With the 2020 NBA Draft coming ever closer, a lot of attention is being paid to former Auburn standout Isaac Okoro. Not only do the scouts like his game, some college basketball analysts are also fond of his ability.
“In the Kentucky game, [Okoro] was the most physically imposing player on the floor,’’ ESPN’s Seth Greenberg said. “He was tough to keep off the glass and out of the lane. His body is NBA-ready.”
In a NY Post article talking about the possibility of the one-and-done joining the New York Knicks, the praise continued.
“This draft [Okoro] gets consideration as high as No. 4,’’ one NBA personnel director told The Post. “He’s got NBA size, is an athlete with toughness and plays D. So he can get on the court fairly quickly. Coaches like that. After the top three, you can make a case for a lot of players.’’
Greenberg even went as far as comparing him to Toronto Raptors star Jaylen Brown.
“He’s a winner,’’ Greenberg told The Post. “He probably could defend 1-to-4 without an issue. He’s physically strong. He’s got a good floor game. You can post him up. He’s got some similarities to Jaylen. Physically strong, really defend and a toughness about him. High energy. Relentless work ethic. The thing I like the most is just his relentlessness.
“Jaylen Brown had the same question coming out of college, too, and he’s a good shooter now.”
Of course, Auburn coach Bruce Pearl knows what Okoro is able to do on the court after coaching him for one season and, after meeting with the Knicks organization, is confident in the team getting the right guy.
“They’ve done their homework on him,” Pearl told The Post recently. “I didn’t get a read on it, but they’ve done their due diligence.”