Scouting Report: Chinanu Onuaku
Chinanu Onuaku was too dominant in last few games in Adriatic League and it’s time to make a report on a player from a league that I follow the most closely. His team Zadar also won Croatian cup less than two weeks ago and Onuaku was amongst the best players in the final match vs Split when he scored 16 points, grabbed 9 rebounds and also blocked 4 shots.
BACKGROUND INFO
Position: C
Height: 206 cm (6 ft 9 in)
Date of Birth: 1/11/1996
Nationality: American
Previous clubs:
2016–2018 Houston Rockets/Rio Grange Valley Vipers
2018–2019 Greensboro Swarm
2019–2020 Wonju DB Promy
Played only two years in college for Louisville Cardinals and tried his luck on the 2016 NBA Draft where he was drafted in second round by Houston Rockets on 37th place. In his Freshman season in colelge he averaged 3 points per game in around 18 minutes and had to share his position with NBA center Montrezl Harrell and Mangok Mathiang who also should be playing in Adriatic League for Cedevita Olimpija this season but got injured right before the start of the season and probably out for this season. Sophmore season (with Harrell gone to NBA) was much better and averaged 9.9 points, 8.5 rebounds and 2.0 blocks in 25 minutes per game. He was selected in the All ACC Defensive team in his Sophmore season. He was also a member of the USA U19 team that won gold medal at the FIBA U19 World Championship in Greece in 2015. After spending playing in NBA G League for three years, he signed for DB Promy last year in South Korea and this season it’s his first season in Europe.
VIDEO REPORT:
OFFENSE
Post up & Interior game: Chinanu knows how to play on low post to get to a good position for his shot. To be honest, most teams in the Adriatic league lack strong interior defense and good rim protectors which makes his job easier but I think his post up game can translate to a higher level.
Pretty mobile, can make a quick and balanced spin towards the baseline while most finishes are with his dominant right hand. Likes to push his defender completely under the rim and finish with an easy dunk. His decision making on post ups is usually too slow, he needs a few seconds before making a decision and definitely needs to improve in this area and start making quicker decisions.
Pick & roll: Pretty good pick & roll player. Sets hard screens and rolls good to the rim. Can play above the rim too and finish those high lob passes with dunks. Usually makes quicker decisions on short rolls than on post up plays and can spot shooters in corners.
Transition/Rim running: Another aspect of his game where he is very good at is his transition game. Not the fastest or running at full speed but knows his lane and runs directly towards the rim. Handles the ball well for a player his size and can make some dribbles after a steal and push in transition.
Passing: I think his passing and court vision could be used more often and could be a great asset at a higher level. He scans the floor well and can deliver passes from low post to cutters or shooters. Has good court awareness and good touch on those passes. Also as mentioned before, can make some kick out passes on short rolls too. Not an elite passer by any means but should not be underestimated as a creator from low post.
Shooting: Most of his attempts are around the basket but also made a three point shot this season. Probably most known for his underhanded free throw shooting but usually scoring around 65 % of his free throws which is not the worst number. Probably won’t become a shooting threat from mid range but still good to see that he is taking those shots if left completely open.
DEFENSE
Post up defense: Good post up defender and rim protector. His stance is strong and not moved easily. Has the habit of having one hand on the back of the offensive player, what is usually called as a foul but somehow gets away with it. Pretty low gravity point and good balance. With his size and length he contests shots around the rim even though not really blocking most of them.
Pick & Roll defense: Statistically a good pick & roll defender but could have some troubles on higher level. Active hands and legs but sometimes he can be positioned badly and leave too much space to the roller. If he improves his hips and legs there could be some minor switchability potential.
Pick & Pop defense/Closeouts: Struggles against pick & pop players and usually comes out too high which slows his reactions and allows an easy drive from the offensive player. With minor improvements and making better reads, he could bring this area to a much higher level.
Rebounding: Active rebounder that is crashing the boards on both sides. Has solid instincts and also boxes out to create space. Probably won’t dominate in rebounding on a higher level but should still bring some solid rebounding numbers to the table. Averages 7.4 rebounds per game and ranks 3rd in rebounds in Adriatic league right behind NBA prospects Simonović and Petrušev.
SUMMARY
Can make an impact on both sides of the floor. His defensive game is at the moment on higher level and with some minor improvements in his reactions he could become an elite defender in Europe.
A really good interior defender already but pick & roll and perimeter defense could be better.
In offense he is making most damage around the rim where he can finish with dunks but also showing some decent feel in his post up games. Decision making definitely needs to be quicker since he spend even more than 5 seconds before deciding what to do on post ups.
If we sum up all his pluses and minuses we get a player that should be on short lists of many European mid/top clubs. Great defense starts at the C position and Onuaku at the moment belongs in the group of best defensive bigs in Europe.
