2019 NBA Mock Draft 3.0
By Jakob Ashlin
Small Forward. KZ Okpala. 15. 64. Pick Analysis. Stanford. player. Scouting Report
The Detroit Pistons need to take a swing in this draft. Acquiring a solid role player will not be enough to significantly raise their ceiling, so KZ Okpala is the selection here.
Okpala has become of the best scorers in college basketball in his sophomore season. He is averaging 17.6 points per game and is capable of taking over a game on any night. Okpala scored 30 points in a win over California earlier this month.
Okpala was always projected to be a slasher. He has speed, athleticism, and great finishing ability around the basket. However, his jump shot has always been a concern. He only shot 22.6% from three-point range during his freshman campaign. Somehow, he has become a dangerous shooter in his sophomore season. He is shooting 38.2% from three while taking almost two more attempts per game.
If his improvement is for real, he will be a dangerous three level scorer at the next level. It is not absurd to label Okpala as simply a late bloomer, he reportedly grew 10 inches in high school. At 15th overall, the Pistons might as well find out for themselves.