Scouting Report: Mouhammadou Jaiteh, C, France
Tap here to get an in-depth look at the top prospects in this year's draft class leading up to the NBA draft, which takes place on June 25 in Brooklyn.
Make the right pick, Einstein.
Mouhammadou Einstein Jaiteh is back on the cusp of the first round of the NBA draft. A hot name as far back as 2013, the French big man saw his stock tumble after a poor performance at the 2013 Nike Hoop Summit. He withdrew from the draft in hopes of rehabilitating his value, and two years later, at age 20, now may be his best chance to sneak into the top-30. Even after two additional years of seasoning in the top French league, Jaiteh is probably a draft-and-stash candidate, but the NBA body and experience against other top bigs may have NBA teams thinking a more expedited timeline.
Relevant Background
| Position | DraftExpress Rank | ESPN Rank | Height w/ Shoes | Weight |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| C | 39 | 41 | 6' 10.5" | 247 |
| Wingspan | Standing Reach | Max Vertical (in.) | Hand Length (in.) | Body Fat % |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 7' 3.25" | 9' 2.5" | 31.5 | 9.0 | 9.9% |
| France Stats | PPG | RPG | BPG | FG% | FT% |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2014-15 | 10.5 | 6.2 | 0.5 | 59.9% | 59.0% |
| 2013-14 | 5.6 | 4.0 | 0.7 | 50.2% | 66.3% |
Scouting Report
Strengths: Just short of 7-feet tall, Jaiteh impresses with every measurement, and he's one of the largest overall prospects in the draft. He uses that body well to dominate the glass, and while he doesn't block shots with much frequency, he has experience playing against NBA-caliber big men internationally and in camps as a teenager. Offensively, teams wouldn't be asking him to do too much, but he has a soft touch around the rim and has flashed a capable mid-range jumper. A strong showing at the combine - he was aggressive and showed improved decision-making - suggest the step forward he's taken since adjusting to the French A league (he dominated the B league in 2012-13) is a harbinger of further potential.
Weaknesses: It's tough to draft a potential backup center based on size and length and not expect above-average defense, but that may be the case with Jaiteh. He's not a shot-blocker and is far from a lock-down man-defender, but size goes a long way on that end of the floor, even if it may take some development time to properly harness. He'll need to learn to employ the principal of verticality, as his athleticism is somewhere south of elite.
Highlight Reel
What to Expect on Draft Day
It's unlikely that a team is looking at the still-somewhat raw near-7-footer and seeing a contributor for 2015-16. Late in the first round, he represents a possible play for teams looking to stash a pick overseas - and off their books - for a while, especially those teams with multiple picks. Once the second round rolls around, Jaiteh becomes a more intriguing medium-term prospect, as his body should allow him to carve out a role as a backup center, outside of the confines of the first-round rookie wage scale.