Thunder NBA Draft prospect series: Alberto Abalde
By Tony Heim
Alberto Abalde fits the mold of a player the OKC Thunder could use, but without a second round pick it will take some sort of trade to make happen.
Little is known about Alberto Abalde, a small forward prospect from Spain. The few things scouts have seen, however, makes Abalde an intriguing late round draft-and-stash prospect for teams like the Thunder.
Specifics
Height: 6’7
Weight: 215 Ibs
Position: Small Forward
Age: 21
Professional team: Joventut
Statline: 10.1 points, 3.5 rebounds, 1.8 assists, .8 steals, .1 blocks
Current rankings
Please note that rankings are the most up-to-date at the time of writing this. They are subject to change at any moment and for any reason.
Draft Express: 48th overall prospect
The Ringer’s Kevin O’Connor: N/R
CBS Sports: N/R
Skills
Abalde is an all-around solid player. Unlike his fellow international prospects the 21-year old plays a fairly large role on his professional team, Divina Seguros Juventut. Abalde averages nearly 24 minutes a game while averaging 10 points per contest, five more minutes and points than top-ranked international player Frank Ntilkina.
Related Story: Terrance Ferguson prospect review
The forward’s best asset is his ability to put the ball on the floor. He does a great job of finding angles a defender can’t beat him too, and once he’s in front of his man he seals off his defender seamlessly.
On defense Abalde is active with his hands at all times, a sign of a player that truly cares about both ends on the floor. He shows a high basketball IQ by cutting off easy lanes to the rim and avoiding falling for his opponents’ fakes.
Weaknesses
Abalde’s greatest strength is also his greatest weakness. Because he has no specialization teams may pass on him without having a clearcut role in mind. Abalde isn’t a great athlete nor is he an average shooter, eliminating two of the most important attributes team’s look for in today’s NBA.
While he is a solid ball-handler Abalde is too slow to get around NBA-level defenders consistently. Without a jumper teams can afford to sag off him, cutting off his ability to get a step ahead of his defender. When he does, he’ll have a tough time finishing over more athletic NBA bigs.
Honors and awards
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ACB’s Best Young Five Team (2017)
MVP Nike International Junior Tournament (2013)
The fit
Abalde reminds me of current OKC Thunder great Kyle Singler. He has no translatable skill to the NBA, yet teams are still interested because his overall feel for the game is superior to many of his peers. Although his jump shot is inconsistent, the mechanics look good. If Abalde tightens up that aspect of his game then he could find a place in the league.
Without a second round pick it seems highly unlikely that the Thunder pick Alberto Abalde. There are too many other prospects with much greater upside than Abalde, and Oklahoma City is sure to search for a player with high upside over a high floor.