Jusuf Nurkic
Birthdate: Aug. 23, 1994 (Republic of Bosnia)
School: None Class: 2014 (OFFICIAL) Height: 6'11" Weight: 280 NBA Position: Center |
Scouting Report 1.0 — 06.10.2014 (Joseph Fafinski)
A rising commodity in this class, Jusuf Nurkic is primed to become the next great European protector of the NBA post. Nurkic, 19 and baby faced, statistically dominated the European circuit this past season. Playing in the Adriatic League for Cedevita, he put up ridiculous numbers in just over 16 minutes per game, averaging 11.7 points and pulling down 5.7 rebounds (totalling an insane 44 PER!). Granted, with just 28 games on the log, it’s a sample size. As we all know, the center spot lacks talent in this year’s draft class. This is worrisome because Nurkic, arguably the second best at the position, doesn't do much a considerable amount of things exceptionally. There are many areas in his game that need improvement. Defensively, his off the ball movement is weak at times and he makes stupid decisions with his hands. He often gets torched by the man he's supposedly guarding.
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Athletically, he doesn’t mesh well with the bigs of the NBA (rumor has it his vertical doesn't even grace two feet). When facing fellow European big and 2014 draft hopeful Clint Capela, who isn't celebrated for his strength, Nurkic looked physically spent in the paint. When they took on Dario Saric's club, Nurkic was thoroughly overplayed by the highly regarded Croatian. Despite all that, he's not quite a second-rate prospect. Nurkic has a 7’2 wingspan and is able to pull down rebounds at ease using his exceptional size, length, and above-average strength. Ceiling wise, Nurkic plays like Nikola Pekovic without the otherworldly muscles, large cult following, and devilishly handsome looks, but that’s too effortless to equate him to another European import. I’ll say he’s a more refined Chris Mihm with a much greater upside and one less Kobe Bryant chewing his ear off.
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I’m worried teams might reach for Nurkic somewhere in the lottery (Draft Express has him going 12th overall) because he’s considered a "valuable" center in the class. It's a misnomer of sorts. Aside from Joel Embiid, centers won't expect to garner any surefire lottery selections in two weeks. Jusuf Nurkic’s floor and ceiling are spread apart. I’m just worried he won’t match up with the most athletic big men in the world. Offensively, he should-- his touch around the glass is solid. His upside (working on the aforementioned weaknesses can help ameliorate his NBA potential) coupled with his ability to score in the post makes him worthy of a first round selection. Just barely.
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