NBA Comparison: Leon Powe

Strengths: Strong, athletic big man who makes an impact on both ends … Huge wingspan (7’4”) and tremendous leaping ability allow him to overpower bigger defenders in the post … Great explosiveness on offense … Excellent offensive and defensive rebounder … Gets numerous second-chance opportunities with his athleticism and offensive rebounding, leading to easy put-backs… An excellent alley-oop target, Mbakwe is always a threat to make momentum-changing, highlight-reel dunks … Solid shot blocker thanks to his athleticism and wingspan … Avoided fouling out his entire senior year … Good at slipping inside and getting good position for easy dunks … As a sixth-year senior, Mbakwe is one of the most experienced players in the draft…Career 57% shooter … Big Ten rebounding leader as a junior and senior … Named second-team All-Big Ten by media as a senior …
 
Weaknesses: At 24 years old, Mbakwe is one of the oldest players in the draft, which limits his potential…Very uncomfortable shooting jumpers, and his range doesn’t expand beyond 8-10 feet … After an ACL tear seven games into the 2011-1012 season, Mbakwe lost a step when he returned: his PPG dropped 3.9 and his RPG dropped 1.8 from his junior to senior year … Raw offensively, he has few well-developed post moves and relies mainly on his athleticism to get baskets … A bit undersized for a big man … Has a tendency to disappear, as he took 5 or fewer shots in 14 games his senior year … His health causes some concerns after multiple knee surgeries and problems … Has had multiple run-ins with the law (accused of assault in 2009, violated restraining order in 2011, suspended for DUI in 2012)…
 
Overall: Mbakwe is an explosive, high-energy player who can turn offensive rebounds into put-backs and alter shots and rebound defensively, but his age, health, and legal trouble will likely drop him to the mid second round area …
 
Notes: Transferred from Marquette after his freshman year … Played at Miami-Dade JUCO his sophomore year… Sixth-year senior missed most of 2011-2012 due to ACL tear … Measured 6’8.5 (in shoes) 237 lbs, with a 7’4 wingspan at the 2011 Amare Stoudemire Skills Academy.

Jacob Stallard 4/18/13