KELLY OLYNYK
7-0, 240 lbs.
School: Gonzaga
Class: Junior
Selected with the 13th overall pick by the Dallas Mavericks
STRENGTHS: Olynyk was one of the best big men in the nation last season, averaging 17.8 points and 7.3 boards per game. He’s got a polished post game, and can score in a variety of ways underneath. His back-to-the basket skills are terrific, and he knows how to position himself on the block. Though other centers in this class have more athleticism, Olynyk might be the best offensive player of them all. He’s a good mid-range shooter and has range up to 15-18 feet. The Zags’ big man also shot 77% from the free throw line last season. Olynyk redshirted in 2012, and was probably the most improved player in the nation this season. He was one of the major reasons why Gonzaga won 32 games and earned a No. 1 seed in the NCAAs.
WEAKNESSES: He’s not athletic enough. Much of his struggles in the NBA will derivate from that simple yet inexorable problem. Though he has no trouble getting up and down the floor, Olynyk is slow for the NBA game and will have trouble keeping up with the elite-level big men. While he has a good post game, he sometimes struggles against good defenders. The low level of competition he plays against in the WCC could hurt his stock, as could the fact that he only put up big numbers in one season.
BOTTOM LINE: His ceiling isn’t very high, but there’s still a chance that Olynyk can develop into a solid NBA center, along the lines of an Andrew Bogut or Nick Collison. Olynyk has a refined offensive game and should have no problem scoring at the next level. He’s also a good shooter, and has the length and size to be a good rebounder. But a lack of elite-level athleticism and quickness could hurt him.