The Sun Times has an Essengue highlight video (free if you log in) that makes him look very athletic.
2025 NBA Draft Thread
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Excited for KJ. The Heat are a great landing spot for him.
Yahoo, worldwide sports connoisseurs! Lol
Makes very little sense...the same guy who gave that grade had KJ a lottery pick on his big board....LOL
Not to mention the heat needed a ball handler
I live in the Salt Lake City metro and was excited when the Jazz drafted Riley and then…
Here's the full writeup: https://sports.yahoo.com/nba/articl...OuQROvX1sfrSirIR-pHKOrYbZQELoHvQQJJ1cE34xh0tG
Worst grade of any pick. Absolute clownshow of a take.
To be fair here, he was pretty low on him compared to others. Had him outside the lottery in his mock draft, at #16. And his main beef with KJ is that he thinks he is a turnover machine, which is obviously not good for a ball handler.
I still think the low draft grade is extreme though, as he had Yang at a C+ despite being a much bigger reach (his mock draft had him at pick #6 in the second round, and his big board had him at #38).
He’s definitely athletic. The question is how long (or if) it will take to develop parts of his game needed to contribute beyond athleticism. If the Bulls are going to continue their up tempo style they played in second half of season, he can be a nice add. But without development, he won’t be more than that. Hopefully AK got it right.
.....yes. hopefully.
IlliniKat91
- Chicago, IL
Must be a Michigan grad
I'm surprised Talor Battle didn't get drafted in the 1st round. He's still their all-time #1.
Maybe they'll put him on the Buzelis plan, who is apparently getting bigger, and the Ayo shooting plan.
Peter Patton isn’t with the Bulls anymoreMaybe they'll put him on the Buzelis plan, who is apparently getting bigger, and the Ayo shooting plan.
Here's the full writeup: https://sports.yahoo.com/nba/articl...OuQROvX1sfrSirIR-pHKOrYbZQELoHvQQJJ1cE34xh0tG
Worst grade of any pick. Absolute clownshow of a take.
To be fair here, he was pretty low on him compared to others. Had him outside the lottery in his mock draft, at #16. And his main beef with KJ is that he thinks he is a turnover machine, which is obviously not good for a ball handler.
I still think the low draft grade is extreme though, as he had Yang at a C+ despite being a much bigger reach (his mock draft had him at pick #6 in the second round, and his big board had him at #38).
Even if he had him at 16 and a team took him at 20 wouldnt that mean in his mind a team got ghe 16th best player for 20th player pay? Meaning that should be a positive grade? ha
But the guy had KJ at 14 on his IG the morning of the draft...
MDchicago
- Lake Norman NC
Ha, I also wondered if he carried some rival hostilities with such a ridiculous clickbait take. Turns out (per LinkedIn) he's a psych major from Bridgewater State University in MA...
Since 2010 only 5 programs have had back to back first round picks in a NBA draft. Duke, North Carolina, Kansas, Kentucky, and Illinois.
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Not too surprising to be honest. He went undrafted back in 2011 and ended up spending most of his time playing overseas. Even in the early 2010s, 6'0'', 170 lbs was pretty undersized for a potential NBA talent.
Some of the notable 2nd round picks:
34. Charlotte-Ryan Kalkbrenner, C, Creighton
35. Philadelphia-Johni Broome, C, Auburn
37. Detroit-Chaz Lanier, G, Tennessee
44. Oklahoma City-Brooks Barnhizer, F, Northwestern
49. Cleveland-Tyrese Proctor, G, Duke
53. Utah-John Tonje, F, Wisconsin
34. Charlotte-Ryan Kalkbrenner, C, Creighton
35. Philadelphia-Johni Broome, C, Auburn
37. Detroit-Chaz Lanier, G, Tennessee
44. Oklahoma City-Brooks Barnhizer, F, Northwestern
49. Cleveland-Tyrese Proctor, G, Duke
53. Utah-John Tonje, F, Wisconsin
For those wanting to get an early look at KJ, the Heat will be playing in the California Classic at the Chase Center in San Francisco next weekend. The other teams involved will be the Spurs, Warriors, and Lakers. I know we have some Illini followers on here out in the Bay Area so they'd be able to watch the first two games, which are open to the public, on July 5 and July 6. The third game on July 8 will be broadcast only.
NBA Summer League in Vegas begins on July 10.
NBA Summer League in Vegas begins on July 10.
He gave us plenty of problems, though. 5-4 over his career against us. That includes the 71 point game
DeonThomas
- South Carolina
I play softball with the father of Will Dawkins (Wizards GM), who helped build OKC into the powerhouse they are today. Wizards love their first round "haul"!!!!Their going back with the Bullets style jerseys?
Dan
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NBA/Pro/International Basketball
Welcome to the NBA/Pro/International Basketball thread 🏀 2025 NBA Draft Kasparas Jakucionis drafted by the Miami Heat (1st Round, 20th Pick) Will Riley drafted by the Washington Wizards (1st Round, 21st Pick) Illini in the NBA Ayo Dosunmu with the Chicago Bulls (4 seasons) Terrence Shannon Jr...
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