Portland Trail Blazers draft profile – Precious Achiuwa
Precious Achiuwa, Memphis Tigers
PNWS continues our series on Portland Trail Blazers’ potential 2020 first-round draft picks. Today it’s Memphis freshman forward Precious Achiuwa.
The 2020 NBA Draft will be interesting because it lacks the depth and high-end talent from the past several years. This year the Portland Trail Blazers have the 16th overall pick. Currently, the league is holding a virtual combine for prospects. It will run through mid-November, wrapping up shortly before Draft Day on November 18.
Today we look at power forward Precious Achiuwa from the University of Memphis. The 6-9 forward left the Tigers program after his freshman season for the NBA. Last year, he put up some impressive numbers for Penny Hardaway’s team.
Achiuwa averaged 15.8 points, 10.8 rebounds, 1.0 assists, 1.9 blocks, and 1.1 steals per game, on 49.3 percent from the floor. That was good enough to make him the 2019-20 All-American Conference Freshman and Player of the Year.
Aside from being a physically gifted individual, he has an almost unique body. Achiuwa is 6-9, 225- pounds, with an incredible 7-1 wingspan. That makes him long, lean, and agile.
Precious Achiuwa – 10 Positives
- A physical specimen.
- Can run the floor.
- A beast on the boards, he combines strength and athleticism to beat his opponent on the glass.
- Size, speed, and wingspan make him an effective shot blocker.
- Versatile enough to play the 5 when his team goes small.
- High energy player.
- Hustles on both ends.
- Moves well without the ball.
- Has the raw skills to be a top-notch defender.
- Explosive power to the rim makes him a threat on the pick-and-roll.
Precious Achiuwa – 10 Negatives
- Not the most skilled prospect.
- Doesn’t shoot well for either the free-throw line or three-point range.
- Gets caught with the ball too often when doubled. He has to do a better job of finding the open man.
- Turns the ball over too much.
- His ball skills need work to maximize his offensive potential.
- Struggles with what to do if he can’t beat his man with the first step.
- Limited move-set in the low post.
- Has trouble creating his own shot.
- Prone to defensive lapses.
- Bites on fakes when looking to make a highlight reel block.
Verdict
I have Achiuwa in my realistic top three players the Portland Trail Blazers should select with the 16th overall pick.
Unlike my colleague Chris Phillips, who advocates for perimeter players, I think the Portland Trail Blazers need someone who can be a monster inside. Achiuwa is strong, athletic and has a wingspan that will give him an advantage over most players when rebounding.
Portland also needs an offensive threat in the paint and Achiuwa is that guy. When opponents come out to defend Damien Lillard, C.J. McCollum, and Gary Trent, the Blazers outside shooters can whip the ball down low to Achiuwa who can emphatically finish at the rim.
What makes Achiuwa appealing is his high upside. looking at his weaknesses, many of them will improve with time and good coaching.
Check back with PNWS in the days leading up to the NBA Draft on November 18 as we continue our pre-event coverage.