One of the best international big men prospects in the draft, Ismael Kamagate broke out with Paris as a 21 year old. On the year, Kamagate averaged 11.3 PPG, 6.2 RPG, 0.7 APG, 0.7 SPG, 1.6 BPG, and 1.7 TOPG on shooting splits of 64/0/65. Below is his full scouting report:
Name: Ismael Kamagate
Height/Weight: 6’11/220
Wingspan/ standing reach: ~7’2/ N/A
Hand size: N/A
Position: C
Pre-Draft team: Paris Basketball
Tools: Athleticism, P&R finishing
Pros:
- Above the rim finisher with quick release on shots at the rim
- Good defensive recovery ability
- Potential upside as a mid range shooter
- Excellent lob finisher; great in P&R as roll man
- Quick to block shots; hard to shoot near at the rim
- Outstanding size with good length
- Sees the perimeter well in the paint
- Great frame + athleticism combo
Cons:
- Still raw and needs to polish skillset
- Can be a bit inconsistent defensively
- Awkward sweeping hook shot
- Goes for home run plays too often on both ends
- Needs to get better in defending P&R actions
- Not much of a playmaker beyond delayed sets
Summary:
Ismael Kamagate is a raw big man with upside to be versatile on both ends of the floor.
Offensively, Kamagate right now serves as a play-finisher, likely in the dunker spot in the NBA. Being long and athletic enough to dive at the rim with defenses being out of position and unable to cover against his NBA ready body, Kamagate should see easy opportunities at the rim with a high-level playmaker. His ability to roll as such a high-level athlete can create vertical gravity in pick & rolls, which will likely be how he scores many of his points. The hope with Kamagate’s shooting development is that the mid range jump shot flashes he has shown with Paris translate up to the NBA. Even if he takes the same mid range shots and doesn’t touch the 3 ball (a la Deandre Ayton), he still poses enough of a threat with a light floor-stretching ability combined with dominant finishing ability.
If Kamagate can grow as a passer, even simply out of double teams, he will also see significant offensive development. Kamagate was inconsistent at times in doing so, but he can pass out of rebounds to the perimeter, which should be easy assists in the NBA. As he reduces going up against double teams at the rim, and deferring to the open teammate, Kamagate’s assists should amount to a low volume, but over one assist per game number.
Defensively, Kamagate can defend in space with his long arms and plus mobility for his size. While he can be a bit inconsistent and slow to react at times, he has the physical tools to switch onto guards and wings and hold his own against drives. He will need to become more disciplined in biting on perimeter fakes in order to effectively defend the perimeter on switches. As he brushes up his pick & roll knowledge in the NBA, and overall defensive decision making (since at times he looked lost on plays), he should become a serviceable NBA defender rather quickly.
As a rim protector, Kamagate’s length, recovery ability, and overall athleticism allow him to block shots most players cannot reach. He has long strides with good speed, which also help him cover ground more quickly than most big men. If he can be disciplined enough at the rim to use his elite tools to his favor, he will become a positive defender.
Kamagate is a project worth investing in, but will need the right team. As teams turn the 21 year old big man from a raw project full of tools and upside into a useful player, there will be growing pains, but he could become one of the more unique and valuable big men if he hits. Being able to shoot 15 footers consistently while defending multiple positions and hot zones on the floor is a realistic upside for Kamagate.
Best Fits:
- Denver Nuggets (21)
- San Antonio Spurs (25)
- Dallas Mavericks (26)
- Orlando Magic (32/35)
- Oklahoma City Thunder (30/34)
- Toronto Raptors (33)
Similar to: Deandre Ayton, Onyeka Okongwu, Chimezie Metu
Projected draft range: 18-37
Expected role: Versatile big man defensively with P&R roll man prowess offensively.
Unplayable if: Tools don’t translate into success on either end, becoming a bad-habit defender with minimal offensive value.
Exceeds expectations if: Jump shooting develops, and he learns how to use his physical tools on the defensive end effectively and consistently.
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