Onuaku Sees His Stock Rise After U19 World Championships

[shadow force]

This is probably a little surprising to Louisville fans, and who knows how long it will last, but the buzz around the Cardinals' sophomore center Chinanu Onuaku has grown quite a bit this summer.

So much so that Draft Express, one of the most respected NBA draft sites, now projects the 6-foot-10 Onuaku as the 27th-best prospect in the 2016 draft.

Yes, that's a first-round pick. And Onuaku is the only U of L player listed on DX's big board. Another prominent draft site, NBADraft.net, has grad transfer Damion Lee as a potential late second-round pickand doesn't mention Onuaku.

Onuaku, who helped Team USA win the FIBA U19 World Championships this weekend in Greece, averaged 4.6 points, five rebounds, 1.7 blocks and 1.4 steals in seven games there. He was an efficient 13 of 20 from the field, and he made 6 of 10 from the free-throw line with his reformed shooting style.

His size -- 6-10, 230 pounds -- helped him become one of the top 75 prospects in the country in the 2014 class, but Onuaku was also on the young side, turning 18 once he was already a freshman at Louisville.

While it's obviously very early in the process, the Draft Express recognition is still unexpected, considering it was significant enough in April to report that Onuaku wouldn't transfer from U of L.

 

[Steelers2012]

I would LOVE for him to live up to those lofty expectations, and I think he can do that defensively with rebounding and shot blocking. But he has to stay out of foul trouble; which he seemed constantly in during the U19 games. He seems to still be a project offensively. I wish him (and us) the best.

 

[Cue Card]

He's still a baby. He's going to be 19 on his next birthday and he already has a full division one basketball season under his belt.

He is also a U19 basketball world champion. His ceiling is very high. I can't wait to see him shooting free throws under handed!!

 

[Ipartiedwithhopgood]

Giant strides can be made between the Fr/Soph season.

He is a very good passer and rebounder. As others mentioned fouls are an issue, I think another key issue for him is turnovers. He tends to travel or have it taken from him so hopefully he's working on cleaning that up.

 

[shamcard]

Giant strides can be made between the Fr/Soph season.

He is a very good passer and rebounder. As others mentioned fouls are an issue, I think another key issue for him is turnovers. He tends to travel or have it taken from him so hopefully he's working on cleaning that up.

Onuaku does have a problem with his hands. He has difficulty holding on to passes thrown to him, and to rebounds he grabs. Should be a focus of this summer's individual training.

 

[Senore2006]

Nanu knows his strengths and weaknesses. He almost always passed the ball out instead of trying offensive post moves and his passing was top notch. It is only a matter of time before he discovers the Dave Padgett jump hook which will make his game even more well-rounded. I think we have him for 2 more years. He appears to have begun taking basketball seriously and basketball under Rick could not have been a better choice.

 

[Steelers2012]

Onuaku does have a problem with his hands. He has difficulty holding on to passes thrown to him, and to rebounds he grabs. Should be a focus of this summer's individual training.

I agree, and I think Mangok has the same issues. With Mangok it might just be a strength issue, but I would not think strength is an issue with Onuaku. I think both would be well served to work on having "strong hands". I assume there are exercises and drills designed to enhance that facet.

 

[shadow force]

Onuaku just needs a couple - or at least one- go to post move. He has the size, frame, and strength to be able to score in the post but needs to develop a jump hook, baby hook, or utilize the up and under to do so. Nanu, unlike all the other centers on the team, already has the physical part down and doesn't need to gain weight or strength- he just needs to hone his hands and offensive skills some more. Work a bit more on defense and not fouling so much too. I do love his potential though.

 

[EasyCard]

A lot of Onuaku's game will improve with his physical development. Ive noticed the more longer he is on the court the sloppier his play becomes, more than other freshmen. In the WC, he looked slender and quicker on his feet, but he still hit a conditioning wall towards the end of the 3rd qtr in the last game.

I expect Onuaku to have make even greater strides in fitness and strength before the season starts.

Will he ever be a go to offensive weapon, probably not, but he aint projected to be for the pros.

 

[Knucklehank1]

I watched several of the U19 games. I would agree that he looked much improved physically. You could tell when he was out of the game because the post defense suffered. That being said, he still showed very little offensively. He rarely worked to get open and therefore rarely touched the ball.