OKC Thunder NBA draft profile: Jonathan Kuminga – untapped potential

Jonathan Kuminga #0 of the G League Ignite shoots during a G-League game (Photo by Mike Ehrmann/Getty Images)
Jonathan Kuminga #0 of the G League Ignite shoots during a G-League game (Photo by Mike Ehrmann/Getty Images)
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OKC Thunder
OKC Thunder draft prospect series: Jonathan Kuminga #0 of the G League Ignite. (Photo by Mike Ehrmann/Getty Images)

The 2021 NBA Draft class was earmarked as the deepest in years with a handful of superior players in a tier of their own. While some tapped a specific quartet others cited Jonathan Kuminga as the fifth given his youth and projected upside. This is the first prospect in our profiles that could potentially slip to the OKC Thunder without Sam Presti needing to make a deal to trade up for the combo forward.

Kuminga like Jalen Green spent the season opting out of the NCAA electing instead to play for the G-League Ignite. Although some analysts felt he didn’t do enough to separate himself it’s important to remember the competition in the G-League is better overall.

Most rosters feature two-way contracted players, rookies, and young players as well as older pros either looking for another shot or using the G-League as part of their rehabilitation from injury.

That factor alone makes it more difficult to stand out as easily as the prospects in college are able to.

OKC Thunder draft prospect profile for Jonathan Kuminga:

Specifics:

  • Height: 6’8″
  • Weight: 220 pounds
  • Wingspan: 7′
  • Position: Combo Forward
  • Birthdate/Age:  October 6, 2002 -18 years
  • G-League: Ignite, freshman
  • Stat line: 15.8 points, 7.2 rebounds, 2.7 assists, 1.0 steals
  • Home Town: Greenwich, CT

Box Score Statistics:

Per Game Table
Season G MP FGA FG% 3PA 3P% 2PA 2P% FTA FT% ORB DRB TRB AST STL BLK PTS
2020-21 13 32.8 14.3 .387 5.0 .246 9.3 .463 3.7 .625 1.2 6.0 7.2 2.7 1.0 0.8 15.8

Provided by Basketball-Reference.com: View Original Table
Generated 7/11/2021.

Current Ranking:

Kuminga has consistently ranked fifth in the quartet although some mock drafts place him a tad higher based on his raw talent and ceiling. Others drop him lower either preferring to have a player who can produce immediately or is a better fit for the team’s timeline.

With that let’s dive a little deeper into Kuminga to determine his strengths and weaknesses.