NBA Draft 2011 Scouting Report Profile: Enes Kanter
Scouting Report Provided Courtesy of SwishScout.com
University of Kentucky
Freshman
Power Forward/Center
260 lb.s
Stoneridge Prep
Turkey
Long Story Short: Complete package in the paint with his back to the basket, face up game, post moves and finishing ability. Limited only by athleticism and a developing game, he is physically imposing with great potential and will be able to bully the paint for any team for years to come in the NBA.
Best Case Scenario: Al Jefferson
Worst Case Scenario: Andray Blatche
Does Well:
- Strong rebounder who boards up at a high rate and keen on put backs, physical in the paint.
- Solid midrange jumper when facing up, very good free throw shooter and good looking technique on his shot.
- Big body at 6’11”, 260 lb.s that is a physical presence in the post coupled with a 7 foot wingspan.
- Great awareness and sense of defenders around the basket when he has the ball, patience.
- Nice touch around the basket and ability to back down defenders, back to the basket game and post moves
- Moves very well without the ball and knows how to get open, uses his body to help position himself terrifically.
- Draws fouls in the paint and finishes frequently for easy 3 point plays, consistently finishes plays at the rim.
Must Improve:
Somewhat raw still in the post, but will polish his moves in no time; ball security in the paint can become an issue at higher levels of play.- Not quick or athletic at all, doesn’t run the floor especially well.
- Defensively not super imposing or able to block shots for a post player due to lack of mobility.
Translation To Next Level:
The surprise player and star of the 2010 Nike Hoop Summit who dominated the game in the paint for the international team.
He had 34 points and 13 rebounds in 24 minutes against the best high school players in the nation, including one of the best post players in Jared Sullinger. If that's what he does against the stars of the 2010 Freshman, imagine what he could have done against SEC defenses in the paint. Averaged 18 pts and 16 rebs in dominating performances in the Euro leagues.
I would be greatly conflicted if I had a choice of him, Kyrie Irving or Derrick Williams as the top prospect in the 2011 draft. As is, I think he is an amazing draft prospect with a skill set and game that is beyond his years, as he is only 18.
Has an excellent feel for the game in the post, showing great patience and awareness in the paint, as well as the ability to finish after contact. Has a smooth shooting stroke that will allow him to pull defenders away from the basket, and has the skill set to attack the basket off the dribble. Does good job bodying up on defender and changing shots in the paint, but isn’t as good of a shot blocker as you would hope with someone of his size and length. Very comfortable putting the ball on the floor and has the ability to make a quick move off the dribble.
There aren’t many post players his age who understand timing and being patient with the ball in their hands, but Kanter is very experienced for a player his age and executes at a high level in this regard. He also understands how to position himself better than probably any player in the Draft, and does so very effectively in rebounding and establishing post position on both ends of the floor.
Despite being relatively limited by NBA standards, he’s a player who can display surprising speed and ball quickness when he has the ball in his hands, mostly from his exceptional basketball IQ. His frame and length are everything you would hope for from an ideal post player, and his skill set take it up yet another notch.
Should be an intriguing prospect to many NBA GM’s because of his combination of size, length, skill and intrigue based on last year's Nike Hoop Summit performance. Nonetheless, a rare and incredibly gifted post player at a young age who is capable of eventually putting up 20 and 10 in the NBA.
Final Thoughts:
Ruled ineligible for the 2010-11 NCAA season for Kentucky, left the Wildcats wondering what if had he played during the season.
Perhaps on the best players to never play in the NCAA, his performance in the 2010 Nike Hoop Summit without a game in the NCAA leaves a lot of mystic and intrigue around his name. Seems like a slightly bigger, more refined version of Jared Sullinger by comparison, but stock will falter slightly because he didn’t get the chance to prove himself against college competition.
A very talented big man who has grown a couple inches over the past couple seasons to just under seven feet. Skill set and talent is worthy of a top five pick in the 2011 NBA Draft alone, but could very well be discussed as the top overall selection.
Underrated player simply because he wasn’t eligible to play and will perhaps get passed up for more "proven" players from the NCAA.
