Charles Bassey is a finishing & rim protecting big man with jump shooting potential from Western Kentucky. As a Junior in 2020-21, Bassey was the Conference USA Player of the Year and averaged 17.6 PPG, 11.6 RPG, 0.7 APG, 0.4 SPG, 3.1 BPG, and 2.2 TOPG on shooting splits of 59/30.5/76. Below is his full scouting report:
Name: Charles Bassey
Height/Weight: 6’10/230
Wingspan/ standing reach: 7’3 / 8’11.5
Hand size: 9.5
Position: C
College/ country: Western Kentucky / Nigeria
Tools: Rebounding, frame, rim protection
Pros:
- Good rebounder
- Quick leaper- good athlete; runs the floor well
- Strong upper body frame + long arms
- Best in P&R
- Good finisher at the rim/ low post touch
Cons:
- Needs to refine shooting mechanics to be smoother
- Needs to add lower body strength
- Must become more disciplined- bites on everything
- Offensive game is too low post focused
- Defends with his hands often
- Sometimes hesitates to play help defense on drives
- P&R defense is iffy
- Mild vision at best
- Must get in better shape/ improve conditioning; injury history
Overall:
Charles Bassey is a post-minded big man with potential as a rim protector and some ability to guard the perimeter. Bassey has an NBA ready body, despite needing to continue getting stronger at the base, which helps him at the rim on both ends. Bassey possesses several swing skills, including pick & roll defense, jump shooting, and playing a different role than he has for 3 years in college. Defense, as a whole, is a 50/50 area for Bassey, as he defends with his hands too often, gets in foul trouble, and gambles a lot for blocks. However, he has adequate footspeed and recovery ability, and potential to switch onto the perimeter. He also has an iffy jump shot, that with NBA coaching, may be able to be a reliable threat out to the 3 point line. Bassey has some hit-or-miss upside, making him an overall intriguing prospect.
You can also read my Conference USA Tournament video recap here for more information on Bassey.
Games seen: Conference USA Tournament 2021,, Charlotte 1/1, Rhode Island, Conference USA Tournament 2019, @ UNT 2019, Rice 2/13, Old Dominion 3/6
Similar to: Cristiano Felicio, Nene, Derrick Favors, Salah Mejri, Hassan Whiteside
Projected draft range: 35-60
Projected NBA role: Rim runner with quick post offense
Unplayable if:
Defense isn’t performing, whether it be his tendency of hunting blocks or often being in foul trouble. Bassey will be a defense-first player, rim runner second.
Meets expectations if:
Bassey runs the floor and adequately protects the rim, is efficient for ~15-20 minutes per game, and doesn’t find himself in foul trouble.
Exceeds expectations if:
Jump shooting and post moves translate. He’s currently projected as a finisher off of others’ creations (P&R, dump-offs, putbacks)
