Charlotte Hornets 2020 NBA Draft: Daniel Oturu is an underrated prospect

Heading into the 2020 NBA Draft, there will be a lot of talent for the Charlotte Hornets to look over. This prospect article will cover Daniel Oturu.

As the Charlotte Hornets await news on the rest of their regular-season games, there are still preparations to make before next season. During this time, the Hornets should be looking over prospects for the NBA Draft.

Heading into next season, the Hornets will have some holes to fill in their frontcourt. Following this season, Bismack Biyombo and Willy Hernangomez are set to become unrestricted free agents.

Unless the Hornets plan to re-sign both centers, the team should continue to look at some young prospects in the draft. Luckily for the Hornets, Daniel Oturu is an underrated center that they can possibly target.

About Daniel Oturu

Height: 6’10”

Weight: 240 pounds

Wingspan: 7’3″

2019-20 stats: 20.1  points, 11.3 rebounds, 2.5 blocks, 56% FG, 33.9 minutes

Strengths

• Finishes well through contact
• Great size and athleticism
• Great offensive game in the paint
• Can shoot from almost anywhere
• Able to consistently rebound
• Can alter shots when needed

Weaknesses

• Must continue to polish his offensive game
• Not enough film on how he finished with offhand in paint
• Must continue to avoid committing turnovers
• Needs to work on free throw shot

As of now, the Hornets are possibly looking at drafting with the eighth pick in the draft. If the Hornets are able to finish their regular season, then the team could have a higher chance at a top pick.

With the spot that they currently may receive, the Hornets would not go wrong by picking Daniel Oturu. This prospect is underrated, and his success has not been validated because of his team’s overall record.

As a sophomore, Oturu completely raised every one of his numbers from last season. As a center, he’s been able to score consistently, while also having the size and awareness to grab rebounds.

Rebounding is something that the Hornets have struggled with, as they are ranked 28th in the NBA in defensive rebounds per game with 31.8. The lack of rebounding has hurt the Hornets and has been a major factor in some of the team’s losses.

Oturu’s size also grants him an incredible ability to consistently block shots on the defensive end. While the Hornets are the 26th ranked team in blocks per game, adding a consistent shot-blocker would not hurt.

Moreover, one of my favorite things about Oturu is his ability to score in a variety of different ways. As of late, the Hornets have been used to having centers that only have one offensive skill set.

While the NBA has moved away from old school basketball and into the three-point shooting era, the team’s lack of shooting from the center position has often caused them to go small. Going small may be good, but it can hurt a team on the defensive end of the court.

If the Hornets draft Oturu, they will be getting a player who can score in the post and from behind the three-point line. Oturu may have some polishing to do with his offensive game, but he definitely has the ability to improve.

Going into the draft, I am very excited about this player, but what he does in the combine should be worth watching if the league allows it. As we continue to await news on the season, I suggest you take a look at some of Oturu’s 2019-20 highlights.