Philadelphia 76ers: 5 prospects to watch in 2019 NCAA Tournament
Chuma Okeke, PF, Auburn
Chuma Okeke, the 6-foot-8 forward form Auburn is a player whose skillset translates very well on to an NBA floor. He is long, athletic, and is more than capable of shooting the long ball.
Averaging 11.6 points and 6.6 rebounds this season to go along with 1.2 blocks, Okeke has the potential to slide in to the end of the first round in this year’s draft.
Coming off a 22-point performance in the SEC Championship game against Tennessee, Okeke looks to ride his momentum into this week’s first round and beyond. As a team that is willing to shoot the three as much as any other team in the nation, Auburn must look to crash the boards in order to make a run.
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A playmaker for the Tigers, Okeke is second in the SEC this season in offensive rebounding, and fourth in steals. Although he may not be the Tigers first look on offense, if Chuma Okeke is able to get hot, it is extremely difficult to beat the Tigers who have a plethora of outside shooters to choose from this season.
Okeke, similarly to Matisse Thybulle, would give the 76ers added depth at the forward position with free agency looming this summer. If he were to slip into the second round, he would be a fantastic pickup for the 76ers.
As a 5-seed, Auburn must deal with the dreaded 5/12 matchup in the first round against New Mexico State. As a team that likes to spread the floor, Okeke will be essential in adding to Auburn’s high-powered offense this time around in the tournament.