Hoops Habit
Fansided

NBA Mock Draft 2016: Impact of the NCAA Tournament

By Maxwell Ogden

Apr 1, 2016; Houston , TX, USA; Oklahoma Sooners guard Buddy Hield (24) during practice day prior to the 2016 NCAA Men
Apr 1, 2016; Houston , TX, USA; Oklahoma Sooners guard Buddy Hield (24) during practice day prior to the 2016 NCAA Men /
facebooktwitterreddit
Prev
10 of 32
Next
Mar 5, 2016; Salt Lake City, UT, USA; Colorado Buffaloes forward Josh Scott (40) defends against Utah Utes forward Jakob Poeltl (42) during the second half at Jon M. Huntsman Center. Utah won 57-55. Mandatory Credit: Russ Isabella-USA TODAY Sports
Mar 5, 2016; Salt Lake City, UT, USA; Colorado Buffaloes forward Josh Scott (40) defends against Utah Utes forward Jakob Poeltl (42) during the second half at Jon M. Huntsman Center. Utah won 57-55. Mandatory Credit: Russ Isabella-USA TODAY Sports /

9. Jakob Poeltl, Utah Utes

Position: Center

Age: 20 (10/15/1995)

Height, Weight, Wingspan: 7’1″, 242 pounds, 7’1″

Slash Line: .646/.000/.689

Season Averages: 30.4 MPG, 17.2 PPG, 9.1 RPG, 2.8 ORPG, 1.9 APG, 1.6 BPG

Key Strengths

  • Rapid development.
  • Rim protection.
  • Offensive rebounding.
  • Touch around the basket.
  • Improved post play.
  • Expanding midrange game.

Key Weaknesses

  • Lacks elite athleticism.
  • Limited upside?
  • Shies away from contact. Must embrace it to reach full potential.
  • Increased percentages, but weak at the free throw line.

Analysis

Many are concerned about Jakob Poeltl’s NBA future after Domantas Sabonis so thoroughly dominated him during the NCAA Tournament. Poeltl has quite the track record, however, and that should not be overlooked during the NBA Draft process.

Poeltl has elite potential on the defensive end, and he’s becoming quite the player offensively.

Poeltl is an excellent shot-blocker and rebounder, has great touch around the basket, and is developing a respectable mid-range game. He isn’t the most explosive athlete, but he’s mobile and capable of making plays in transition.

Poeltl has some concern after the way he and Utah went out, but there shouldn’t be any question that he deserves to be a lottery pick.

Next: Bosh Potential

Home/NBA Draft