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The Ringer | Mock Draft By Kevin O'Connor
June 13, 2022
9
San Antonio Spurs
Ousmane Dieng
Forward New Zealand
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Shades Of
Brandon Ingram, prime Chandler Parsons, Evan Turner
Ousmane Dieng
Height 6'10" Weight 200
Age 19.1 Year
Points
PTS 7.0 .405 TS%
3-point percentage
3P% 21.3 61 3PA
Rebounds
REB 2.9 8.3 REB%
Assists
AST 0.9 1.3 TOV
San Antonio Spurs
This is Dieng’s first appearance in the top 10 of my mock draft as he continues to rise up draft boards. Dieng is a smooth 6-foot-10 shot-creator who oozes upside. Though he is raw as a scorer, the Spurs could have him follow the same developmental plan that Keldon Johnson and Devin Vassell experienced in their system. With size, scoring, a will to pass, and potential defensive versatility, Dieng could become the steal of the draft.
One of the highest-upside prospects in the draft thanks to his blend of defense, size, and smooth shot creation, but he’s yet to prove he can score efficiently.
Ballhandlingbadge
Ballhandling
Playmakingbadge
Playmaking
PLUSES
His best skill is ball handling. Despite his size, he’s able to get where he wants with this dribble using low crossovers and hesitations. He has a quick first step, too. After stringing together a series of moves, he has the control to deliver passes off the dribble or glide into right-handed layups and floaters.
Similarly, he’s able to generate space for pull-up jumpers. The results have not been great so far, but he looks fluid getting into shots. It’s just a matter of getting them to fall. Extending his range will be key.
Shows good passing vision. He can spot cutters then throw jump passes over the defense; also, if he draws help on a drive, he can find the open man outside. He could be plugged into a playmaking role if his perimeter shooting develops, but even if it doesn’t his talents could be featured in a role as a screener, cutter, and slasher.
Projects as a highly versatile defender thanks to his length and quickness. On-ball, he displays the agility to slide with guards and wings. His movement looks effortless. Away from the ball he has the potential to become an effective help defender in the paint if his awareness improves.
MINUSES
It’s brick city for him as a shooter right now. He shot just 35.6 percent from the field and 23.5 percent from 3-point range in the NBL. Though he looks good shooting the ball, he has never been efficient.
Avoids contact at the rim. He ends up settling for difficult floaters or off-balance shots. In his first 12 games before injuring his wrist this season, he attempted only four free throws. Since he returned on March 5, he’s averaging 2.6 per game. That’s still a low number, but any type of progress is notable evidence that he is being more aggressive as a scorer.
Though he has good passing vision, his accuracy needs to improve. Too often the ball is off target, so a good look can be wasted because a defender has time to close the gap with the shooter.
Defensive awareness is an issue, especially off-ball. So many NBA defenses are switching screens these days that often the big man is pulled away from his protection duties near the paint. So that responsibility can fall on wings like Dieng. He has the size to be a nuisance, but too often he doesn’t rotate quickly enough to make a difference.20
San Antonio Spurs (Via TOR)
Nikola Jovic
Forward Mega Basket
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Shades Of
Danilo Gallinari, NOT Nikola Jokic
Nikola Jovic
Height 6'9.5" Weight 227
Age 19.0 Year
Points
PTS 10.9 .529 TS%
3-point percentage
3P% 34.0 97 3PA
Assists
AST 3.3 2.6 TOV
Rebounds
REB 4.3 9.5 REB%
San Antonio Spurs
Jovic is an ideal fit for the Spursian style that prioritizes ball movement and motion. At 6-foot-10, he can handle, shoot, and create for teammates. The Spurs have shaped their roster with players who fit the same profile for decades. Jovic would follow the same philosophy on a team already ripe with lengthy creators.
Late bloomer who grew up playing guard, and it shows in his game as a talented playmaker with size who’s still learning how to thrive near the rim.
Playmakingbadge
Playmaking
PLUSES
At his best with the ball in his hands in the open court or in the pick-and-roll. He’s capable of getting into his shot from any area of the floor. He doesn’t force it, though. Jovic has good shot selection and has the vision as a passer to make his teammates better.
Shot creation in the open floor is his best skill. He is able to change his pace and use hesitations while taking long strides toward the basket. He has a good handle and smooth footwork, which allows him to keep his dribble alive while deciding whether to score or facilitate.
With the ability to run the pick-and-roll and set solid screens at 6-foot-10, he could create major matchup advantages. Against a switch, he has the size advantage down low if he develops a post game. Against a blitz, he can pass as the ball handler or make plays for himself off the bounce. Against drop coverage, he has displayed the ability to shoot off the dribble if given space. Like many young players, he needs to improve his efficiency, but the building blocks are there.
Intelligent off-ball player on offense who has great instincts for cutting into the paint. Plus he has good hands.
Theoretically a versatile defender if he’s able to improve his sloppy fundamentals and get quicker laterally. Right now, he is at his best defending in help situations at the rim. Even if he’s not a shot blocker, his pure size still makes him more of a deterrent than smaller players in the same position.
MINUSES
He’s an inefficient offensive player right now, including from three-point range. He struggles finishing near the rim. He lacks bounce in the paint, and though he has size he doesn’t always know how to use it. He’s not particularly physical, and he has no post game to speak of.
Subpar defensive player who suffers through stretches of low intensity. He’s a bit sluggish, which limits him as a switch defender. And he lacks beef on his body, so battling against NBA centers is a no-go.25
San Antonio Spurs (Via BOS)
Jaden Hardy
Wing Ignite
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Shades Of
Bradley Beal, Cam Thomas, Dion Waiters
Jaden Hardy
Height 6'4" Weight 190
Age 19.9 Year
Points
PTS 17.7 .482 TS%
3-point percentage
3P% 26.9 78 3PA
Assists
AST 3.2 3.5 TOV
Steals
STL 1.3 0.3 BLK
San Antonio Spurs
After selecting two forwards earlier in this mock, here’s a scoring wing for the Spurs. Hardy was a top high school recruit whose draft stock plummeted during a poor season with the G League Ignite. But at this point of the first round, someone could take a shot. Considering San Antonio’s desire to find a star scorer, he seems worth the risk.
Pure bucket-getter who needs to improve his efficiency and playmaking.
Ballhandlingbadge
Ballhandling
PLUSES
Smooth ball handler with a deep bag of moves to create space and launch shots off the bounce. He can elevate without setting his feet and find his balance in midair. Since high school, isolation scoring has been the center of his game. Now, he needs to extend his range as a shooter to continue to excel. This season, he made 35.7 percent of pull-up 2-point jumpers compared to only 27.4 percent of 3s off the dribble, per Synergy.
Potential knockdown shooter who can drain 3s after running around screens. He’s the type of player who can run hard into the catch, turn, and shoot. He made 36.6 percent of his catch-and-shoot 3s in the G League, according to Synergy.
Made solid progress as a pick-and-roll ball handler in the G League. He operates with newfound patience navigating screens.
Though he’s not a stopper, he battles on defense, fighting through screens and even taking charges. With long arms, he could be a quality defender if his level of consistency improves.
MINUSES
Lacks vertical pop and a quick first step, leading to him struggling at the rim. He flails around at impact. As a counter, he needs to develop his floater and download a craftier layup package.
Decision-making. He was asked to be a scorer in high school but needs to prove he will take smart shots as a playmaker. He improved with the Ignite but still misses some open teammates in favor of forcing tough looks.
Frequent defensive liability who at times appeared apathetic and unmotivated, losing focus off the ball and not even getting into a stance one-on-one.
Is he just a volume scorer or can he become efficient? For the most part, iso scoring has always been his calling card. Teams wonder whether he’ll ever develop any other NBA skills.
