2019 NBA Draft: Full Mock Draft 2.0 – Pelicans take Zion; who goes next?

#18. Indiana Pacers: Kezie Okpala, F

School: Stanford | Class: Sophomore | Height: 6’10″ | Weight: 210 | Age: 20

Kezie Okpala will have the privilege this coming NBA season of being one of only five players in the league from Stanford. It’s uncommon for NBA products to stem from this alma mater. This all just goes to show that Okpala is a special talent.

For the 2018/19 season, Okpala averaged 16.8 points, 5.7 rebounds, and 2.0 assists on 46 percent from the field and 37 percent from three. He’s a freak athlete, possessing an impressive vertical and wingspan to compliment his 6’10,” 215-pound frame. However, even with his physical attributes, he is not a force on the defensive end. Okpala averaged 1.0 steal and 0.5 blocks per game this season.

Where his upside lies is in his offensive dynamic. He can score in a variety of ways. With the ability to ball handle at a high level given his size, he can create for others as well as score from nearly everywhere on the court. He’s a force out in transition, has improved in his perimeter shooting (shot 23 percent as a freshman), and can finish at the rim.

His defense needs work as we mentioned, but Okpala has the potential to be a late-round draft steal. With Bogdanovic’s contract expiring, and with him being at the age of 30, Okpala could help fill the void if he departs this summer.

– Nolan Jensen (@NolanJensen_)