PonyFans.comBoard IndexAround the HilltopFootballRecruitingBasketballOther Sports

Draft Express: Semi Ojeleye

Anything involving SMU basketball belongs here.

Moderators: PonyPride, SmooPower

Draft Express: Semi Ojeleye

Postby Harry0569 » Thu Feb 16, 2017 9:43 am

https://twitter.com/Mike_Schmitz/status ... 1868396546

http://www.draftexpress.com/article/Sem ... rward-5805

After a season and a half as a rarely-used energy big man on loaded Duke teams – playing 143 total minutes and scoring 46 total points – 6' 7” 235-pound Semi Ojeleye has found a home in Dallas at SMU. The versatile forward, who had to sit out the 2015-16 season as a redshirt transfer, ranks third in the AAC in scoring at 18.2 points per game and has been a key cog in SMU's tremendous season, while working his way into NBA Draft conversations.

Ojeleye, whose parents hail from Nigeria (father a doctor, mother a nurse) has turned himself into a legitimate stretch option as a mismatch four. He's shooting 42% from three on a healthy 138 attempts (five per game), a product of his strong work ethic and focus, after shooting just one 3-pointer per game on average in his time at Duke. A well-spoken, intelligent 22-year-old, Ojeleye doesn't lack in confidence and has an extremely professional approach to the game, and his strong mentality has really showed through 27 games.

Used strictly at the four in SMU's offense, Ojeleye has time and space to get to his jumper off the catch, can shoot off the dribble if run off the line, is nimble enough to attack opposing fours off the bounce with a tough combination of power and quickness, and is dangerous operating in mid-post spots while flashing crisp footwork for a 235-pounder. Ojeleye is scoring 23.5 points per 40 minutes shooting 50% from two and 42% from three and has an NBA translatable skill set as a mismatch four who may be able to play a pinch of small forward for stretches. Here's a full breakdown of how Ojeleye is able to impact the game for the Mustangs:

Ojeleye has some weaknesses, however, as he's a bit undersized for a power forward even in today's NBA at 6' 7”, and he doesn't make up for it with a freakish reach (6' 10” wingspan) although his jacked 235-pound frame definitely helps. He's somewhat caught between positions on the defensive end as he's not quite big enough to check traditional fours, and while demonstrating solid lateral quickness when fully engaged, doesn't have a ton of experience chasing around NBA-level wings. His instincts on that end have room to improve as well, evident by his very low block and steal rates (partially a product of SMU playing a fair amount of zone). Ojeleye can also add more value on the defensive glass – 5.5 per 40 minutes –, another area where he'll need to bump up his production to play long stretches at the four in the NBA.

Ojeleye's lack of elite size and average standstill leaping hurts him as an interior scorer at the NBA level, and his overall perimeter skill set could use some polish if he wants to play more minutes on the perimeter. Here's a full breakdown of the main areas where Ojeleye has room to improve:

All in all, despite some shortcomings, Ojeleye's mature approach, strength, agility and offensive versatility make him a very intriguing NBA Draft prospect as a small-ball four that can play some three in bigger lineups.
"smupony94: Harry, you have been promoted to purveyor of official status capabilities."
User avatar
Harry0569
PonyFans.com Super Legend
 
Posts: 8938
Joined: Fri Jan 04, 2008 12:35 pm
Location: Atlanta, GA

Re: Draft Express: Semi Ojeleye

Postby Harry0569 » Thu Feb 16, 2017 9:44 am

Click the link to view the videos.
"smupony94: Harry, you have been promoted to purveyor of official status capabilities."
User avatar
Harry0569
PonyFans.com Super Legend
 
Posts: 8938
Joined: Fri Jan 04, 2008 12:35 pm
Location: Atlanta, GA

Re: Draft Express: Semi Ojeleye

Postby ojaipony » Thu Feb 16, 2017 9:48 am

Yes, he needs another year to work on things like his lateral quickness and bounce. No way he's ready right now. Needs another year. :-)
ojaipony
PonyFans.com Super Legend
 
Posts: 8281
Joined: Tue Jun 21, 2011 5:02 pm
Location: Austin, TX

Re: Draft Express: Semi Ojeleye

Postby Bergermeister » Thu Feb 16, 2017 10:10 am

ojaipony wrote:Yes, he needs another year to work on things like his lateral quickness and bounce. No way he's ready right now. Needs another year. :-)

Definitely needs 1 more season at the college level. :wink:
Bergermeister
PonyFans.com Super Legend
 
Posts: 7095
Joined: Sun Jul 28, 2002 3:01 am
Location: University Park

Re: Draft Express: Semi Ojeleye

Postby gostangs » Thu Feb 16, 2017 10:51 am

Nothing to see here NBA scouts, just keep moving along....
gostangs
PonyFans.com Super Legend
 
Posts: 12311
Joined: Mon Dec 02, 2002 4:01 am
Location: Dallas, Texas USA

Re: Draft Express: Semi Ojeleye

Postby PonyLawExpress » Thu Feb 16, 2017 11:23 am

gostangs wrote:Nothing to see here NBA scouts, just keep moving along....


Also in the late first and 2nd rounds there are a ton of bigs. https://twitter.com/franfraschilla/stat ... 2055653377
Talks about Draft expresses Top Prospects list #12-40, 21 of the are PF or C's. If Semi went he might be a mid-late 2nd rounder but could risk undrafted. Don't see why he wouldn't come back and work on his improvement areas and become more elite in other areas so he is a lock to get drafted the next year and potentially and All-American. Think like Shake has a lot to gain from coming back but we shall see.
PonyLawExpress
Heisman
 
Posts: 1070
Joined: Mon Jan 04, 2016 1:11 pm
Location: Dallas, TX

Re: Draft Express: Semi Ojeleye

Postby MFFL02 » Thu Feb 16, 2017 4:33 pm

He should return and try to put up some monster numbers next season and try to sneak into the first round.
I miss Troy Matthews.
MFFL02
All-American
 
Posts: 959
Joined: Mon Nov 29, 2004 8:49 pm

Re: Draft Express: Semi Ojeleye

Postby smusic 00 » Thu Feb 16, 2017 5:03 pm

He'll be 23 in December.
User avatar
smusic 00
PonyFans.com Super Legend
 
Posts: 6912
Joined: Mon Jan 07, 2008 12:15 pm
Location: Downtown

Re: Draft Express: Semi Ojeleye

Postby Harry0569 » Thu Feb 16, 2017 5:36 pm

smusic 00 wrote:He'll be 23 in December.


That's the biggest issue. NBA teams are enamored with the potential of getting an 18/19/20-year into their program. At 23...there's a lot more risk given less time to develop.
"smupony94: Harry, you have been promoted to purveyor of official status capabilities."
User avatar
Harry0569
PonyFans.com Super Legend
 
Posts: 8938
Joined: Fri Jan 04, 2008 12:35 pm
Location: Atlanta, GA

Re: Draft Express: Semi Ojeleye

Postby mustangxc » Thu Feb 16, 2017 6:19 pm

If he is projected as a second rounder, he should come back. As a second rounder he will need to hit the ground running from day one as there is no safety of a 3-4 year contract. He has a better chance of improving his game at SMU than in the NBA. On the other hand, if he is projected as a first rounder he should go and get paid.
User avatar
mustangxc
PonyFans.com Super Legend
 
Posts: 7281
Joined: Tue Nov 14, 2006 3:57 pm


Return to Basketball

Who is online

Users browsing this forum: Google Adsense [Bot] and 31 guests