On the largest stage, Ochai Agbaji did it higher than anyone in his draft class.
And in about one week, he’ll learn the way a lot inventory NBA groups place on the NCAA match.
“I think it adds a lot of value. People don’t notice how hard it is to get to that spot in general,” mentioned Agbaji, who gained the nationwide title with Kansas and was named the match’s Most Outstanding Player. “To win that make that many games. And to also play those games with the utmost pressure. Just being on the stage of the Final Four is the most pressure in basketball itself. But being in front of those people and in that atmosphere is unlike any other. But I think it’s harder than people see.”
Agbaji completed his predraft exercises with a cease Thursday on the Knicks coaching facility, the place he was the highest prospect in a bunch of six. He’s projected as a decide within the 10-to-20 vary, a standing strengthened by the groups he visited earlier than New York – Washington (tenth decide), Chicago (18th), OKC (twelfth) and Cleveland (14th).
The Knicks personal the eleventh decide and, in the event that they don’t commerce up, will miss prime goal Jaden Ivey of Purdue, who’s destined for the top-5.
Agbaji is a thin wing shooter who, at 22 and a senior final season with the Jayhawks, is among the many older prospects. That’s sometimes a detriment to a gamers’ perceived ceiling, however Agbaji mentioned he feels extra NBA prepared.
“The level I’ve been competing at and the level I’ve been going against the last four years helps prepare me for the league better than others,” he mentioned.
Agbaji “was on the fence” about declaring for the NBA draft final yr when he was a second rounder. But he returned to Kansas and the gamble to return paid off.
Agbaji improved in all classes as a senior, most impressively with a 3-point shot that he nailed at a 41% clip final season. It stays his growth focus.
“I do believe that I’m one of the better shooters,” he mentioned. “But obviously feel like I can’t shoot the ball well enough. So just transitioning to the next level as far getting my shot off, getting my shot off quicker and still being consistent in that is something I’ve been working on.”
Interestingly, the Knicks had 5 of the earlier 18 NCAA Tournament Most Outstanding Players on their roster (Carmelo Anthony, Joakim Noah, Wayne Ellington, Kemba Walker and Ryan Arciadiacono). Agbaji has already performed twice at MSG, together with a spectacular 29-point efficiency in a victory over Michigan State.
He’s hoping to make such MSG highlights a commonplace.
“That would be amazing (to be drafted by the Knicks),” mentioned Agbaji, who dined with the crew’s entrance workplace on Wednesday evening. “Being in the city, being in Madison Square, playing under Coach Thibodeau, it would be a dream come true.”
SMITH-SONIAN
Jabari Smith might be the No. 1 decide and he’s undoubtedly not slipping previous No. 2.
The Auburn stretch energy ahead mentioned he solely labored out for the groups selecting first and second – Orlando and Oklahoma City, respectively – and plans to maintain it that approach till draft evening.
Gonzaga’s Chet Holmgren and Duke’s Paolo Banchero are additionally projected as top-3 picks, however Smith has topped himself the jewel.
“I think I’m perfect because of my ability to affect both sides of the ball and my ability to knock down shots and affect winning at such an early age,” Smith mentioned. “I feel like that’s why I’m the No. 1 pick.”
Smith, who averaged 17.1 factors as a freshman final season, was impressed by OKC government Sam Presti throughout his go to.
“Just his vision to getting back to where he was with that (Kevin Durant) and (Russell Westbrook) team,” Smith mentioned. “He sees it going in the right direction and that was real promising for me.”
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Source: www.bostonherald.com