Scouting Report: Jusuf Nurkic, C, Bosnia
Possibly the biggest player in the entire draft, Bosnian behemoth Jusuf Nurkic is largely an unknown, having not participated in the pre-draft combine or individual team workouts as he continues to play club ball in Croatia. The potential, however, in a draft devoid of true bigs, and the ability to stash him in Europe for a year or two while he develops, off of a team's salary books, makes him enticing later in the first round.
Background
| Position | DX Rank | ESPN Rank | Height w/o Shoes | Weight (lbs.) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| C | 11 | 20 | 6' 10" (2013) | 280 (2013) |
| Wing | Vert (in.) | Standing Reach | Hand Length (in.) | Agility (sec.) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 7' 2" (2013) | n/a | 9' 1.5" (2013) | n/a | n/a |
Scouting Report
Strengths: He's huge and he has a soft touch around the rim, which is pretty much all most teams will need to know to take a risk. He's just 19, and it's easy to assume he'll develop a more refined game as he ages. Even at present, though, his production has been incredible, even considering the league - he averages 33 points, 14 rebounds, 4.1 steals and 1.9 blocks per-40 minutes.
Weaknesses: The unknown is sometimes a strength and sometimes a weakness, but in Nurkic's case word on his weaknesses has gotten out. Namely, he's not in great shape and he's not a great athlete, meaning at present he's basically just a big body that's difficult to get the most out of. Those per-40 numbers are enticing, sure, but he manages just 16 minutes a game, so the totals pale. Basically, he's a project, as you'd expect with a huge international 19-year-old.
Highlight Reel
What to Expect on Draft Day
Nurkic will almost certainly hear his name called in the first round, but his upside in the draft is likely limited to teams who don't need immediate help or have multiple picks, allowing them to roll the dice on a Euro-stash. The Orlando Magic at No. 12, for example, may figure he's a nice risk as their second lottery pick, and probably represent his ceiling. Teams that don't see his lumbering game translating well to the NBA may have him as low as the end of the first round.