2022 NBA Draft Profile: Ochai Agbaji

Ochai Agbaji
Phantom Designs for Def Pen Sports

No one helped himself more in terms of draft stock as far as returning players in college basketball than Ochai Agbaji this year. This season, the All-American was excellent and helped lead his team to a national championship this year while claiming Final Four Most Outstanding Player. Agabji entered the draft last year and was close to staying in before deciding another year of school would serve him well and wow, did it. He was able to show off an improved handle and ability to attack the basket while showing better consistency in his outside shooting.

Agabji has put himself in a position to be a top 15 pick by most who cover the NBA Draft, and 16 by our mock draft here at Def Pen. Let’s dive into why Agbaji is now a first-round lock and is better prepared to contribute immediately in the league.

Shooting

Agbaji for most of the year was one of the best shooters in the country, especially on catch and shoot threes. He hit a slump from February through mid-March bringing down his averages before re-igniting late in the 2022 NCAA Tournament helping lead his team to the title. Agbaji has an easy stroke that he can get off quickly when given just a bit of space. He was able to get nearly seven attempts a game off this year while maintaining an average above 40%. Maintaining efficiency on a high number of attempts is hard to do, especially in the college game and Agbaji did it as the number one player on every team’s scouting report game after game. It was not quite Buddy Hield 2016 at Oklahoma levels but it was quite impressive nonetheless.

He could stand to improve his shooting coming off the pick and roll in the mid-range area, but with the role, he’ll likely play at the next level he will likely not be asked to take many of those. His shots will become simpler more than likely as he falls into a three-and-D role early in his career with him likely drafted to a team close to making the playoffs. He also showed the ability to knock down shots off of screens with Bill Self designing several plays to get him open shots. From there Agbaji was consistent in knocking those down, making 43% of his shots coming off screens. His ability to shoot is something that will help keep him in the league with every team looking for shooting at the next level.

Athleticism

Agbaji had one of the highest verticals at the combine this year, coming in just under 40 inches and it shows when he’s out there playing. He was a major lob threat from his first game at Kansas and became the main lob catcher for Bill Self in his final two years with some absolute highlight plays.

His athleticism translates to his quickness and speed as well. He glides in transition, easily getting up and down the floor, and was a major threat on a Kansas team that could fly when they had things going. It also translates on the defensive end where when he is locked in, shows a good ability to slide his feet and stay in front of his man. His defensive metrics were solid this year on the ball. Off the ball is when he got himself in trouble but when he’s faced with guarding his man on an island, that quickness truly shows off. The athleticism isn’t just jumping, he’s a natural and fluid athlete who should have no problems at the next level. He won’t be the freakiest athlete in all games but he will be one of the better guys when he steps on the floor.

Weakness: Creating and Playmaking

Ochai Agabaji improved his handle considerably coming into this year and did show an improved ability to put the ball on the floor. He still didn’t quite turn himself into a great playmaker and could struggle to create good looks vs high-level defenders. He can be lazy as a passer which often leads to questionable turnovers at times. As he steps down the scouting report a few notches some of those mistakes when the load isn’t quite as heavy should disappear. Agabji will always be a role player until his ability to create for others improves. Right now he’s a guy who excels with catch and shoot opportunities, in transition, and is looking to shoot when he comes off screens set for him and as a ball-handler. The Kansas offense is programmed to throw lob passes to their big men when driving the lane but Agbaji was one of the only guards to rarely throw that pass. He botched a few of the lobs he did throw including one vs Texas with under 90 seconds remaining that helped Texas secure a come-from-behind win vs the Jayhawks this year. Agbaji isn’t a horrible passer, it’s just not a strength as of now and he won’t need it to be for him to have a long NBA career.

NBA Comparison: Kentavious Caldwell-Pope

Ochai Agbaji
Los Angeles Lakers Wing Kentavious Caldwell-Pope (Richard Mackson/USA Today Sports)

When thinking of the player Agbaji could become, a more athletic Kentavious Caldwell-Pope could be an option. Thinking back to his Laker days when he was playing alongside LeBron James and was the Lakers’ third wheel behind LeBron and Anthony Davis in the bubble. Caldwell-Pope when turned up can be quite the defender with his size and ability to move laterally similar to Agbaji. Caldwell-Pope doesn’t have the vertical explosiveness of an Agbaji but his agility testing was quite elite at his combine in 2013. Caldwell-Pope has shot 38% or better in four of the last five seasons including a career-high 41% in his last season with the Lakers for the 2020-2021 season.

Caldwell-Pope is a player who has averaged double digits in points in six of his nine seasons in the NBA and has carved out a nice role as a 3 & D player in this league. His inability to create has limited his potential to become more similar to what Agbaji may experience. They both can attack closeouts well with Agabji being a bit better in terms of handling the ball to get into more shots besides catch and shoot threes or layups. But overall Ochai Agbaji profiles fairly similar in terms of game but with more athleticism which offers a higher floor if he continues to develop.

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