NBA Draft 2020: Mock Draft 1.0
17. player. 18. . BIG / USC. Boston Celtics. Onyeka Okongwu
One of the biggest surprises this season, Onyeka Okongwu has developed into a massive stud for a tournament-trending USC squad. At 6-foot-9, he’s not the tallest, but his mobility, bounce, and hustle is enough. The Celtics, of course, need a center.
Boston has put together a genuine contender in the East, but the absence of a reliable interior threat has been a sore spot all season. Enes Kanter can’t defend, Robert Williams needs time, and Daniel Theis is matchup-dependent. Okongwu would have a chance to play real minutes on a competitive team.
Okongwu is a competitor, and he takes his defensive success personally. He will attack the glass, hunt blocks, and lock in on the perimeter. He can aptly defend in space, and his rim protection skills are evident. Undersized centers can have problems in the NBA, but Okongwu checks a lot of boxes.