If you are having difficulty accessing any content on this website, please visit our Accessibility page. While he still has some room to improve as a ball handler and decision-maker, his growth as a shot-maker and prowess off the ball gives him a clear role at the next level. Peyton Tyler Watson (born September 11, 2002) is an American professional basketball player for the Denver Nuggets of the National Basketball Association (NBA). Sports betting operators have no influence over nor are any such revenues in any way dependent on or linked to the newsrooms or news coverage. [7] In early January 2019, his redshirt was lifted because Kansas needed depth after Udoka Azubuike suffered a season-ending injury and Silvio De Sousa faced eligibility issues. May 19, 2022 1:43 pm ET. Wilson took on the challenge and finished the year with averages of 20.1 points and 8.3 rebounds per game while shooting 43.0% from the field. Ochai Agbaji weighs 215 lbs (97 kg). (37-45, 12th place in NBA Western Conference), More: [2] He grew up playing soccer, upon his father's encouragement, playing club soccer as well as Amateur Athletic Union (AAU) basketball from a young age. He is the coauthor of "Beyond the Streak," a behind-the-scenes look at Kansas basketball's record-setting Big 12 title run. Hot Zones. Please enter your email address. The rest of the week will be big for Agbaji, who can solidify his status with a strong showing in the live scrimmages on Thursday and Friday or become just another guy if he fails to stand out. Select coach. When was Ochai Agbaji drafted? More aggressive looking for his own shot than he was in the past, he had an efficient season while balancing his developing floor game and terrific consistency as a spot up shooter. He led the Jayhawks to a national championship and was named the Final Four Most Outstanding Player (MOP). The recent rise in popularity of the leagues two-way contracts and the significant increase in G League salaries of late has played a big role in the new way of thinking. Who Is Ochai Agbaji? | Best 3-And-D Wing - YouTube 2022 NBA Draft: Cleveland Cavaliers select Ochai Agbaji, Kansas guard Agbaji chipped in 20 points (8-15 FG, 3-7 3Pt, 1-2 FT), three rebounds, four assists and three blocks in 36 minutes during Saturday's 121-113 loss to the Kings. He is one of the best defenders in the college game, standing 6-foot-6 with a 6-10 wingspan and a strong 214-pound frame. Agbaji is not afraid to make the hustle plays you need to be successful and showcased that a number of times in the NCAA Tournament during Kansas title run. Standing 6-foot-5 and 215 pounds with a 6-10 wingspan, Agbaji was considered the prototype for the kind of NBA wing the Cavs need, especially in terms of his length, athleticism, shooting range and mechanics. He was not immune to lapses off the ball as a senior, but allowed only 0.63 points per isolation possession [69th percentile] while doing a nice job fighting over screens doing good work at the point of attack. Contributing as a freshman with his energy and length guarding multiple positions on the defensive end, Agbaji has had no shortage of impressive nights guarding one-on-one and chasing opposing shooters over his four collegiate seasons. Shooting Ochai Agbaji was born in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. When he walks in the gym, he has a great demeanor, a great vibe.. Ochai Agbaji could definitely help the Cavs as a knockdown catch-and-shoot threat early on, but even in Summer League, playmaking is a different story. Position SG/SF. It was Vaughns first time working with Agbaji, and he could tell from the jump Agbaji already operated like a pro. At 6-foot-6 and 214 pounds, Agbaji has a 6-foot-10 wingspan and is. Despite 1-9 shooting Saturday, hes still at a career best 39% from 3 on a career high 6+ attempts per game pic.twitter.com/AdNJuZZRUg, Mavs / Magic Draft (@MavsDraft) February 1, 2021. He has worked at Bleacher Report as the sites national college basketball writer and also covered the sport for CBSSports.com and Basketball Prospectus. All of this information and data, combined with the three years of film at KU and the fact that hes a high-character guy continue to paint Agbaji as a draftable player. [17][18] Kansas won the 2022 NCAA tournament, and he scored 12 points in the championship game and was named the tournament MOP. [16] At the close of the season, Agbaji was voted the Big 12 Player of the Year and was named a consensus first-team All-American. Either way, the days of guys only staying in the draft if theyre lock first-rounders where the guaranteed money lies appear to be gone. NBA 2022 Draft Prospects | Ochai Agbaji | NBA.com Splits Ochai Agbaji - College Basketball at Sports-Reference.com 2023 NBA Offseason Financial Previews: Utah Jazz Cavs draft Kansas' Ochai Agbaji No 14: Scouting report and how he fits home/away, monthly, etc More Ochai Agbaji Basketball Reference pages, 2022-23 Jazz It feels like defense always comes down to motor and effort, which are two things Agbaji plays with. He asks questions. His athletic ability is simply off the charts, as Agbaji possesses excellent quickness, leaping ability, and explosiveness. What the Cavs might like: The Cavs need scorers and 3-and-D wings and Agbaji can fill both of those needs. Reddit - Dive into anything He measured out at 6-5 1/2 in shoes with a wingspan around 6-10. This website is using a security service to protect itself from online attacks. He graduated from Lawrence High in 1996 and the University of Kansas in 2000 with a degree in Journalism. There are several actions that could trigger this block including submitting a certain word or phrase, a SQL command or malformed data. And I understand Ochai has had to sit on the bench a lot of this season because he thought he was gonna redshirt. Playing primarily off the ball throughout his four seasons at Kansas but getting more opportunities to create off the dribble as a senior than he did in the past, Agbaji had a very efficient offensive season as the Jayhawks first option. Agbaji stopped playing soccer as a sophomore at Oak Park High School in Kansas City, Missouri to focus on basketball. With the No. The NCAA champion and Final Four Most Outstanding Player showed off his smooth shooting stroke and explosive athleticism in front of a large group of NBA executives. Season 1 Shades Of. In a double overtime win against Texas Tech at Allen Fieldhouse in late January, for instance, he played 46 minutes and scored 37 points. Its weird to think 22 is a little old for a prospect, but when some of the other players are 19 or 20 years old there is certainly something to be said when comparing ages. Every single night Im playing more than 35 minutes, and it doesnt really seem that taxing on my body, he told The Athletic a few weeks after that game. 59 to the Brooklyn Nets. Playing both on and off the ball as a senior while showing improved accuracy and versatility as a jump shooter, Agbaji filled a key role for Kansas on the offensive end. While there will be a learning curve, Agbaji posted the fourth-highest vertical leap at the NBA Draft Combine at 39 inches. Its hard to master the NBAand the lead-up to the draft. Currently, his defensive upside hinges . Ochai Agbaji Game by Game Stats and Performance | ESPN Has a clear role at the next level with his prototypical physical tools and spot up shooting ability. A 6'-5" guard with a 6'-10" wingspan, sporting a 210 lb frame. He averaged 18.8 points per game while shooting 48% from the field and 41% from 3 last season . However, he was traded to the Jazz in September before playing a regular-season game in Cleveland. He's not the most efficient player at this point but the talent is definitely there and he has been a. For others its just being drafted period that will get them to stay in. He posted a max vertical of 41.5 inches and had a top-10 time in the lane-agility testing (10.88 seconds) at the event. [10], On November 5, 2019, Agbaji made his sophomore season debut, scoring 15 points in a loss to fourth-ranked Duke at the Champions Classic. A McDonald's All-American in high school, he played one season of college basketball for the UCLA Bruins.Watson was selected in the first round of the 2022 NBA draft with the 30th overall pick. NBA Draft 2022: What Ochai Agbaji brings to Cleveland Cavaliers How much does Ochai Agbaji weigh? Position: Forward Age: 22 Height: 6'6 School: Kansas. Ochai Agbaji with the strong direct pass to Marcus . Kansas (Big 12), wing (last known measurements) 6'5 height, 6'10 wingspan, 214 lbs Draft age: 22.17. Sports betting and gambling are not legal in all locations. Subscribe to Stathead Basketball: Get your first month FREEYour All-Access Ticket to the Basketball Reference Database. Ochai Agbaji - player profile [OC] : clevelandcavs - Reddit And what happens the rest of this week could play a big role in helping him make that decision. [17] On April 24, Agbaji declared for the 2022 NBA draft. Playing off someone like Nikola Jokic could unlock Agbaji as a player and help him grow even more, which he already has done a really solid job of throughout these past four seasons. Ochai Agbaji: Pops for 22 points Agbaji totaled 22 points (7-15 FG, 4-8 3Pt, 4-4 FT), four rebounds, three assists and two blocks over 38 minutes during Tuesday's 135-133 overtime loss to the. If you or someone you know has a gambling problem, help is available. Kansas Jayhawks senior forward Jalen Wilson was asked to carry the load offensively this year with Ochai Agbaji leaving for the NBA. Sign up for the Layup Lines newsletter to get our top stories in your inbox every morning. Ochai Agbaji was college basketball's Final Four Most Outstanding Player and a major part of Kansas' 2022 national . 0:27; Ochai Agbaji somehow gets the and-1 to fall. With a strong, lean body frame and a big 6'10" wingspan, Agbaji was frequently tasked with locking up the best wingers he went up against as a Jayhawk and can stay step-for-step with top. The action you just performed triggered the security solution. When was Ochai Agbaji born? Denies Tyty's drive baseline and then while Tyty gets a step on him; he still gets a decent contest on the recovery. pic.twitter.com/n2XG4ZZufg, Asher Levy (@asherlevynba) January 30, 2022. Similarly, he did a better job passing on the move in some spots than others as his floor game is still evolving. Agbaji totaled 22 points (7-15 FG, 4-8 3Pt, 4-4 FT), four rebounds, three assists and two blocks over 38 minutes during Tuesday's 135-133 overtime loss to the Lakers. His coaches say he made a huge leap mentally, thanks to what Beckner put him through a year ago. 3rd highest vertical leap, 3rd lowest body fat %, 5th fastest 3 quarter court sprint. How Kansas' Ochai Agbaji, Christian Braun, Jalen Wilson performed at 2022 NBA Draft: Ochai Agbaji's championship past could suit Bulls | RSN Even when hes not scoring, his defense can keep him on the floor. I was even texting with him asking how his workouts were going, Compton said. Ochai Agbaji - NBADraft.net Ochai Agbaji would be a starter day one in Atlanta imo. Ochai Agbaji | Utah Jazz | NBA.com Able to play way above the rim in space, he was the target of both designed lobs and a consistent threat to cut backdoor catching opposing defenders sleeping. Youre a fan of the NBA. A couple of quick notes about Agbajis measurements, all of which were in line with what was expected and put Agbaji in a favorable light as an NBA prospect: His wingspan was the fifth longest among all shooting guards at the combine. When he's not covering KU sports, he likes to spend his time playing basketball and golf, listening to and writing music and traveling the world with friends and family. [5] On February 8, 2018, he committed to play college basketball for Kansas over offers from Texas A&M and Wisconsin. Ochai Agbaji - Wikipedia Every Sports Reference Social Media Account, Site Last Updated: Monday, May 1, 7:34PM. As a senior at the University of Kansas, Agbaji was named a consensus first-team All-American and voted the Big 12 Player of the Year in 2022. He improved his . It was a phenomenal senior season for Agbaji, who was the unanimous Big 12 player of the year thanks to his 18.8 points, 5.1 rebounds, and 1.6 assists per game. Buzzworthy Picks 2022: Ochai Agbaji - At The Hive . Click to reveal inMilwaukee,Wisconsin Ochai Agbaji gets up for huge one-handed poster. So maybe Agbaji and his camp are thinking along those same lines. After covering KU sports for the University Daily Kansan and Rivals.com, Matt joined the World Company (and later Ogden Publications) in 2001 and has held several positions with the paper and KUsports.com in the past 20+ years. [24] On April 8, 2023, Agbaji scored a career-high 28 points in a 118114 win over the Nuggets. NBA 2K23 | 2KDB Sapphire Ochai Agbaji (85) Complete Stats He was not immune to lapses off the ball as a senior, but allowed only. When Ochai first walked in the gym and worked out with us, I was blown away, Compton said. 2022 NBA Draft: Cleveland Cavaliers select Kansas' Ochai Agbaji at No He set a Final Four record by shooting 85.7 percent on 3s (6 of 7) in the win over Villanova. Ochai Agbaji averages 7.9 points, 2.1 rebounds, and 1.1 assists per game. Height 6'5" (195cm) Wingspan 6'10" (208cm) Weight 215 lbs (97 kg) Team Utah Jazz. Ochai Agbaji had a rough outing vs Tennessee going 1-9 from 3, but he has a very quick release with no time wasted on the shot. Agbaji is an exceptional on-ball defender who has a knack for staying in front of his opponent and forcing them to take tough contested shots: Good on-ball defense from Agbaji here. A Bright Future for Ochai Agbaji - SLC Dunk Agbaji was born in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, but grew up in Kansas City, Missouri. Cleveland Cavaliers drafting NBA-ready Ochai Agbaji represents notable The start to what should be an exciting series between the Denver Nuggets and Phoenix Suns begins tonight. Please check your email for a confirmation. We take a look back at Mays NBA Draft Combine and see how some of Thursdays draft prospects performed. Similarly, he did a better job passing on the move in some spots than others as his floor game is still evolving. College Basketball at Sports-Reference.com, Scores from any date in BAA/NBA or ABA history, Frequently Asked Questions about the NBA, WNBA and Basketball, Basketball-Reference.com Blog and Articles, Subscribe to Stathead Basketball: Get your first month FREE. Ochai Agbaji NBA Draft Predictions, Stats, Profile & Highlights - The Duel 8:45 PM May 24, 2022. The combine features 5-on-5 games, strength and agility testing, shooting drills, measurements and other related on-court exercises. Moore, a staff writer for The Athletic, has been on the college basketball beat since 2011. Oak Park HS in Kansas City, Missouri, Draft: But he also brings the kind of character the Cavs believe will fit with what they've built. Kansas Jayhawks mailbag: Nick Timberlake, Hunter Dickinson | The Kansas [3] In his basketball career at Oak Park, Agbaji did not receive offers from any Power Five college programs until his senior season. Offensive Strengths highlights for Kansas sophomore swingman Ochai Agbaji.Agbaji is a freak vertical athlete that projects as a 3 & D player on the NBA level. He weighed 188.2 pounds with 5.3% body fat and had a standing reach of 8-6 and wingspan of 6 feet, 9.75 inches. Overall, hes a great kid. 185.222.157.181 . After declaring for the 2021 NBA Draft following his junior year and attending the NBA Draft Combine before returning to school, Agbaji faced steep expectations in his fourth year under head coach Bill Self. During his four years at Kansas, Agbaji was an incredibly streaky player who experienced a number of dry spells. Ochai Agbaji attended Oak Park HS in Kansas City, Missouri and Kansas. Ochai Agbaji is 6-5 (196 cm) tall. Ochai Agbaji was drafted by Cleveland Cavaliers, 1st round (14th pick, 14th overall), 2022 NBA Draft. Player stats broken down into various categories; i.e. 2022 NBA Draft - Instant Analysis - NBADraft.net us, High School: Able to play way above the rim in space, he was the target of both designed lobs and a consistent threat to cut backdoor catching opposing defenders sleeping. For the seventh year in a row, we're featuring Kevin O'Connor's Big Board, in which he extensively breaks down each of the top prospects' strengths, weaknesses, and closest NBA . Luckily for Agbaji hes more than just a one-dimensional players and will often find a way to make a positive impact whether his shot is going through the hoop or not. If Agbaji is close with another prospect and that player is two years younger than him it makes it more likely an NBA team is going to take the player with more upside. Earlier this week, at the G League Elite Camp, also in Chicago, KUs Jalen Wilson and former Jayhawk standout Marcus Garrett also were measured by NBA personnel. 14 overall pick in the 2022 NBA Draft. He can play on or off the ball uses his size and wingspan to get into passing lanes with the switchability to guard atleast 1 through 3 in regular lineups. But thats what were here for. As a senior, he averaged 27.6 points and 8.6 rebounds per game for Oak Park and was named Kansas City Star All-Metro player of the year. This go-round he was prepared, and Compton got to see how much the work mattered when their time together was finished and Agbaji was off touring the NBA, working out for different teams. The first few days of the combine typically include player interviews with team officials, medical tests with team doctors, drill work and skills tests, with the live scrimmages taking place Thursday and Friday. Agbaji was ejected in the fourth quarter of Sunday's game against the Lakers after being assessed a pair of technical fouls, Eric Walden of The Salt Lake Tribune reports. More powerful than shifty or creative with the ball, Agbaji did not put a lot of pressure on the rim off the dribble last season leaning on his pull-up jumper. 0:19; Ochai Agbaji impresses with nice bucket. It should also be mentioned that Agbaji is a really smart off-ball offensive player, which would fit in great with the Nuggets. [51st percentile], he found mixed results navigating the midrange and lacked fluidity on some attempts but scored in bunches when he found a rhythm off the dribble. The Good. Born in Milwaukee where both of his parents played at UWM, Agbaji flew under the radar throughout his time at Oak Park High School (MO), only gaining steam as a senior to finish his season ranked among the top consensus top-200 prospects in the high school class of 2018. Your IP: [NBA.com released the details of nearly every player][1] invited to the combine. And on the final possession of OT, after carrying his team to get there, he still had the legs to rise up and bury a deep 3. Sometimes when things are going bad, guys can kind of defer to somebody else thats going better. Agbaji was named Big 12 Conference Newcomer of the Week for the two performances. Ochai Agbaji was born on April 20, 2000. During his senior season, whether it was a move or a pass, everyone who knew his game before was repeatedly left with the realization that the old Agbaji would have never done, or even thought to try it. Click to reveal Ochai Agbaji was drafted by Cleveland . He enters the NBA as a guy who can score at all three levels and can actually score off the bounce, an area of real weakness early on in his career. youngoch, Position: Averaging 1.45 points per shot around the rim in the half court [94th percentile], Agbajis athleticism stood out when he could get a runway to the rim and with how consistently he filled lanes in transition. This is what the Cleveland Cavaliers getting in Agbaji, who was one of the most improved players in college basketball this past season.