KD has got to find some PT for this kid.
When I first saw him I thought, "Kid seems like a really raw Ibitayo? Maybe, in 2-3 years, he can grow into a serviceable player if he puts on some weight and works hard."
Upon further review - he reminds me a lot of Marcel Boyce.
Boyce was the last Zip ever drafted by the NBA (back when there was a 6th round). He was rail-thin, but could jump out of the gym, block shots... he was a great help defender. He was also a dangerous 3-point shooter.
Obviously, Boyce's offensive side has no correlation to Olojakpoke. But just as Boyce relentlessly swatted balls back in the faces of future NBA players like Charles Smith and Roy Tarpley, 'poke's combination of athleticism, energy and anticipation is gonna do the same for the Zips over the next 3.8 seasons. Defensively, the kid is a "Freshman Boyce."
Olojakpoke's hops are awesome, his help defense and shot-blocking is way better than the next best Zips' historical comparison - Quade Milum. He hustles...did anyone see the block he had last night where the loose ball was kicked-out to the right elbow ...and Olojakpoke sprinted instantly to the elbow and smothered the ball handler?
The kid has biceps the diameter of pixie stix, but in limited action he's displayed unbelievably soft, strong hands around the rim.
We have a glut of 3-point marksman on our roster. We need someone to play "garbage man," play defense and clean the glass. This kid..."Marcel Boyce Lite"..."Louis Orr Jr."..."Baby Rodman"...whatever you want to call him...he looks like a offensive project. But defensively...rebounding-wise...he's way ahead of where Ibitayo or any similar player was at this time. I look forward to seeing him develop, and seeing how KD utilizes him from here-on-out in 2016/17. He's gonna be a electric difference-maker!