Strengths: The biggest strength Alabi has going for him are his physical tools … 7’1, long and athletic, Alabi is the ideal protector of the rim that teams dream of having in regards to clogging the lane and preventing penetration … Unlike most 7-footers, Alabi can adjust, position himself, use his immense wingspan and jump better than most centers his size … These physical tools make him an excellent shot blocker on and off the ball, and a likely candidate for offensive tips and putbacks off misses … He only averages around 2.3 fouls per game, a solid indicator that he positions himself correctly in regards to contesting shots … Offensively he is capable of being productive, with the ability to hit the over the shoulder shot in the post, while taking advantage of his height and length … He has the ability to hit medium to short range jump shots when facing up around the foul line extended, and if this aspect of his game can develop further, it will be a big asset to a team in that it will force his defender away from from the basket, opening things up underneath … (his 79% from the ft line is a good indicator that his short range jumper can become more consistent) … He can get up and down the floor more quickly than most players his size and has an active motor …

Weaknesses: Alabi  will have to bulk up, as GMs and coaches worry after seeing an unproductive rookie year from #2 pick Hasheem Thabeet … Similar recent African first round centers such as Saer Sene and Thabeet remain on NBA team’s minds … Foot speed and reaction time are not at a high level … Offensively, he does not have a diverse range of moves in the post, and relies too much on his height and length, which he won’t be able to use as much against taller and stronger defenders at the next level … He lacks the ability to put the ball on the floor and take his man off the dribble and his post moves appear mechanical … Also not the most efficient passer out of the post … He really struggles on the defensive glass for his size, averaging less than 4 defensive rebounds a game for likely the biggest guy on the floor … He seems to get too comfortable as just a protector of the basket, and with the defensive 3 second rule in the NBA, he won’t be able to just sit in front of the rim … Will struggle against quicker and more agile centers … Did not put up the shot blocking numbers that he appeared capable of despite having good agility is not quick off his feet …

Overall: There’s no arguing that he has the potential to become a defensive centerpiece for a team that lacks a presence in the paint… He is capable of scoring on basic post moves right now, but this part of his game will be the toughest in terms of translating to success at the next level … Like most 7-footers, he is a project and will be a backup for his first few years until his game expands on the offensive end, and until he adjusts to guarding bigger and stronger players on the defensive end … While he has a positive track record off the court, there is some debate whether his age is 100% correct due to the fact that he’s from Nigeria: facially he appears older. But most likely it won’t be a factor in his draft status … Some team in need of a shot blocker who has time to develop this mature, hard working, high character, and high energy center should take a chance on him somewhere in the late-first to early-second round …

Jonathan Wasserman 5/11/10

Strengths: Has really come a long way in a short time … Intriguing bigman with great size and developing skills … Has soft touch on his shot and has shown excellent improvement in his offensive game … Comfortable shooting within 10 feet of the basket and can hit jumpers (out to 10-15 feet) as well as hook shots … Excellent agility for a player his size … A fluid athlete who gets up and down the floor well … Has a chance to be very good if he continues to work hard and improve … Great footwork for a center … His post skills are showing a lot of improvement and his confidence is growing … Aggressive attacking the basket and get a lot of dunks due to his length, and explosiveness … Good hands, which is unusual for African born players … Has a massive wingspan and a tremendous basketball body … Has worked hard in the weight room and gained a great deal of strength. appears as though he can get a lot stronger too … Length makes him a dominant defensive presence in the paint … An effective shot blocker who’s numbers (2.1 bpg in 22 mpg) can improve with more playing time … Quality free throw shooter for a big man at 68%, which should improve …

Weaknesses: Still a work in progress and has a ways to go before he figures out all that he’s capable of … Appears to struggle against 7-footers. Also can be thrown off some by physical players … Gets himself in trouble at times by trying to do too much offensively, particularly putting the ball on the deck and trying to make a move to the basket … At times looks awkward and his lack of a "feel" for the game and experience is apparent … Still working to the point where making plays with the ball (passing, catching, reacting) becomes second nature … Does not show very good passing ability yet nor vision … Gets the ball stolen away when he doesn’t keep the ball high … Had a stress fracture in his foot as a freshman so there could be some question marks regarding his health, although he played his entire (redshirt) freshman season injury free … He’s already close to the age of a senior despite being just a sophomore, so detractors will point to that as a negative. Also being African will cause some to question his listed age, but by all accounts, it is correct …
Notes: Scouts feel he has a great chance to be a better pro than #2 pick in 2009 Hasheem Thabeet … Could be primed for a breakout sophomore season in 2009-10 … Hasheem Thabeet’s potential struggles in the NBA could adversely affect his draft stock …

Aran Smith 9/23/09

Weaknesses: Alabi is a project. His offensive game is very limited and he does not have much confidence with the ball in his hands. He also does not have a great shooting touch outside of 5-7 feet from the basket. Solomon seems to struggle banging in the paint as well, since his frame is so slight. He needs to add at least 30 pounds of bulk and continue to work on his post game.

Joshua Motenko – 8/3/2006

SEASON	TEAM	MIN	PTS	REB	AST	TO	A/T	STL	BLK	PF	FG%	FT%	3P%	PPS
2008-09	FSU	10.3	3.9	2.2	0	1.2	0	0.1	1.2	2	0.484	0.556	0	1.13
2008-09	FSU	22.3	8.4	5.6	0.3	1.6	0.21	0.5	2.1	1.9	0.54	0.68	0	1.31
2009-10	FSU	25.6	11.7	6.2	0.5	1.9	0.26	0.6	2.3	2.3	0.534	0.794	0	1.5
PerGame		22.3	9.3	5.5	0.4	1.7	0.2	0.5	2.1	2.1	0.534	0.745	0	1.39

SEASON	TEAM	GP	MIN	FG	FGA	FTM	FTA	3PM	3PA	PTS	OFF	DEF	TOT	AST	TO	STL	BLK	PF
2007-08	FSU	9	93	15	31	5	9	0	0	35	8	12	20	0	11	1	11	18
2008-09	FSU	35	779	122	226	51	75	0	1	295	75	122	197	12	56	18	73	65
2009-10	FSU	32	820	133	249	108	136	0	0	374	79	119	198	16	61	20	75	75
Totals		76	1692	270	506	164	220	0	1	704	162	253	415	28	128	39	159	158