NBA Draft 2020: Mock Draft 4.0
Big / USC. Charlotte Hornets. Onyeka Okongwu. 8. player. 170.
The Hornets have a ton of guards, a ton of forwards, and a glaring hole at center. Cody Zeller won’t last forever. Enter Onyeka Okongwu, the best big man on the board (in my humble opinion), and one of the biggest risers in this year’s draft class.
A relative upon coming into the season, Okongwu became one of the most productive centers in college basketball as a freshman. He doesn’t have the broadest repertoire, but he’s an elite rim-runner who scores efficiently inside despite his somewhat slight stature at 6-foot-9. He’s an elite vertical athlete who can convert lobs in exhilarating fashion. He’s fun to watch.
Though a bit undersized for the center position, Okongwu’s athleticism, mobility, and strength should help him survive. He’s listed at 245 pounds, he stays vertical at the rim, and he can comfortably switch on the perimeter — an attribute that continues to increase in importance each season. He’s a big who can survive in the playoffs, and one who can help sure up a wobbly Hornets D.