Festus Ezeli: Highlights, Analysis and Pro Projections

Festus Ezeli is a big man who specializes in interior defense. Ezeli has improved consistently since he arrived at Vanderbilt, and this year he helped lead the Commodores to the NCAA tournament and a victory over the Kentucky Wildcats in the SEC tournament.

Despite spending four years at Vanderbilt, his offensive game is very unrefined, but he has a good motor and loves to protect the rim. His raw offensive skills aren't surprising considering how late Ezeli picked up the game.

Ezeli's journey from his homeland to Vanderbilt was an interesting one. Pablo Torre chronicles much of this in a story on Ezeli for Sports Illustrated.

Ezeli was born in Nigeria, he was an extremely bright kid having graduated from high school at the age of 14. He wanted to become a doctor, so his parents sent him to live with his uncle, a pediatrician in California. That is where he first began to play basketball as a 6'8" underdeveloped 15-year-old.

Slowly but steadily he has found his way in the game, and now he is in position to be a first-round selection in the NBA.

ESPN's Chad Ford has him listed as the fifth-best center in the draft, but I believe he has a higher ceiling than some.

Ezeli may never develop into an offensive force, but his size and athleticism could be very valuable to a team with holes in the middle.

Here is a scouting report on Ezeli that highlights his strengths and weaknesses.

(Height, weight and stats per statsheet.com)

Profile

Height: 6'11" 

Weight: 255 pounds 

School: Vanderbilt

Date of Birth: October 21, 1989

Best NBA Position: Center

College Stats: (Key Stats Underlined) 10.1 PPG, 23.2 MPG, 53.9 FG%, 0 3FG%, 60.4 FT%, 0.3 APG, 5.9 RPG, 2 BPG, 0.4 SPG

Skill Grades

Athleticism - A

Size - A

Intangibles - B

Rebounding - B-

Ball Handling - D

Defense - A

Shooting - C-

Passing - C-

Post Game - C+

Basketball IQ - C

Upside - A-

Strengths

Ezeli has a big body, he's muscular and he has long arms. He moves well for a big man and is a quick second-leaper. This is a skill that could lead to an increase in Ezeli's rebounding effectiveness in the NBA.

Ezeli is an extremely intelligent man and as he learns to apply his natural intelligence into understanding basketball situations, he'll have a better feel for the game. Right now, his biggest asset is his interior defense. He blocked two shots per game in just over 20 minutes of playing time.

If he can learn to stay on his feet and resist the pump fake, which he has already improved drastically, he will be even more effective as a defender.

Because of Ezeli's intelligence, size and athleticism he has solid upside.

Here is Ezeli at his best for Vanderbilt:

Weaknesses

Ezeli's basketball IQ is still low at this point, though it is improving. It is most visible on offense, as he doesn't take advantage of his size as often as he should. He doesn't pass well from the post and doesn't make quick decisions.

He has poor footwork on the block and right now his offensive repertoire consist of a moderately effective jump hook and put-backs.

He could do wonders for his game if he developed a 15-foot jump shot. It would give him a reliable offensive weapon. A simple addition like that would make him less of an offensive liability.

Where his game is now, his offensive contribution in the NBA will come from offensive rebounds and transition plays.

NBA Player Comparison

Bigger Joel Anthony

Anthony is an undersized center, but he makes up for his lack of height with long arms and tenacity on defense, but what if he were two inches taller?

Then he'd be Festus Ezeli.

Neither of these guys offer much on the offensive end, but they battle on defense, contest at the rim and are above-average shot-blockers.

In his five-year career Anthony has averaged three points, three rebounds and 1.4 blocked shots per contest. He only plays 18 minutes per game. If he played more, his rebound and blocked shot totals would be higher.

Ezeli's height advantage gives him a distinct edge, so I would expect more production, but speaking strictly on style, he and Anthony are nearly identical.

Draft Projection:

Late First Round to Early Second

Follow Brian Mazique and Franchiseplay.net for reactions, analysis and news from the world of sports and sports video games.

Follow @BrianMazique

Follow @franchiseplay