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Aleksej Pokusevski

Serbia

HT/WT/WS7' , 195lbs
Projected RoleMismatch, playmaking 4
Age18

PTS

9.9
 16.7 per 36

REB

7.3
 12.2 per 36

FG%

48.1
105 FGA
Big Board Rankings

Strengths

  • "Has unique dimensions for a perimeter player

  • standing more than 7-foot in shoes

  • with a 7-foot-3 wingspan and 9-foot-1 standing reach. Smooth and fluid for his size. He is the youngest player in this draft class

  • not turning 19 until late December."

  • "Versatile shooting potential: He has good footwork and body control

  • with a compact release coming off screens and off the dribble; he can rise and fire even with a hand in his face."

  • "Nifty passer who can deliver a variety of precise dimes. At 7 feet

  • he can make passes over the top of the defense in the pick-and-roll that most players can’t."

  • "He has good handles for his size

  • using hesitations

  • crossovers

  • and long strides to create separation. His movements are also decisive; there are very few record scratches when he possesses the ball."

  • "It’s easy to envision an offensive role for him as a floor spacer and secondary handler in the half court

  • and as a transition playmaker who rips down rebounds and jump-starts possessions."

  • "Potentially a versatile defender if he gets stronger. He has agility and fluidity

  • and he can swarm smaller opponents with his 7-foot-3 wingspan."

  • "Attentive off-ball defender who communicates and jumps passing lanes to deflect passes."

  • "Floor-spacing big man with range from the post to the perimeter"

  • "Stunningly agile for his height with the skills to match: can run the break

  • pass at a high level and create"

  • "Good length and can affect the defensive side of the floor with his defensive playmaking and size"

Areas to Improve

  • "Hasn''t been scouted as thoroughly as other international draft prospects. Played only 254 minutes this season in the Greek second division

  • a low level of competition. Was out for nearly three months because of an injury."

  • "He’s so skinny; few players with his frame find success in the NBA. He may never be a good one-on-one defender because of physical limitations. It is vital that he finds an excellent strength-and-conditioning program."

  • "Inconsistent defensive effort. He plays like he’s 6 feet sometimes

  • not even bothering to contest shots with his long wingspan."

  • "Tries to do too much on offense. He forces tough shots and tries ill-advised moves rather than making the sensible play."

  • "Doesn’t hold his follow-through on jumpers

  • which is one of the reasons for his streakiness; better fundamentals will lead to better results."

  • "Potentially a skilled interior finisher since he can use either hand

  • but he struggles against size and length. He also hasn’t shown any moves in the post."

  • "Skinny as a rail: only listed at a bit over 200 pounds

  • small for a 6-foot-9 big let alone a 7-footer"

  • "Not a good finisher in traffic and easily pushed off his spot with contact"

  • "Fluid athlete but not explosive; doesn''t have great burst or leaping ability"

Traits

Ballhandling

Playmaking

"Perimeter Shooting"

Scouting Sources

"Jonathan Givony", "Kevin O''Conner", "CBS Sports"

Community Scouting Reports (9)

Devean Thomas
u/Dame_Time19

#20

RANK

NBA COMPARISON - Toni Kukoč. Dragan Bender.

Aleksej Pokusevski is a good ballhandler and 3-point shooter. He also plays exceptional defense. But he is a potential draft-and-stash.


Analysis done by @Dame_Time19. View their full  draft big board and scouting reports here.
Nolan Russell
u/nolanrussell996

#12

RANK

Floor: Skinnier Dragan Bender Likely Peak: 7-foot Rodions Kurucs Ceiling: 7-foot Andrei Kirilenko/Detlef Schrempf


Analysis done by @nolanrussell996. View their full  draft big board and scouting reports here.
Lenny Parsons
u/leoparso

#37

RANK

Unique talent at 7''0 & 7''3 wing span, just 205 lbs. Body needs to be frozen in a protein feeding chamber for the next 2 years in order to survive NBA offense as a defender. Likes to create with slick passing and instincts traditionally assigned to guards. Can actually move well off the dribble for his size. Shooting stroke looks long term sustainable, adaptable and he may be able to shoot off the dribble if he gets a chance to progress. D-League an option unless we see a 245 lb man by 2021. As with any 7 foot string bean who lacks high level reps to have a better assessment I am concerned about turnovers down the road, but I''m also optimistic about his unique playmaking abilities and shot creation potential for a human of this size.


Analysis done by @leoparso. View their full  draft big board and scouting reports here.
FREE BOL BOL
u/Ravenclaw

#18

RANK

Player Comp: Toni Kukoc Strengths: Versatile forward with a guard skill set … Excellent size and length … Has unique coordination for a player of his size and age … Great body control … Has rare versatility and has been used in four positions, from shooting guard to even center due to his size and intangibles … Can do just about everything on the floor … Dribbles like a guard and runs the floor like a wing … Great feel for the game … Has point forward potential … Excellent basketball I.Q … Very good ball handler for a player of his size, can dribble with either hand … Great touch around the basket … Excellent shooter from the 3-point line … Very good in Spot Up and Catch and Shoot situations … Moves well around screens to get open for a shoot … Has an interesting Pull up game and although his shooting release isn’t that high he can shoot over shorter opponents … Very good free throw shooter … A rare case of a player who can play the Pick and Roll either as the ball handler or as the sc


Analysis done by @Ravenclaw. View their full  draft big board and scouting reports here.
Sam Sares
u/samsares995

#15

RANK

Aleksej is a guard in the body of a 5. He is one of a long list of recent european unicorn. His range of skills are what many NBA teams are searching for in today NBA. However, he needs time to increase his game; moreover he could be a "boom or bust", depends on his feeling for the game and desire to listen and learn.


Analysis done by @samsares995. View their full  draft big board and scouting reports here.
Dashiell Decker
u/dashielldecker

#26

RANK

Strengths -Height/Length -Playmaking Potential -Ball Handling/Agility -Shooting Potential -Shot Blocking

Weaknesses -Weight/Strength -Position -High-Level Experience -On Ball Defense -Turnovers/Ball Security

Projection: Mid 1st Round - Early 2nd

Player Comp: Dragan Bender

Ceiling: Fringe All-Star Floor: G-League


Analysis done by @dashielldecker. View their full  draft big board and scouting reports here.
Harrison Ensor
u/harrisonensor

#21

RANK

Skilled big-man with solid physicals/athleticism. A lot of his best traits are indicators of all-star potential. Needs to build up strength. Still very raw, unexperienced as a player.


Analysis done by @harrisonensor. View their full  draft big board and scouting reports here.
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u/bignumber0

#11

RANK

If there''s a team that could turn Pokusevski into an all-star, it''s the Spurs. He screams untapped potential, and could very much be the next Giannis of this draft. He needs to add muscle because he looks like he''d get snapped like a twig trying to box out, but his ballhanding and shooting for a 7-footer are phenomenal. They need a new frontcourt with an aging Aldridge, and no good center besides Poeltl.


Analysis done by @bignumber0. View their full  draft big board and scouting reports here.
Ali Ak
u/whiteriver

#23

RANK

How likely is it that he will fill out his frame? If it would be likely, he would be a surefire top-10 prospect.


Analysis done by @whiteriver. View their full  draft big board and scouting reports here.