After being considered a quality sleeper prospect in 2020, Ayo Dosunmu returned to school as the top rising junior for the 2021 season. He lived up to the hype, and for the year he averaged: 20 PPG, 5.3 APG, 6.3 RPG, 1.1 SPG, 0.2 BPG, and 3.3 TOPG on shooting splits of 49/39/78. Below is his full scouting report:
Name: Ayo Dosunmu
Height/Weight: 6’5/ 200
Wingspan/ standing reach: N/A
Hand size: N/A
Position: PG
College: Illinois
Tools: Slashing, defense, transition
Pros:
- Excellent in transition
- Nifty slasher
- Solid in the P&R
- Very quick first step
- Relentless finisher at the rim
- Active hands on defense
- Great vision on the drive
- Good defensive IQ- reads plays before they happen, especially in zone defense
Cons:
- Needs to improve jump shot- wonky base
- Struggles to hit jumpers on the move due to awkward footwork
- Struggles against traps; must tighten handle
- Struggles to shoot over tight closeouts
- Needs to be in stance defensively more often
Overall:
Ayo Dosunmu is a two-way slashing guard with upside as a shooter. Dosunmu has outstanding top-end speed, change of direction, and deceleration, which make him a threat in transition or in the half-court when he gets a head of steam towards the basket. The biggest improvement Ayo can make to hit his absolute upside is in his pull-up shooting. Dosunmu’s base, particularly off the dribble, is not steady and his feet float without being square to the basket. Shooting could be Dosunmu’s fatal flaw, but there can also be optimism surrounding his shot improving due to his successful shooting percentages in college.
As a ball-handler and playmaker, Dosunmu thrives at passing on the move and creating well for both others and himself. He needs to better adjust to double teams and tightening his handle against traps and said double teams, which could help flip his turnovers to assists. I expect his slashing and defense to translate cleanly to the NBA, and if he can improve on either of his shooting or playmaking weaknesses, he will have a steady role in the NBA.
Similar to: Kris Dunn, Elfrid Payton
Projected draft range: 25-45
Games seen: Ohio, Duke, Missouri, Purdue 1/2, Penn State 1/19, Wisconsin 2/6 Drexel, Loyala Chicago; 2019-20: The Citadel, Minnesota, Ohio State
Ideal role: Backup guard to provide defense, slashing, and some playmaking in a multi-guard lineup with a strong P&R big man
Unplayable if: Teams force him to shoot moving 3s (similar to Loyola Chicago game) and take away driving lanes
Best fits:
- Atlanta Hawks
- San Antonio Spurs
- Toronto Raptors
