Ochai Agbaji emerged as one of the best freshmen in the conference in 2018-19, removing his redshirt and almost immediately after recording multiple 20 point games, making him a prospect ever since. As a junior in 2020-21, Agbaji averaged 14 PPG, 3.7 RPG, 2 APG, 1.1 SPG, 0.5 BPG, and 1.4 TOPG on shooting splits of 42/38/69. Below is his full scouting report:
Name: Ochai Agabji
Height/Weight: 6’5 ½ / 214
Wingspan/ standing reach: 6’10/ 8’7 ½
Hand size: 9
Position: Wing
College: Kansas
Tools: Athleticism
Pros:
- Outstanding athlete
- Quick spot up jumper
- Shoots well off screens, both as the ball-handler and off-ball
- Deep range on his jump shot
- Moves well laterally
- Excels in transition
- Adequate vision; knows how to draw defenders away from off-ball teammates
- Strong on closeouts with high recovery ability
- High effort rebounder
- Moves well and often off-ball
- Good cutter
- Good character and is a natural basketball lover
Cons:
- Questionable jump shot on the move
- Needs to get better going left
- Team defense is questionable
- Questionable handle
- Unlikely to self-create much at the next level
- Simple, minimal slasher
Overall:
Ochai Agbaji is an athletic wing with upside as a defender, shooter, and as a slasher. As an improved shooter as a junior, Agbaji took a jump in overall production, recording a career best volume scoring on a career best efficiency. Agbaji’s jump shot is projectable due to his fluid release that has a high starting point; you’ll never see the ball dip below his chest when starting the shot. As a senior, he broke out as a consistent shooter and free throw shooter while being the first option on Kansas. He comes off screens, hits 1 dribble jumpers, and can knock down open spot up attempts with consistency. Beyond his shooting, Agbaji’s biggest swing-skill is his ball-handling. Agbaji showed some flashes of being able to handle the ball, particularly in short ranges and short bursts, but rarely broke his defender down off the dribble to get to his spot. As a wing, the ability to be adequate as a ball-handler is nearly a must if his jump shot is not near or above league average.
Defensively, Agbaji has outstanding recovery ability, allowing him to close-out strong on shooters, and to force slashers into help defense. His team defense is a swing-skill, but if the athleticism can become more polished in skill, his defense could be safely above average. Look for Agbaji to be one of the more exciting young projects in the league for the coming seasons.
NBA Comparison: Gerald Green, Terrence Ross, Desmond Bane, Ben McLemore
Projected draft range: 2nd round
Expected role: 3&D wing that capitalizes on the freedom-of-movement era, while consistently making the right plays on offense.
Unplayable if: Unlikely to become unplayable with shooting ability, but a worst-case scenario lies in him becoming a one-dimensional shooter who is a negative on defense.
Exceeds expectations if: Shooting translates cleanly, ball-handling skill develops, and defense translates to league-average.
Best fits:
- Denver Nuggets
- Atlanta Hawks
- Dallas Mavericks
- Utah Jazz
