able to overpower his opposition athletically. While that will clearly not occur to the same extent against NBA competition, his fluidity en route to the basket and powerful finishing ability are extremely promising tools to build off of at the next level. Not only is his fun to watch, but he’s effective in the process of creating highlights.

Luwawu’s athleticism also aids on the defensive side of the ball, as he’s able to chase down blocks on occasion and make places in open court that in turn open up opportunities for teammates. He is certainly raw and a bit unpolished in several aspects of his game, but his ability to get around the floor and put himself in position to make plays is something that Sixers fan should be excited for as he begins working with an NBA-level training staff.

Next: Defense