Yannick Nzosa

NBA DRAFT SCOUTING REPORT

POSITION: CFROM: DR CongoHT: 6-11WT: NA
BORN: 11/15/03YEAR: 03WING: NAREACH: NA

Draft Notes

Yannick Nzosa is an elite level NBA draft prospect who projects as a likely lottery pick in 2022. The center from the DR Congo is super mobile, quick and coordinated athlete who is bursting with upside potential.

At 6-11 with good length he’s got the size to defend in the paint and has great instincts and timing as a shot blocker. His quickness off his feet is really special and is overall athleticism shows up in plays around the rim (or above the rim) and in his ability to defend guards on the perimeter. He projects as an ultra-switchable big at the next level.

He also has great hands and deflects a lot of passes. He’s super active in the passing lanes and a great team defender.

He can at times be a bit wild on defense and needs to play with better discipline. His game is young and sometimes it shows. But he does do a nice job of using both hands to block shots (he’s a lefty) to avoid fouling.

Nzosa is a decent passer out of the post and from the top of the key. He’s not yet a very good ball handler but he shows some promising traits, has good hands and plays with his head up. He can face up and drive the ball but is very limited to his left hand right now.

Has the beginnings of a mid range jump shot and is likely to develop into a decent shooter over time but at this point it’s a weapon of last resort and isn’t a major part of his game.

He needs to develop his strength and grow into his body. He can be a bit clumsy and his coordination is still developing but he does have elite straight line speed for a player his size and very high level athletic tools.

Needs to develop his right hand and overall offensive game.


Comparisons

  • a far more advanced Clint Capela

Draft Projection

lottery pick in the 2022 NBA Draft

Videos


2022 Centers

  1. Chet Holmgren – 7-0 – Gonzaga
  2. Jalen Duren – 6-10 – Memphis
  3. Mark Williams – 7-0 – Duke
  4. Christian Koloko – 7-1 – Arizona (Cameroon)
  5. Walker Kessler – 6-11 – Auburn 
  6. Kenneth Lofton Jr. – 6-7 – LA Tech
  7. Ismael Kamagate – 6-11 – France
  8. Jaylin Williams – 6-10 – Arkansas
  9. Khalifa Diop – 6-11 – Senegal 
  10. Ibou Dianko Badji – 7-1 – Senegal
  11. Kofi Cockburn – 7-0 – Illinois (Jamaica)
  12. Orlando Robinson – 7-0 – Fresno State
  13. Trevion Williams – 6-10 – Purdue
  14. Yannick Nzosa – 6-11 – DR Congo
  15. Kai Sotto – 7-2 – Philippines
  16. David McCormack – 6-10 – Kansas