NBA Draft 2019 Prospect Watch: Chuma Okeke

BIRMINGHAM, AL - DECEMBER 15: (Photo by Michael Wade/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)
BIRMINGHAM, AL - DECEMBER 15: (Photo by Michael Wade/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)
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KANSAS CITY, MISSOURI – MARCH 29: (Photo by Jamie Squire/Getty Images)
KANSAS CITY, MISSOURI – MARCH 29: (Photo by Jamie Squire/Getty Images)

Weaknesses

Unfortunately for Okeke, the biggest red flag facing him is the ACL tear he suffered late into Auburn’s run in this year’s NCAA Tournament.

Already a player who’s not brimming with explosiveness, there may be long-term concerns about his knee as Kevin O’Connor of The Ringer reported in his scouting report of the 20-year-old that Okeke suffered a bone bruise in the same knee during the summer of 2017.

How that affects his defensive abilities will be on the minds of front office personnel around the league, especially with the jump in athleticism and Okeke’s occasional struggles staying in front of his assignment.

Beyond that, Okeke’s quite limited when it comes to creating jump shots off the dribble. That can be directly tied to his rudimentary ball handling, which will certainly have to be refined on the next level.