NBA Draft 2020: Big Board 4.0

9. Onyeka Okongwu, big, USC

While comparisons to Bam Adebayo are mostly unfair — that’s a lot of pressure for any rookie — the through lines between Adebayo and USC freshman Onyeka Okongwu do deserve exploration. While Okongwu is not nearly as skilled or versatile offensively, he does occupy a similar athletic build. That alone could mean success in the NBA.

At 6-foot-9, Okongwu is undersized for the center position. Like Adebayo, however, he is also mobile and strong-bodied. He can stonewall bigger centers at the rim, or switch effortlessly to the perimeter to contain a ball-handler. His defensive I.Q., combined with his unique athletic gifts, make Okongwu one of the two or three most impressive defenders in this class.

Offensively, Okongwu is a superbly efficient rim-runner and lob threat. He doesn’t do much otherwise — there’s no jumper to speak of, at least not yet — but he’s efficient in his role, and does enough on both ends to project as arguably the surest frontcourt bet in this draft.