Jordan Nwora returned to school for his junior season following what he felt was a disappointing draft process due to an injury. He had hoped for a first round promise to stay in the draft, but as far as the public knows, he was not given one. Nwora had one of the best seasons of any upperclassmen prospect in this draft, averaging 18 PPG, 7.7 RPG, 1.3 APG, 0.7 SPG, 0.3 BPG, and 2.1 TOPG on shooting splits of 44/40/81. Below is his full scouting report:
Name: Jordan Nwora
Height/Weight: 6’7 ½ 220
Wingspan/ standing reach: 6’10 ½ / 8’7
Hand size: 9 ¼
Position: Wing
College: Louisville
Tools: Shooting, length
Pros:
- Has NBA range on 3 point shot
- Quick release on jumper
- High motor
- Good rebounder
- Intelligent player with high understanding of the game
- Quality frame
Cons:
- Low release point on jump shot/ funky shot
- Only an average athlete
- Needs to improve shooting off the dribble; made strides as a junior
- Lacks an explosive first step
- Inconsistent defender
- Limited creator; needs to improve ball security
Overall: Jordan Nwora profiles as a high level 3 point shooter in the NBA. Nwora has extended range with ease on spot ups all the way out to the college logo. His quick footwork combined with effortless range make him one of the draft’s best shooters. Despite needing to improve his shooting off the dribble, Nwora likely won’t have many pull-up jump shot attempts early in his career, assuming he goes to a team that maximizes his role.
Nwora is likely limited to being a shooter due to his struggles as a shot creator and as a slasher in creating space against tight defense. Combined with his mediocre athleticism, Nwora struggles to consistently create and convert easy looks at the basket, where he shot 60% as a junior.
Defensively, Nwora is a mixed bag. When engaged, he can make the right decisions and accurately predict the ball handler’s next move, which helps him compensate for his limited athleticism. For example: https://streamable.com/jowh82
However, he needs to improve consistency on defense in order to stick around in more than a limited role in the NBA. He already is lacking top-end athleticism and a high-level recovery ability, so he must be better about ball watching and not gambling for as many steals.
Nwora’s defense and any creation come as a bonus in the NBA. His largest contributions will come from his shooting and being limited in making mistakes offensively.
NBA Comparison: Floor: Keith Bogans; Ceiling: Kentavious Caldwell-Pope
Projected draft range: 22-50
Fit with Mavs/best fit:
As the Mavs search for more shooters to surround Doncic and Porzingis, Nwora fits the bill as a fit with the 31st pick. Nwora’s shooting was one of the most impressive of any draft prospect this season. In his junior season, which he came back for after not getting a first round promise in 2019, he faced an uphill battle for his shot with an extended three point line. This year, on the same shot attempts per game from deeper distance, Nwora improved his 3P% by 3% and had 9 games with 4 or more three point makes, with only 3 games making no threes. Compare that to his sophomore year when he had 8 games of 4 or more 3 point makes and 6 games with 0 3 point makes. Furthermore, he increased his FT% by 5% on 8 less total attempts as a junior.
In a motion offense like the Mavericks’, Nwora would be maximized in a role similar to Justin Jackson’s role this season. Nwora’s best shooting games came when he moved well off-ball and feasted on off-ball screens to be able to use his quick release to take advantage of the mismatches created. Conversely, his worst games came when he was stagnant off-ball, which has historically been an easy way to lose minutes under Rick Carlisle.
As a coach’s son with a high IQ, Nwora should have a quick learning curve in the NBA. If Nwora were to make the Mavs, he would likely be in the 8-12th man in the rotation given the current roster. In a league where teams can never have enough shooting, Nwora checks the boxes for the Mavs’ wing depth needs.
