First-team All Pac-12 sophomore KZ Okpala has declared for the NBA Draft.
This move is not unexpected, as he is seen as a first round talent in most every mock draft. The rangy forward put together a strong 2018-19 campaign, averaging 16.9 points and 5.7 rebounds on 46/37/67 shooting splits. He was primarily known as a stopper his freshman year, but displayed a more varied offense arsenal this past season.
Projecting KZ at the next level is tricky. He’s a slasher, so he’ll benefit from NBA spacing and rules like the defensive three second. At Stanford he was often met by a crowd in the paint. His length is sure to entice teams as well, with hopes that they can make him a better defender.
However, his shooting raises some concerns. He shot 37% from deep on decent volume this year, but went just 9-39 (23%) over his final 13 games and has an awkward release. It’s also generally accepted that college free throw percentage is the best predictor of NBA three point success, and he shot only 67% from the line at Stanford. He has other question marks, too, such as his thin stature and inconsistent playmaking.
Okpala will no doubt be invited to the NBA combine, which takes place in Chicago from May 14-19. He’ll have the chance to attend workouts with individual teams as well, and be given feedback. Afterwards, he’ll be told what half of the first or second round he’s projected to be selected.
From there, he has until 2 PM PDT on June 10th to withdraw and return to Stanford. The rules changed this year, allowing players to hire agents without sacrificing college eligibility. Should he stay in the draft, he will hear his name called on June 20th in Brooklyn’s Barclays Center.
Okpala’s departure would be a big blow for Stanford, and the third starter leaving early in the last few years (Rosco Allen and Reid Travis left before their fifth years). The last Cardinal players to depart for the league before their junior seasons were the Lopez twins, a decade ago.
Comments
I think this is bad for Stanford and for KZ
As I’ve said before, the only upside I see in this move is starting his free agent clock earlier—but he’ll need to improve a lot to become NBA-worthy so that his free agent contract will actually be valuable. I saw a player with potential this year, but definitely not a player who put it all together. And that was playing against a much lower level of competition than he’ll encounter in the NBA.
By worldblee on 04.12.19 10:07am
Are there NBA teams where he would get significant playing time in Year 1?
If not, is it better to stay and play a lot one more year, or is the coaching so much better in the pros that it will be better for his development to go pro even if he doesn’t play much? I remember thinking that Robin Lopez should have stayed one more year on the Farm as The Guy, but going pro at the same time as his brother didn’t seem to hurt his career.
By brandtjl1 on 04.12.19 10:18am
In the NBA
He’ll be working full-time with an NBA staff, and if he needs playing experience, they’ll send him to the G League where he can play in ~50 games. That’s compared to ~30 games in college, where he has to focus on schoolwork as well. So it’s definitely better for his development to get into the NBA. The main benefit to staying in college would be raising his draft stock and getting a bigger contract. If he’s a first-round lock, the best move for him would be to stay in the draft.
It’s also way too early to worry about this. As mentioned in the article, he can still withdraw and come back. Declaring is he smart move for him even if he’s not planning on staying in the draft, so he can participate in workouts and get some experience with the draft process.
By JYTLM on 04.14.19 1:42pm
Plus you get paid
By atg_commish on 04.22.19 3:11pm
Will he really make any progress at Stanford?
Sure, he will probably not get much playing time, but as JYTLM says, he’ll be practicing with NBA players, get coaching from NBA staff, and have summer ball options.
Contrast that to what he’ll do at Stanford. I don’t think Haase is doing anything to make KZ a better player. I don’t see Haase running an offense that creates space for KZ or consistently puts KZ in a position to score. Part of that may be a result of Stanford’s abysmal three point shooting, but then that falls on Haase to. Why is Cormac Ryan playing so many minutes when he can’t hit his shots? Ryan shot 33% for the year and he started. Ridiculous.
I would love to see KZ come back if I thought Stanford could actually help him. I don’t think it can. I think playing another year under Haase is going to hurt KZ more than it will help him.
By Blackjoy on 04.15.19 10:16am
He isn't ready.
I have watched KZ for the past two seasons. He has enormous potential. However, he isn’t NBA ready. KZ would benefit from another year at Stanford. The future team will have a true point guard, which should assist in creating better scoring opportunities for KZ and his teammates. Last season’s team was very young. With experience, and new additions, the team could be very good for the 19-20 season.
By Jpardell on 04.16.19 10:34am
sorry dude
looks like a second rounder to me. can still make a team if he finds the right gig.
By atg_commish on 04.22.19 3:10pm
He's going early people
NBA Draft.net has him going at 16 to Orlando. Good decision by him — get paid.
By atg_commish on 04.27.19 4:46pm