OKC Thunder NBA Draft prospect series: Thomas Bryant

Yet another big man Thomas Bryant represents yet another big man in this loaded center and point guard draft.

Although a big man with jaw dropping measurements has always moved the needle for most teams, when those assets aren’t directly producing results it can serve as a deterrent. In Thomas Bryant’s case he already has an NBA ready body, and he’s young. But, for him to be off so many boards and seemingly his inability to use those assets effectively makes him an undesirable prospect in my books.

This opens up the argument I’ve wondered about recently how would a player of Shaquille O’Neal’s ilk fare in the modern day NBA? And, Shaq is smart on top of being big. Still, I’m not sure he would be the same dominant presence today.

Specifics:

Height: 6′ 10″

Weight: 241 lbs

Wingspan: 7’6 ”

Position: Center

Age: 19 years, 9 months

Statline: 12.6 points, 6.6 rebounds, 1.5 assists, 1.5 blocks

College: Indiana (sophomore)

Home Town:Rochester, New York

Current rankings:

Please note, rankings come from versions as of time of writing. However, not all mock drafts provide second round ranks or updates. Due to this if rankings change after posting it’s likely due to updates and a shift in the rankings.

DraftExpress: 36th

The Ringer’s Kevin O’Connor: 51

CBS Sports: 34

Basketball Insiders:38

This is a perfect example of a player who pundits do’t have a consensus on. Though some earmark him to be selected i the second round still others don’t have him on their boards at all.

Skills:

Genetics offer his greatest assets as Draft Express pointed out.

"A good deal of the intrigue surrounding Thomas Bryant as an NBA prospect is what he brings to the table in terms of physical tools. Standing nearly 6’11 with shoes, Bryant measured a 7’6 wingspan and a 9’4.5 standing reach at the 2017 NBA Combine, both numbers which ranked third in terms of all prospects that were measured, and are in the 99th percentile historically among the thousands of measurements in our database. Bryant’s size, length and reach allow him to affect the game in multiple areas, particularly as a finisher and on the offensive glass. While he lacks a certain degree of explosiveness that limits his ability to finish consistently in a crowd, his reach allows him to finish above the rim with ease without having to get high off the ground. He is not the quickest or bounciest athlete, but he shows good speed running the floor in transition and is a powerful finisher at the rim when he has momentum running downhill."

Personally, I’m not big on the big man (no pun intended) since there are so many other bigs in this draft who offer copious assets and higher ceilings in comparison.

Weaknesses:

As per above Bryant has done little to offer reason to believe his ceiling isn’t close to being capped. He demonstrates very little natural instincts thus making him seem to be on the lower end of basketball IQ spectrum. His limitations on offense become eve more concerning when you examine how poor his efficiency is right at the basket. Sure, he’s got that ridiculous reach and wing span, but if he can’t use it to power his way to great paint efficiency how worthwhile is it to have him on court.

Perhaps the most shocking figure I found is his shocking 18.2 turnover percentage.

Sure teams will get excited by his physical attributes, but basketball acumen wins out in my books every day. Especially when his sheer size isn’t used properly and leads to foul trouble.

Honors and awards:

Big 10, All-Conference 3rd Team, 2017

Big 10, All-Freshman Team, 2016

Media give honorable mention for Big 10 All-Conference Team, 2016

Big 10, All-Conference 3rd Team, 2016

McDonald’s All-American Participant, 2015

Pro Comparison:

Kevin O’Connor of The Ringer provided a ceiling comparison for each of his prospects. O’Connor’s list pegs Collins ceiling as Anderson Varejão and Jamaal Magloire.

Quite the range as Varejao was noted for his rebounding and flops while Magloire was a top performer who almost won All-Star MVP. For Bryant’s sake he should be trying to channel “Big Cat”.

The fit:

The OKC Thunder don’t have a pick in the second round which is where Bryant will undoubtedly fall. Pundits have him i the late 30’s to bottom of draft. While there are many scribes who presume Sam Presti will be actively looking to trade up or down, Bryant won’t be a player on his radar.

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