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NBA Draft: Buddy Hield, Brice Johnson And The Most Improved

By Maxwell Ogden

Jan 2, 2016; Norman, OK, USA; Oklahoma Sooners guard Buddy Hield (24) reacts after a play against the Iowa State Cyclones during the second half at Lloyd Noble Center. Mandatory Credit: Mark D. Smith-USA TODAY Sports
Jan 2, 2016; Norman, OK, USA; Oklahoma Sooners guard Buddy Hield (24) reacts after a play against the Iowa State Cyclones during the second half at Lloyd Noble Center. Mandatory Credit: Mark D. Smith-USA TODAY Sports /
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Dec 2, 2015; East Lansing, MI, USA; Louisville Cardinals center Chinanu Onuaku (32) fights for position against Michigan State Spartans forward Matt Costello (10) during the second half of a game at Jack Breslin Student Events Center. MSU won 71-67. Mandatory Credit: Mike Carter-USA TODAY Sports
Dec 2, 2015; East Lansing, MI, USA; Louisville Cardinals center Chinanu Onuaku (32) fights for position against Michigan State Spartans forward Matt Costello (10) during the second half of a game at Jack Breslin Student Events Center. MSU won 71-67. Mandatory Credit: Mike Carter-USA TODAY Sports /

Chinanu Onuaku, Louisville Cardinals

Position: Center
Age: 19
Height, Weight, Wingspan: 6’10”, 246 pounds, 7’2.5″
Slash Line: .629/.000/.520
Season Averages: 21.9 MPG, 9.6 PPG, 8.2 RPG,  3.2 ORPG, 1.1 APG, 2.0 BPG, 0.8 SP
Key Improvement: Per 40 Statistics

Statistically, no player has improved as dramatically as Chinanu Onuaku. The Louisville Cardinals big man is improving fundamentally, and Rick Pitino is rewarding him with opportunities.

It’s important not to harp on college statistics, but it’s impossible to ignore Onuaku’s improvement.

In 2014-15, Onuaku posted averages of 6.7 points, 10.3 rebounds, 4.4 offensive boards, and 2.7 blocks per 40 minutes. A season later, the 19-year-old is averaging 17.6 points, 15.0 rebounds, 5.9 offensive boards, and 3.7 blocks per 40 minutes.

Statistically, it doesn’t make sense how much Onuaku has improved.

Onuaku is still raw offensively, but he’s an athletic 6’10” with a great work ethic. He’s a threat in the pick and roll, an improved free throw shooter, and defensively, is a dominant shot-blocker.

If his underhanded free throws should tell you anything, it’s that he’s willing to do whatever it takes to be successful—even if that means facing unfounded heckling.

Next: Most Improved Player