Aleksej Pokusevski
Updated as of 11/21/2020, scouting report written by Alan Lu.
2020 rankings were finalized on 11/17/20.
Height: 7-0
Weight: 195
Country: Serbia
Professional Team: Olympiacos
Classification: International ’01
Birthdate: 12/26/2001
2020 Top 100 Prospect Rank: 26
Projected Draft Range: Mid 1st to 2nd Round
2020 NBA Draft: Round 1, Pick 17 by the Minnesota Timberwolves
(Rights traded to the Oklahoma City Thunder)
Pros:
Decent scorer off the dribble
Excels at scoring on off-ball motion plays
Has stretch big potential
Fairly good playmaker
Very good rebounder
Decent defensive player
Very good shot blocker
Solid athlete
Versatile player that can play multiple positions
Cons:
Needs to improve his outside shot
Struggles to score in traffic
Can be unfocused defensively
Needs to add strength
May have a questionable motor
Limited experience against top notch competition
Summary:
Aleksej Pokusevski is a tall, athletic young big man that has filled up the stat sheet against players his age in international competition during the FIBA tournaments, and he put up strong numbers in a 2nd division Greek League for Olympiacos this season.
NBA teams may be on a never-ending search for the next Giannis Antetokounmpo in their quest to find the next great overseas talent that may be hidden in an obscure professional league, and some people think that Aleksej Pokusevski could end up being that type of player.
He is a skilled playmaker that is comfortable with the ball in his hands, and he has shown the ability to be a point center on the floor. He also is a rangy defender that can accumulate blocks and steals in games. On the downside, he will need to improve his jump shot, and he may sometimes struggle to defend out on the perimeter. Right now, Pokusevski may not quite be a polished player, but he is a talented player that may have a unique skill package, as that could enable him to be a first round pick in the 2020 draft.
Links:
ESPN’s Article on Sleeper Prospects for the 2020 Draft
Games Scouted:
10/12/19 Olympiacos vs. Charilaos Trikoupis Mesologiou
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