14. ALEKSEJ POKUSEVSKI / BIG / OLYMPIACOS B
I’ve become quite smitten with Aleksej Pokusevski as a prospect in recent weeks. He’s by no means a low-risk candidate at this spot on my board — and very few give him a lottery-type grade — but Pokusevski’s skill set and athletic profile are of a rare variety. He’s a truly special player.
A true 7-footer, Pokusevki is simultaneously one of the tallest players on the board and one of the best shooters. That is an inherently rare combination. He moves more like a wing than a center, curling around screens, sprinting to open space, and comfortably drilling shots on the move. He’s a thrill to watch, and he can even break down smaller players off the bounce.
For Pokusevski, his frame is the biggest concern. He’s frail to a concerning degree — to a degree where complete unplayability in the NBA is a feasible outcome. It may then seem a bit wild for me to grade him as a top-14 prospect, but his blend of size and skill is simply too appealing. Any team with a strong strength and conditioning program should take the plunge.