Atlanta Hawks Draft Analytics: Player Analysis, Raw Volume Stats, and the Onsi Saleh Draft Strategy

<a target="_blank" href="I wanted to analyze our 2 first-round picks and consider the what-ifs, especially for pick #23. TLDR at the bottom. Yes, I used AI to help with this post. Don't @ me. Christian Koloko AKA We Already Have A 7-footer at Home AKA Height Isn't Everything: The Pure Defensive SplitThe Biometrics & Combine Data: Measured at a legitimate 6’11” barefoot, carrying a dense 230 lbs frame anchored by an elite 7’5” wingspan and a 9’2.5” standing reach.The Quantitative Profile:Rim Protection: Elite 6.8% Block Percentage (BLK%), translating to 2.6 blocks per 36 minutes (and 43 total blocks in limited floor time).The Efficiency Crater: A disastrous 45.3% True Shooting Percentage (TS%) driven by a horrific 41.9% Field Goal Percentage (FG%), converting only 31 of 74 total shots inside the restricted area.The Ball Security Nightmare: A 14.2% Turnover Percentage (TO%) counterbalancing a microscopic 11.2% Usage Rate (USG%).The Translation: Outperforming expectations on advanced plus-minus models (DARKO/DRIP), Koloko leverages his exceptional length to anchor standard drop coverage. However, his hands remain a structural liability; he lacks the touch to convert short-roll floaters or contested put-backs, capping him as a situational 12-minute depth big.2. ⚡ The 2026 Rookie Matrix: Raw Numbers & PhysicalityKingston Flemings (PG, #8 Pick):The Biometrics & Combine Data: Standard combine measurements of 6’3” barefoot, a lean 182 lbs, a modest 6’3.5” wingspan, and an explosive 39.5-inch max vertical leap. His wingspan is below-average for lottery guards, but his vertical pop places him in the 90th percentile of elite point guards.The Math: Post-freshman metrics show an elite 32.6% Assist Percentage (AST%) (dispatching 182 total assists) and a sticky 3.0% Steal Rate (STL%) (58 total steals). The paradox? A lethal 38.7% 3PT% but on a tiny 22.7% 3-Point Attempt Rate (3PAR), making only 41 of 106 total 3-pointers in 37 games. This is offset by an elite 84.5% Free Throw Percentage (FT%) (114 of 135 total free throws).The Translation: Extreme open-floor velocity and a relentless downhill attack (123 of his 349 total shots occurred directly at the rim, converting at 57.0%). The concern is an unorthodox, slow catapult release that restricts his pull-up game. His lack of length means he must rely on pure twitch and vertical explosion to finish over length in the half-court.Zuby Ejiofor (F/C, #23 Pick):The Biometrics & Combine Data: Measured at an undersized 6’7.5” barefoot (listed 6'9" in shoes), bulking a physical 240 lbs frame with a sweeping 7’1” wingspan and a 36-inch vertical leap. His 6'7.5" barefoot height places him in the bottom tier of NBA centers, forcing a dangerous "tweener big" label.The Math: A dominant 27.7 Player Efficiency Rating (PER) and 6.6 Win Shares as St. John's defensive anchor, registering 89 total blocks and 38 total steals. He shot a healthy 71.8% from the free-throw line in his senior year, pushing his career collegiate FT% to 70.9% (438-of-618 overall). However, he carries a red-flag 54.4% half-court rim conversion rate (converting only 74 of 136 layups in crowd settings).The Translation: High-motor, physical rim protector with switchable footwork. He remains an offensive liability with an unproven jumper, hitting just 14 of 46 total 3-pointers (30.5%), offering zero baseline floor spacing. Because he lacks elite center height, his 54.4% rim conversion rate risks sliding further against NBA verticality.3. 📉 Zaccharie Risacher: The No. 1 Pick Reality CheckBiometrics & Combine Data: Measured at 6’8.5” barefoot and a slender 200 lbs. He possesses a raw 6’9.5” wingspan (a standard 1:1 height-to-wingspan ratio) and a modest 31-inch maximum vertical leap. His 1:1 wingspan and 31-inch vert place him in the bottom 25th percentile of elite starting NBA wings, giving him a very low margin for physical error.The Sophomore Baseline (2025–26): 9.6 PPG / 3.8 RPG / 1.1 APG in 22.4 MPG under Quin Snyder.The Advanced Metric Squeeze:On/Off Impact: A negative -4.0 Net Rating; the half-court offense flowed cleaner with veteran creators.The Spacing & Free-Throw Red Flag: Connected on a solid 36.8% of 3PT attempts (81 of 220 total 3s), but paired with a troubling 64.4% Free Throw Percentage (FT%) (56 of 87 total free throws).Zero Rim Pressure: Less than 18% of half-court field goal attempts are self-created drives to the rim. A bottom-tier ~15.2% USG% tells the story of a highly dependent play-finisher.🧠 The Analytical Debunk: Why He Won't Be the Next GiannisA popular narrative among optimists is that Giannis Antetokounmpo entered the league as a skinny, raw, 6'9", 190-pound wing and transformed into an MVP, meaning Risacher can do the same. This is a false comparison:Biological Impossibility: Giannis was drafted at 18 with open growth plates; he grew two full inches into a 6'11", 242-pound hyper-athlete with a massive 7'3" wingspan. Risacher is entering his third NBA season, and his skeletal frame is physically set at 6'9" with a 6'9.5" wingspan. He can add muscle, but he will never possess point-center size or elite length.The Athleticism Gap: Even when skinny, Giannis possessed elite physical burst and an absurd 40-inch vertical leap. Risacher is fluid and coordinated, but completely lacks that top-tier functional vertical explosion or lateral pop.On-Ball Playmaking Roots: Early-career Giannis posted a 15%–20% AST% while playing point guard for Milwaukee. Risacher’s creation profile is completely dependent on others, showing no signs of natural floor-general gravity.🏋️ The Sports Science Equation: Risacher's Plyometric Explosive CeilingCan the Hawks fix his physical limitations through targeted off-season training? If Risacher commits to elite plyometric training, Olympic lifting, and eccentric deceleration drilling, he can realistically add 3 to 4 inches to his vertical leap. This would shift his 31-inch max vertical to a respectable 34 or 35 inches.The Realistic Upside: This training will unlock critical on-court gains: it will improve his "second-jump pop" to elevate defensive rebounding rates, enhance his eccentric braking strength to stop-and-pop on downhill midrange drives, and allow him to comfortably finish transition looks above the rim.The Hard Biological Ceiling: Plyometrics cannot rewrite genetic fiber makeup or anatomical length. Training cannot grant him an elite, hip-sinking first step to blow past defenders in pure isolation, nor can it expand his 6'9.5" wingspan.The Projected Improvements Ceiling: This moves his optimal trajectory away from a dependent utility piece and directly into the Prime Gordon Hayward Track (Elite Tier 2 Secondary Option). He will comfortably shoot over contests and absorb contact more efficiently, but he remains locked out of the Tier 1 franchise engine tier.❌ Why He Won't Become a Top-Tier Player (The 90% Certainty Case)The Creation Ceiling: NBA superstars universally possess elite on-ball self-creation. Risacher lacks the low, tight handle and elite first-step to beat high-level perimeter defenders in pure isolation.Quin Snyder’s System Trap: Snyder’s "Blender" offense and "5 Slot" spatial layout require wings to be quick-decision floor-spacers. With ball-handling concentrated heavily in primary engines like Jalen Johnson and Kingston Flemings, Risacher is locked into a strict 3-and-D role with a short leash, leading to quick benchings during playoff pushes.🚨 The 2024 Draft Retrospective BlunderThe Hawks made the classic mistake of drafting for a temporary roster "fit" rather than taking the highest available ceiling. Two years later, re-draft models show the absolute cost of passing on three specific prospects:Stephon Castle (Actual #4): The undisputed No. 1 overall pick in re-drafts: an elite, high-IQ, multi-positional defensive processor and dynamic playmaker. Biometrics: 6'5.5" barefoot, 215 lbs, 6'9" wingspan.Alex Sarr (Actual #2): A high-ceiling, modern frontcourt star with defensive versatility who completely outplayed Risacher head-to-head. Biometrics: 7'0" barefoot, 224 lbs, 7'4.25" wingspan.Donovan Clingan (Actual #7): A top-tier, dominant rim-protector. Passing on his elite frame forced the Hawks to reach for Zuby Ejiofor two years later to solve the exact same interior grit issues. Biometrics: 7'2" barefoot, 282 lbs, 7'7" wingspan.💼 Executive Spotlight: Did Onsi Saleh Take BPA or Draft for Fit?Unlike the 2024 front office debacle with Risacher, President of Basketball Operations Onsi Saleh strictly adhered to a "Best Player Available" (BPA) philosophy, completely avoiding the trap of drafting for arbitrary roster fit. Saleh focused on high-motor, high-IQ players who can execute Quin Snyder’s aggressive defensive identity.⚖️ The #23 Pick Pivot: Who Was Left on the Board?While Saleh targeted Ejiofor's college production, a deep dive into the players left on the board at No. 23 exposes huge developmental trade-offs and massive alternative options:Aday Mara (Center, Lottery/Alternative Track):The Biometrics & Combine Data: Staggering, historic dimensions. Measured a towering 7’3.00” barefoot, 259.8 lbs, featuring a 7’6.00” wingspan and a monumental 9’9.00” standing reach (tied for 2nd longest in combine history). Max vertical sits at a heavily ground-bound 28.0 inches (24.0-inch no-step).The Analytics: A fascinating, high-post playmaking engine. Mara logged an elite 17.0% to 19.0% Assist Percentage (AST%) (2.4 APG in just 23.4 minutes) with a positive 1.1 A/TO ratio. Defensively, he utilized his reach to record a historic 12.7% to 13.0% Block Percentage (2.6 BPG), leading the nation in Defensive Box Plus-Minus (DBPM). Finished inside with an elite 63.1% True Shooting Percentage (TS%), hitting 76 total dunks.The Red Flags: Possesses a broken late-game free throw profile at 56.4% FT%, inducing immediate "Hack-a-Mara" liabilities. His lateral feet are extremely slow and mechanical, making him entirely unplayable when forced to switch out of deep drop coverage against modern five-out shooting schemes. Furthermore, despite his 7'3" frame, his lack of a lower base driven by functional core strength weaknesses resulted in a poor 14.5% to 15.5% Total Rebounding Percentage (TRB%), leaving him highly prone to low-post displacement. And this was against college opponents; he won't magically do better against grown men in the NBA. The NBA Translation: A specialized, high-post offensive hub and massive low-frequency rim erase wall, heavily compromised by perimeter speed and structural injury/durability risks.Jayden Quaintance (Center, Drafted #20 by Spurs - Missed Board Opportunity):The Biometrics & Combine Data: A powerhouse physical phenom at 6’9.0” barefoot, 253.4 lbs, featuring a towering 7’5.25” wingspan, a 9’1.0” standing reach, and massive 11.25-inch hands (upper 95th percentile). He did not run athletic testing at the combine due to recovering from a torn ACL/meniscus, followed by persistent knee swelling that limited his sophomore run.The Analytics: The ultimate structural boom-or-bust prospect. He posted a historic defensive playmaking ceiling, recording a monumental 9.8% Block Percentage (63 total blocks) and an active 2.2% Steal Percentage at Arizona State, carrying an elite 5.4 DBPM. He cleared the boards with an 11.8% Offensive Rebound Percentage and an 18.4% Defensive Rebound Percentage.The Red Flags: Catastrophic shooting mechanics. He posted a broken 45.2% FT% as a freshman and plummeted to a brutal 30.8% FT% (4-of-13) over a tiny 4-game sample during his injury-plagued sophomore stint at Kentucky. Combined with a staggering 18.9% to 24.4% Turnover Percentage (TO%), his offensive upside is heavily constrained. The NBA Translation: An elite, high-ceiling defensive anchor (Robert Williams III track). He provides generational length and shot erasure but acts as an extreme offensive liability who can be ruthlessly targeted with late-game intentional fouling.Chris Cenac Jr. (F/C, Slid to #27 - Celtics):The Biometrics & Combine Data: Prototypical modern frontcourt length, measuring at 6'10.25” barefoot, 240 lbs, with a sweeping 7'5” wingspan and a 9-foot standing reach.The Analytics: Handled a modest 16.8 PER with 9.5 PPG / 7.9 RPG. Flashed pick-and-pop gravity with a 31.3% 3-Point Attempt Rate (30-of-90 total 3s) and a stellar 18.0% Total Rebounding Percentage (TRB%) within Houston's demanding box-out ecosystem.The Red Flags: Suffers from a clear lack of interior aggression and a slow defensive processing speed, managing a tiny 2.6% Block Percentage (only 19 total blocks) with a 7'5" wingspan. He frequently settles for perimeter jumpers, driving an underwhelming 48.5% FG% and a shaky 62.1% FT%.The NBA Translation: An elite-length stretch-five project who possesses a high motor for rebounding but completely lacks a physical motor for interior rim execution.Tarris Reed Jr. (Center, Slid to #26 - Spurs):The Biometrics & Combine Data: A bruising low-post pivot measuring 6’9.75” barefoot, an unmovable 263.3 lbs, anchored by a massive 7’4” wingspan and a 9’2” standing reach. Frame is purely ground-bound.The Analytics: An absolute interior force with a 21.2 PER, an elite 18.2% TRB%, and a commanding 24.5% DRB%. Shot a highly efficient 60.7% FG% (224-of-369) and converted 60.0% of his post-up looks. Registered a strong 7.4% Block Percentage (70 total blocks). His career FT% sits at 58.2% (bumping to 61.7% as a senior).The Red Flags: A complete spacing black hole (0.0% 3PAR) and a severe defensive liability on perimeter pick-and-roll switches due to heavy feet. Entering the NBA as a 22.7-year-old rookie severely caps his future development window.The NBA Translation: A throwback, physically punishing low-post anchor and possession-winning machine (Mitchell Robinson/Andre Drummond track) who compromises team defensive switching versatility.Cam Carr (Wing, Slid to #24 - Lakers):The Biometrics & Combine Data: 6'5" barefoot, 175 lbs, 6'8" wingspan.The Analytics: A high-volume perimeter sniper with an astonishing 61.4% 3PAR, backed by a stellar 81.2% FT%. However, he carries a microscopic 5.4% TRB% and a low 14.8 PER.The NBA Translation: A pure, fragile floor-spacer who offers zero paint protection or interior presence.⚖️ Should the Hawks Have Drafted Differently at #23?All of the players available at #23 had red flags. Mara: too slow laterally, 56.4% FT %, low 14.5-15.5 TRB% for a guy his size.Quaintance: 45.2% FT % as a freshman, 30.8% FT in 4 games as a sophomore, major injury concerns, high 18.9% to 24.4% TO%. Reed: too slow laterally, literally doesn't shoot 3s, 58.2% collegiate FT %, 61.7% FT % senior year, 22.7 years old. Cenac Jr: a miniscule 2.6% Block Percentage (only 19 total blocks) for a 6'10, 240lb guy with a 7'5" wingspan; settles for perimeter jumpers, 48.5% FG% and 62.1% FT%. You could argue that he was trying to be a stretch 5 (30-for-90 on 3s), but you'd lose that argument: At the Rim (Restricted Area): 58 attempts (20.8% of his total shot volume), The Non-Restricted Paint (Hooks/Floaters): 67 attempts (24.0% of his shot volume). The Mid-Range / Long 2s (Jumpers): 64 attempts (22.9% of his shot volume). Beyond the Arc (3-Pointers): 90 attempts (32.3% of his shot volume). This was across his entire 37-game freshman season at Houston. The guy doesn't want to go to the rim to get points for whatever reason. Carr: Yeah, we're not drafting another wing. Knowing how the Hawks love switchability on defense, would you have taken any of these other guys? I understand why Onsi took Zuby as opposed to any of these other guys: switchability, 27.7 PER, elite defensive playmaking (6.8% BLK% / 2.3% STL%), gritty defensive player who shot 71.8% from the line his senior year and 70.9% for his collegiate career, 30.4% on 3s his senior year (14-of-46) and 28.4% for his career on low volume, and a respectable 59.8% TS %. If he could develop a 3-pt shot like OO, he would help his cause tremendously.The more I look at the other guys who were available at #23, the less I like any of them and the more I'm convinced that Zuby was the best option for us; not the best player ever, but probably the BPA for our situation." title="Atlanta Hawks Draft Analytics: Player Analysis, Raw Volume Stats, and the Onsi Saleh Draft Strategy">full image</a> <strong> - Repost: Atlanta Hawks Draft Analytics: Player Analysis, Raw Volume Stats, and the Onsi Saleh Draft Strategy</strong> (<i>from Reddit.com, Atlanta Hawks Draft Analytics: Player Analysis, Raw Volume Stats, and the Onsi Saleh Draft Strategy</i>) <br><blockquote> I wanted to analyze our 2 first-round picks and consider the what-ifs, especially for pick #23. TLDR at the bottom. Yes, I used AI to help with this post. Don't @ me. Christian Koloko AKA We Already Have A 7-footer at Home AKA Height Isn't Everything: The Pure Defensive SplitThe Biometrics & Combine Data: Measured at a legitimate 6’11” barefoot, carrying a dense 230 lbs frame anchored by an elite 7’5” wingspan and a 9’2.5” standing reach.The Quantitative Profile:Rim Protection: Elite 6.8% Block Percentage (BLK%), translating to 2.6 blocks per 36 minutes (and 43 total blocks in limited floor time).The Efficiency Crater: A disastrous 45.3% True Shooting Percentage (TS%) driven by a horrific 41.9% Field Goal Percentage (FG%), converting only 31 of 74 total shots inside the restricted area.The Ball Security Nightmare: A 14.2% Turnover Percentage (TO%) counterbalancing a microscopic 11.2% Usage Rate (USG%).The Translation: Outperforming expectations on advanced plus-minus models (DARKO/DRIP), Koloko leverages his exceptional length to anchor standard drop coverage. However, his hands remain a structural liability; he lacks the touch to convert short-roll floaters or contested put-backs, capping him as a situational 12-minute depth big.2. ⚡ The 2026 Rookie Matrix: Raw Numbers & PhysicalityKingston Flemings (PG, #8 Pick):The Biometrics & Combine Data: Standard combine measurements of 6’3” barefoot, a lean 182 lbs, a modest 6’3.5” wingspan, and an explosive 39.5-inch max vertical leap. His wingspan is below-average for lottery guards, but his vertical pop places him in the 90th percentile of elite point guards.The Math: Post-freshman metrics show an elite 32.6% Assist Percentage (AST%) (dispatching 182 total assists) and a sticky 3.0% Steal Rate (STL%) (58 total steals). The paradox? A lethal 38.7% 3PT% but on a tiny 22.7% 3-Point Attempt Rate (3PAR), making only 41 of 106 total 3-pointers in 37 games. This is offset by an elite 84.5% Free Throw Percentage (FT%) (114 of 135 total free throws).The Translation: Extreme open-floor velocity and a relentless downhill attack (123 of his 349 total shots occurred directly at the rim, converting at 57.0%). The concern is an unorthodox, slow catapult release that restricts his pull-up game. His lack of length means he must rely on pure twitch and vertical explosion to finish over length in the half-court.Zuby Ejiofor (F/C, #23 Pick):The Biometrics & Combine Data: Measured at an undersized 6’7.5” barefoot (listed 6'9" in shoes), bulking a physical 240 lbs frame with a sweeping 7’1” wingspan and a 36-inch vertical leap. His 6'7.5" barefoot height places him in the bottom tier of NBA centers, forcing a dangerous "tweener big" label.The Math: A dominant 27.7 Player Efficiency Rating (PER) and 6.6 Win Shares as St. John's defensive anchor, registering 89 total blocks and 38 total steals. He shot a healthy 71.8% from the free-throw line in his senior year, pushing his career collegiate FT% to 70.9% (438-of-618 overall). However, he carries a red-flag 54.4% half-court rim conversion rate (converting only 74 of 136 layups in crowd settings).The Translation: High-motor, physical rim protector with switchable footwork. He remains an offensive liability with an unproven jumper, hitting just 14 of 46 total 3-pointers (30.5%), offering zero baseline floor spacing. Because he lacks elite center height, his 54.4% rim conversion rate risks sliding further against NBA verticality.3. 📉 Zaccharie Risacher: The No. 1 Pick Reality CheckBiometrics & Combine Data: Measured at 6’8.5” barefoot and a slender 200 lbs. He possesses a raw 6’9.5” wingspan (a standard 1:1 height-to-wingspan ratio) and a modest 31-inch maximum vertical leap. His 1:1 wingspan and 31-inch vert place him in the bottom 25th percentile of elite starting NBA wings, giving him a very low margin for physical error.The Sophomore Baseline (2025–26): 9.6 PPG / 3.8 RPG / 1.1 APG in 22.4 MPG under Quin Snyder.The Advanced Metric Squeeze:On/Off Impact: A negative -4.0 Net Rating; the half-court offense flowed cleaner with veteran creators.The Spacing & Free-Throw Red Flag: Connected on a solid 36.8% of 3PT attempts (81 of 220 total 3s), but paired with a troubling 64.4% Free Throw Percentage (FT%) (56 of 87 total free throws).Zero Rim Pressure: Less than 18% of half-court field goal attempts are self-created drives to the rim. A bottom-tier ~15.2% USG% tells the story of a highly dependent play-finisher.🧠 The Analytical Debunk: Why He Won't Be the Next GiannisA popular narrative among optimists is that Giannis Antetokounmpo entered the league as a skinny, raw, 6'9", 190-pound wing and transformed into an MVP, meaning Risacher can do the same. This is a false comparison:Biological Impossibility: Giannis was drafted at 18 with open growth plates; he grew two full inches into a 6'11", 242-pound hyper-athlete with a massive 7'3" wingspan. Risacher is entering his third NBA season, and his skeletal frame is physically set at 6'9" with a 6'9.5" wingspan. He can add muscle, but he will never possess point-center size or elite length.The Athleticism Gap: Even when skinny, Giannis possessed elite physical burst and an absurd 40-inch vertical leap. Risacher is fluid and coordinated, but completely lacks that top-tier functional vertical explosion or lateral pop.On-Ball Playmaking Roots: Early-career Giannis posted a 15%–20% AST% while playing point guard for Milwaukee. Risacher’s creation profile is completely dependent on others, showing no signs of natural floor-general gravity.🏋️ The Sports Science Equation: Risacher's Plyometric Explosive CeilingCan the Hawks fix his physical limitations through targeted off-season training? If Risacher commits to elite plyometric training, Olympic lifting, and eccentric deceleration drilling, he can realistically add 3 to 4 inches to his vertical leap. This would shift his 31-inch max vertical to a respectable 34 or 35 inches.The Realistic Upside: This training will unlock critical on-court gains: it will improve his "second-jump pop" to elevate defensive rebounding rates, enhance his eccentric braking strength to stop-and-pop on downhill midrange drives, and allow him to comfortably finish transition looks above the rim.The Hard Biological Ceiling: Plyometrics cannot rewrite genetic fiber makeup or anatomical length. Training cannot grant him an elite, hip-sinking first step to blow past defenders in pure isolation, nor can it expand his 6'9.5" wingspan.The Projected Improvements Ceiling: This moves his optimal trajectory away from a dependent utility piece and directly into the Prime Gordon Hayward Track (Elite Tier 2 Secondary Option). He will comfortably shoot over contests and absorb contact more efficiently, but he remains locked out of the Tier 1 franchise engine tier.❌ Why He Won't Become a Top-Tier Player (The 90% Certainty Case)The Creation Ceiling: NBA superstars universally possess elite on-ball self-creation. Risacher lacks the low, tight handle and elite first-step to beat high-level perimeter defenders in pure isolation.Quin Snyder’s System Trap: Snyder’s "Blender" offense and "5 Slot" spatial layout require wings to be quick-decision floor-spacers. With ball-handling concentrated heavily in primary engines like Jalen Johnson and Kingston Flemings, Risacher is locked into a strict 3-and-D role with a short leash, leading to quick benchings during playoff pushes.🚨 The 2024 Draft Retrospective BlunderThe Hawks made the classic mistake of drafting for a temporary roster "fit" rather than taking the highest available ceiling. Two years later, re-draft models show the absolute cost of passing on three specific prospects:Stephon Castle (Actual #4): The undisputed No. 1 overall pick in re-drafts: an elite, high-IQ, multi-positional defensive processor and dynamic playmaker. Biometrics: 6'5.5" barefoot, 215 lbs, 6'9" wingspan.Alex Sarr (Actual #2): A high-ceiling, modern frontcourt star with defensive versatility who completely outplayed Risacher head-to-head. Biometrics: 7'0" barefoot, 224 lbs, 7'4.25" wingspan.Donovan Clingan (Actual #7): A top-tier, dominant rim-protector. Passing on his elite frame forced the Hawks to reach for Zuby Ejiofor two years later to solve the exact same interior grit issues. Biometrics: 7'2" barefoot, 282 lbs, 7'7" wingspan.💼 Executive Spotlight: Did Onsi Saleh Take BPA or Draft for Fit?Unlike the 2024 front office debacle with Risacher, President of Basketball Operations Onsi Saleh strictly adhered to a "Best Player Available" (BPA) philosophy, completely avoiding the trap of drafting for arbitrary roster fit. Saleh focused on high-motor, high-IQ players who can execute Quin Snyder’s aggressive defensive identity.⚖️ The #23 Pick Pivot: Who Was Left on the Board?While Saleh targeted Ejiofor's college production, a deep dive into the players left on the board at No. 23 exposes huge developmental trade-offs and massive alternative options:Aday Mara (Center, Lottery/Alternative Track):The Biometrics & Combine Data: Staggering, historic dimensions. Measured a towering 7’3.00” barefoot, 259.8 lbs, featuring a 7’6.00” wingspan and a monumental 9’9.00” standing reach (tied for 2nd longest in combine history). Max vertical sits at a heavily ground-bound 28.0 inches (24.0-inch no-step).The Analytics: A fascinating, high-post playmaking engine. Mara logged an elite 17.0% to 19.0% Assist Percentage (AST%) (2.4 APG in just 23.4 minutes) with a positive 1.1 A/TO ratio. Defensively, he utilized his reach to record a historic 12.7% to 13.0% Block Percentage (2.6 BPG), leading the nation in Defensive Box Plus-Minus (DBPM). Finished inside with an elite 63.1% True Shooting Percentage (TS%), hitting 76 total dunks.The Red Flags: Possesses a broken late-game free throw profile at 56.4% FT%, inducing immediate "Hack-a-Mara" liabilities. His lateral feet are extremely slow and mechanical, making him entirely unplayable when forced to switch out of deep drop coverage against modern five-out shooting schemes. Furthermore, despite his 7'3" frame, his lack of a lower base driven by functional core strength weaknesses resulted in a poor 14.5% to 15.5% Total Rebounding Percentage (TRB%), leaving him highly prone to low-post displacement. And this was against college opponents; he won't magically do better against grown men in the NBA. The NBA Translation: A specialized, high-post offensive hub and massive low-frequency rim erase wall, heavily compromised by perimeter speed and structural injury/durability risks.Jayden Quaintance (Center, Drafted #20 by Spurs - Missed Board Opportunity):The Biometrics & Combine Data: A powerhouse physical phenom at 6’9.0” barefoot, 253.4 lbs, featuring a towering 7’5.25” wingspan, a 9’1.0” standing reach, and massive 11.25-inch hands (upper 95th percentile). He did not run athletic testing at the combine due to recovering from a torn ACL/meniscus, followed by persistent knee swelling that limited his sophomore run.The Analytics: The ultimate structural boom-or-bust prospect. He posted a historic defensive playmaking ceiling, recording a monumental 9.8% Block Percentage (63 total blocks) and an active 2.2% Steal Percentage at Arizona State, carrying an elite 5.4 DBPM. He cleared the boards with an 11.8% Offensive Rebound Percentage and an 18.4% Defensive Rebound Percentage.The Red Flags: Catastrophic shooting mechanics. He posted a broken 45.2% FT% as a freshman and plummeted to a brutal 30.8% FT% (4-of-13) over a tiny 4-game sample during his injury-plagued sophomore stint at Kentucky. Combined with a staggering 18.9% to 24.4% Turnover Percentage (TO%), his offensive upside is heavily constrained. The NBA Translation: An elite, high-ceiling defensive anchor (Robert Williams III track). He provides generational length and shot erasure but acts as an extreme offensive liability who can be ruthlessly targeted with late-game intentional fouling.Chris Cenac Jr. (F/C, Slid to #27 - Celtics):The Biometrics & Combine Data: Prototypical modern frontcourt length, measuring at 6'10.25” barefoot, 240 lbs, with a sweeping 7'5” wingspan and a 9-foot standing reach.The Analytics: Handled a modest 16.8 PER with 9.5 PPG / 7.9 RPG. Flashed pick-and-pop gravity with a 31.3% 3-Point Attempt Rate (30-of-90 total 3s) and a stellar 18.0% Total Rebounding Percentage (TRB%) within Houston's demanding box-out ecosystem.The Red Flags: Suffers from a clear lack of interior aggression and a slow defensive processing speed, managing a tiny 2.6% Block Percentage (only 19 total blocks) with a 7'5" wingspan. He frequently settles for perimeter jumpers, driving an underwhelming 48.5% FG% and a shaky 62.1% FT%.The NBA Translation: An elite-length stretch-five project who possesses a high motor for rebounding but completely lacks a physical motor for interior rim execution.Tarris Reed Jr. (Center, Slid to #26 - Spurs):The Biometrics & Combine Data: A bruising low-post pivot measuring 6’9.75” barefoot, an unmovable 263.3 lbs, anchored by a massive 7’4” wingspan and a 9’2” standing reach. Frame is purely ground-bound.The Analytics: An absolute interior force with a 21.2 PER, an elite 18.2% TRB%, and a commanding 24.5% DRB%. Shot a highly efficient 60.7% FG% (224-of-369) and converted 60.0% of his post-up looks. Registered a strong 7.4% Block Percentage (70 total blocks). His career FT% sits at 58.2% (bumping to 61.7% as a senior).The Red Flags: A complete spacing black hole (0.0% 3PAR) and a severe defensive liability on perimeter pick-and-roll switches due to heavy feet. Entering the NBA as a 22.7-year-old rookie severely caps his future development window.The NBA Translation: A throwback, physically punishing low-post anchor and possession-winning machine (Mitchell Robinson/Andre Drummond track) who compromises team defensive switching versatility.Cam Carr (Wing, Slid to #24 - Lakers):The Biometrics & Combine Data: 6'5" barefoot, 175 lbs, 6'8" wingspan.The Analytics: A high-volume perimeter sniper with an astonishing 61.4% 3PAR, backed by a stellar 81.2% FT%. However, he carries a microscopic 5.4% TRB% and a low 14.8 PER.The NBA Translation: A pure, fragile floor-spacer who offers zero paint protection or interior presence.⚖️ Should the Hawks Have Drafted Differently at #23?All of the players available at #23 had red flags. Mara: too slow laterally, 56.4% FT %, low 14.5-15.5 TRB% for a guy his size.Quaintance: 45.2% FT % as a freshman, 30.8% FT in 4 games as a sophomore, major injury concerns, high 18.9% to 24.4% TO%. Reed: too slow laterally, literally doesn't shoot 3s, 58.2% collegiate FT %, 61.7% FT % senior year, 22.7 years old. Cenac Jr: a miniscule 2.6% Block Percentage (only 19 total blocks) for a 6'10, 240lb guy with a 7'5" wingspan; settles for perimeter jumpers, 48.5% FG% and 62.1% FT%. You could argue that he was trying to be a stretch 5 (30-for-90 on 3s), but you'd lose that argument: At the Rim (Restricted Area): 58 attempts (20.8% of his total shot volume), The Non-Restricted Paint (Hooks/Floaters): 67 attempts (24.0% of his shot volume). The Mid-Range / Long 2s (Jumpers): 64 attempts (22.9% of his shot volume). Beyond the Arc (3-Pointers): 90 attempts (32.3% of his shot volume). This was across his entire 37-game freshman season at Houston. The guy doesn't want to go to the rim to get points for whatever reason. Carr: Yeah, we're not drafting another wing. Knowing how the Hawks love switchability on defense, would you have taken any of these other guys? I understand why Onsi took Zuby as opposed to any of these other guys: switchability, 27.7 PER, elite defensive playmaking (6.8% BLK% / 2.3% STL%), gritty defensive player who shot 71.8% from the line his senior year and 70.9% for his collegiate career, 30.4% on 3s his senior year (14-of-46) and 28.4% for his career on low volume, and a respectable 59.8% TS %. If he could develop a 3-pt shot like OO, he would help his cause tremendously.The more I look at the other guys who were available at #23, the less I like any of them and the more I'm convinced that Zuby was the best option for us; not the best player ever, but probably the BPA for our situation. </blockquote> <hr><h3> <hr><strong>Mining:</strong> <br> <a title="Cryptotab browser" target="_blank" href="https://cryptotabbrowser.com/12/4000343"><u>Bitcoin</u>, Cryptotab browser</a> - <a title="Pi Network, CLOUD PHONEMINING" target="_blank" href="https://minepi.com/cusidore"><u>Pi Network</u> cloud PHONE MINING</a> <br><a title="Fone, CLOUD PHONE MINING" target="_blank" href="https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.cloud.earning"><u>Fone</u>, cloud PHONE MINING</a> cod. dhvd1dkx - <a title="Mintme, PC PHONE MINING" target="_blank" href="https://www.coinimp.com/invite/86d61388-18f9-4f8b-8561-8962c67e7166">Mintme, PC PHONE MINING</a> <hr><strong>Exchanges:</strong> <br> <a title="Coinbase.com" target="_blank" href="http://coinbase.com/join/occhip_8?src=android-link">Coinbase.com</a> - <a title="Stex.com" target="_blank" href="https://stex.com/?ref=27877494">Stex.com</a> - <a title="Probit.com" target="_blank" href="https://www.probit.com/r/46858290">Probit.com</a> <hr><strong>Donations:</strong> <br> <a title="Done crypto" target="_blank" href="https://commerce.coinbase.com/checkout/140e9bb6-c4ef-4156-92cf-9c87a88fd259">Done crypto</a> </h3><br><br>