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2020 NBA Draft: 5 Bigs the Washington Wizards could draft at #9

By Ethan Smith

Feb 27, 2020; Los Angeles, California, USA; Southern California Trojans forward Onyeka Okongwu (21) celebrates at the end of the game against the Arizona Wildcats at Galen Center. USC defeated Arizona 57-48. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports
Feb 27, 2020; Los Angeles, California, USA; Southern California Trojans forward Onyeka Okongwu (21) celebrates at the end of the game against the Arizona Wildcats at Galen Center. USC defeated Arizona 57-48. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports /
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Washington Wizards Precious Achiuwa. Mandatory Credit: Justin Ford-USA TODAY Sports
Washington Wizards Precious Achiuwa. Mandatory Credit: Justin Ford-USA TODAY Sports /

Precious Achiuwa, Memphis

There might not be a player in the draft with a higher motor than Precious Achiuwa. The power forward out of Memphis is the definition of a hustle player. Add that to an ideal frame for a forward (6’9″ with a 7’1″ wingspan and a 9″ standing reach), and Achiuwa has all the tools to be one of the best defenders coming out of this class.

In just one year at the NCAA level, Achiuwa proved it. He finished his freshman season with a 6.4 block percentage. His length helps him smother opposing players at the rim, while his lateral quickness allows him to stay with and slide in front of nearly anyone who dares challenge his rim.

Achiuwa’s also a force on the boards, where he posted a dominant defensive rebounding percentage of 24.6 percent at Memphis. Immediately, Achiuwa would help the Wizards address two of their biggest weaknesses from last season.

Related Story. Precious Achiuwa Draft Profile. light

However, Achiuwa is still a work in progress offensively. Most of his success at Memphis came due to his overwhelming physical ability. Achiuwa was just bigger, stronger, and faster than most of his competition.  He’ll still have all those tools at the next level, but the playing field will be a bit stiffer.

If Okongwu and the other bigs are off the board already, Achiuwa has all the tools to be an impactful center for the Wizards. There’s a reason he left Memphis as the 2019-20 AAC Player and Rookie of the Year.

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