Following a breakout season as a 21 year old, Karlo Matkovic withdrew from the draft, then rescinded his withdrawal to enter the 2022 NBA Draft. On the year with Mega, Matkovic averaged 11.6 PPG, 6.2 RPG, 1 APG, 0.5 SPG, 1.2 BPG, and 1.7 TOPG on shooting splits of 61/0/70. Below is his full scouting report:
Name: Karlo Matkovic
Height/Weight: 6’10/220
Wingspan/ standing reach: N/A
Hand size: N/A
Position: PF/C
Pre-Draft team: Mega
Tools: Athleticism, finishing
Pros:
- Plus athleticism
- Explosive towards the rim as an above the rim finisher
- Excellent P&R roll man
- High release on jump shot
- Good recovery ability defensively because of his athleticism
- Good short roll passer and overall good at finding cutters
- Good shot blocker
- Strong feel for the game
- Good rebounder
Cons:
- Needs to expand his range to 3 point line to best maximize his offense
- Inconsistent shooter right now
- Still raw and needs to fill in holes in his game
- Can bite on fakes too often; needs to be more disciplined
- Can lose balance defensively and be a bit stiff at times on-ball
- Doesn’t create his own shot outside of post-ups
Summary:
Karlo Matkovic is an athletic big with potential to be a dominant off-ball threat as a finisher, through lobs, cuts, and transition offense. While Matkovic is 21 already, and will be for 90% of next season, he is still raw in terms of discipline on defense and overall on-ball defense, as well as a scorer outside of being a play-finisher at the rim.
Matkovic is one of the best big man athletes in the draft, nearly getting his head at the rim on many of his dunks. He uses this athleticism to be a dominant P&R finisher and in transition to throw down monster dunks. He isn’t afraid to finish above the rim in traffic, and is an overall good finisher at the rim as an off-ball player. Finishing lobs, cutting, and being a good roll-man make him a useful and projectable threat offensively. Additionally, as a roll-man he sees the floor well and passes to cutters as the short roller at a high level. On the defensive end, Matkovic has adequate quickness, but still bites on fakes and needs to get more consistent in using his tools. However, he is a good shot blocker, especially as a help defender. He also can recover well on drives he’s been beat on with his length, quickness, and vertical ability to get chasedown blocks. While this is not a reliable tool to become a good defender, it is a saving grace that could keep him in plays at times.
If Matkovic can grow as a shooter and develop a reliable mid range jumper, this will open up his upside as a hyper-efficient 2 point scorer with passing ability. With good shooting touch and projectable free throw form into a jumper long-term, Matkovic’s offensive upside with potential as a defender make him an intriguing pick for a team picking in the late first round or second round.
Similar to: Chris “Birdman” Andersen
Projected draft range: 25-50
Expected role: Athletic rim runner and overall energy big that can use his athleticism on both ends of the floor.
Unplayable if: He doesn’t learn how to use his athletic tools on defense, and his shooting doesn’t develop.
Exceeds expectations if: Jump shot develops, even to mid range, and his defensive discipline improves.
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