Auburn's Isaac Okoro to Declare for 2020 NBA Draft

Timothy Rapp @@TRappaRTFeatured ColumnistMarch 20, 2020

Auburn forward Isaac Okoro against Arkansas during the first half of an NCAA college basketball game Tuesday, Feb. 4, 2020, in Fayetteville, Arkansas. (AP Photo/Michael Woods)

Michael Woods/Associated Press

Auburn Tigers wing Isaac Okoro will test the 2020 NBA draft waters, according to Jon Rothstein of CBS Sports.

Okoro spent one season at Auburn, averaging 12.9 points, 4.4 rebounds and 2.0 assists per game, shooting 51.4 percent from the field and 29.0 percent from three.

Justin Ferguson @JFergusonAU
Auburn HC Bruce Pearl said SF Isaac Okoro will put himself through the NBA Draft process, as expected. Pearl said that if Okoro gets the feedback that he's still a lottery pick, he should stay in the draft.

Giana Han @giana_jade
Bruce Pearl said he talked with Isaac Okoro about the NBA a little bit during the recruiting process. However, that's not what Okoro focuses on. He plays for joy, and it showed this season.

Tom Green @Tomas_Verde
Regarding Isaac Okoro, Bruce Pearl said they spoke about the NBA during the recruiting process. Most thought, at the time, it would take him a couple years to get in position to be drafted. That trajectory obviously changed this season. Said Okoro will go through draft process.

It always seemed probable that Okoro would be one-and-done. He was a 4-star recruit coming out of high school and No. 36 overall, per 247Sports' composite rankings, but he quickly climbed draft boards with his two-way play.

In a February mock draft, B/R's Jonathan Wasserman wrote, "Consistently making winning plays at both ends, Isaac Okoro has risen with substance over flash."

He added, "Valued for defense first, Okoro has been creating a convincing case to NBA scouts using his physical 6'6" frame, quick feet and focus to stay attached around the perimeter and wall up inside."

Mike Schmitz @Mike_Schmitz
Just caught up on Auburn-Vandy. What an all-around performance from Isaac Okoro. Checks so many boxes on both ends of the floor. Energetic, physical and athletic but also has a real BBIQ. Has the handle + vision to buy him time offensively as his jumper comes along. Winner. https://t.co/hGNmHspEa6

Okoro has serious upside, though he'll be a project. Namely, his offensive game needs work. But he has a chance to be a top-10 pick, and with the 2021 draft expected to be deeper, Okoro made the wise decision to declare after one season.