Scouting Report: Joel Embiid, C, Kansas
The most intriguing player in the entire draft was set to be the first to hear his name called out June 26 when the Cleveland Cavaliers stepped to the podium to make the No. 1 pick. And then Joel Embiid broke his foot, requiring surgery that could keep him out for up to six months, and now nobody has a clear handle on what will happen for the 20-year-old Cameroon native on draft night. He remains the unquestioned top name in terms of ultimate upside, but concerns about the health of his back and now foot - and the subsequent deferral of his impact - could see him slide outside of the top-five altogether.
Background
| Position | DX Rank | ESPN Rank | Height w/ Shoes | Weight (lbs.) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| C | 2 | 2 | 7' 1" | n/a |
| Wing | Vert (in.) | Standing Reach | Hand Length (in.) | Agility (sec.) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 7' 5.75" | n/a | 9' 5.5" | n/a | n/a |
| NCAA Stats | PPG | RPG | APG | FG% | BPG |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2013-14 | 11.2 | 8.1 | 1.4 | 62.6% | 2.6 |
Scouting Report
Strengths: All you really need to know is that Embiid has been compared to Hakeem Olajuwon and there were very few basketball insiders who took issue with that. He's incredibly long and athletic, he's ready to make a difference as a rebounder and a shot-blocker, and his offensive game - mid-range shooting, post moves and especially passing - is far beyond what you'd expect for a player who picked up the game three years ago.
Weaknesses: The fact that he's new to the game means his path to productivity in the NBA is expected to be a little longer than some of the other top prospects. Otherwise, the concerns are the health of his back, as he missed the Jayhawks' final six games and his camp has kept his medical information close to the chest. Teams are also concerned about the health of his foot, given the spotty track record of big men with feet issues.
Highlight Reel
What to Expect on Draft Day
Exactly where Embiid lands is tough to predict because teams aren't going to be forthcoming about how his latest injury plays into their risk-reward evaluation. The talent and upside are such that there's almost no way he slides out of the top-10 and may still be a top-five pick, but speculating as to where exactly he goes would simply be guesswork. The Sixers, for example, have his medical records and are said to be interested at No. 3, while the Bucks have ruled him out entirely at No. 2. Whoever selects him could very well end up with the best player from this draft class and a generational talent, assuming his body cooperates.