GET TO KNOW 217 NBA DRAFT PROSPECTS- Semi Ojeleye
Age: 22
Position: SF/PF
College: SMU, Junior
Measurables
Height w/o Shoes: 6’5 ¼”
Height w/ Shoes: 6’6 ¾”
Weight: 241
Wingspan: 6’9 ¾”
Standing Reach: 8’6”
Max Vertical: 40.5”
(Via Draft Express)
College Statistics (2016/2017)
MPG: 34.1
PPG: 19.0
RPG: 6.9
ASTPG: 1.5
BLKPG: 0.4
FT%: 78.5%
2-PT FG%: 52.9%
3-PT FG%: 42.4%
2017 Big Board Ranking
Kevin O’Connor: 23
Chad Ford: 35
Draft Express: 28
Sports Illustrated: 36
CBS Sports: 35
Best-Case Scenario: Jae Crowder, Stanley Johnson, Jonathon Simmons
3 Things to Know
1. Strong frame with defensive potential
2. Shown potential offensive versatility with decent range
3. Needs to improve awareness and decision making
Strengths
- Good bounce off of 2 feet
- Big powerful frame
- Can absorb contact around the rim
- Stays down and holds strong like a wall on defense
- Comfortable with switch in pick and roll
- Spaces the floor
- Compact shooting stroke
- Uses jabs effectively and can attack closeouts
- Very effective pick and pop game
- Good rip through and drive
- Effective jumper allows him to use fakes
Weaknesses
- Limited range off of the bounce
- Struggles to finish. Like to gather off of 2 feet
- Could benefit from developing a floater
- Needs to improve feel and court awareness
- Needs to get a quicker release on shot
- Reckless when driving at times
- Struggles versus size in the post
- Needs to improve rebounding awareness
- Could benefit from improving defensive intensity
Summary
Semi Ojeleye’s journey to the NBA is almost complete. He initially signed with Duke University in the class of 2013, but after two years decided to transfer to Southern Methodist University. Ojeleye has a big powerful frame, which he can use on both the offensive and defensive sides of the ball. He showed some offensive versatility this past season by using his jab step to attack closeouts and absorb contact at the rim while also demonstrating his ability to be a threat out of the pick and pop game. On defense, his strong frame allows him to play like a wall in the post and hold his ground using excellent fundamentals by not fouling. Ojeleye will need to improve some aspects of his offensive game like finding a quicker shooting release and developing a floater in the lane. He would also benefit from improving his court awareness and feel on offense as well as his feel for rebounding. Ojeleye has the potential to be a good NBA player, so look for him to be selected anywhere in the late 1st round to the early part of the 2nd round.
