NBA Draft: Five hidden gems in this year’s draft

NBA draft hidden gem No. 5: Udoka Azubuike

Projected: Mid – Late Second Round

Udoka Azubuike isn’t the most well-rounded player in this year’s draft, but he can take complete advantage of his skillset as an athletic post-scoring rebounder.

A 7’0″ center out of Kansas, Azubuike is one-sided and has a very simple playstyle that would’ve landed him a lottery pick in the 1990s. Azubuike is classified as a ‘paint beast’, with impressive rebounding and interior ability on both ends. Azubuike is an impressive defender, with great rebounding and shot-blocking that has landed him as an NCAA mainstay. Offensively, he has a simple style of play, as a hulking post scorer who can bruise in the paint. He’s a patient player who knows his role as an effective defending big.

Azubuike’s main problem is how much his playstyle doesn’t necessarily fit the modern landscape of the NBA, since he can’t stretch the floor or maintain himself as a playmaker. Azubuike can best be compared to Clint Capela, as a starting center who can provide the essentials at the five spot. In terms of readiness, Azubuike can supplant himself as an off-the-bench threat, with starting potential in the future. His weaknesses may be a problem, but in terms of a pure center, Azubuike is superb on both ends.

As mentioned earlier, if this was the 1990s, Azubuike would be an effective producer. Consider him to be playing in the wrong era, but that doesn’t take away from his NBA potential as a hidden gem.