Charlotte Hornets NBA Draft Profile: Usman Garuba

The Charlotte Hornets own their own first-round pick (11) and are owed second-round picks from the Brooklyn Nets (57) and the Los Angeles Clippers (56). Over the next couple of months, leading up to the 2021 NBA Draft, Swarm & Sting will take a look at prospects hoping to hear their name called on draft night.

Today, we take a close look at Usman Garuba, one of the more intriguing prospects between the international players that are trying to pursue the dream of joining the NBA. He is – in my view – the best overall defensive player in this class and which would be the main reason Charlotte considers him for the 11th overall pick.

Age: 19

Height: 6’8”

Weight: 230

International Stats/Awards

Garuba is the youngest player in Real Madrid history to feature as a starter, even ahead of a very well-known NBA star: Luka Doncic. In his three-year span with the Real Madrid A-Team, Garuba appeared in 60 games in the Liga ACB – the top domestic league in Europe – and in 52 games in the Euroleague, the second-best basketball competition behind just the NBA. Having this type of experience at just 19 years old is very intriguing and could give him an advantage against his draft colleagues in this regard.

He doesn’t have flashy stats, Garuba averaged just 4 points, 4 rebounds, and 1 assist per game in his latest Euroleague campaign.

Primary Strengths

Garuba is arguably the best defender in this draft class. The mix of length, height, and physical power is undeniably everything a team would desire when building up the perfect defensive player in the modern NBA. While playing in Europe he was able to display great ability defending on and off the ball. When he was asked to guard players one on one he showcased his ability, he has quick feet and can slide to follow the opposite penetrations. His body is complete and ready for the NBA’s caliber of athleticism and competition, at just 19, he is already shaped like a grown man and shouldn’t need a long period of time to adjust to it.

Garuba’s best skill on the offensive side is probably related to the screen and roll game. He can set impactful screens with his wide and solid frame and when he is found rolling to the basket he displayed good decision making both finishing with a layup or finding the open man on the court.

Primary Weaknesses

If scouts are really impressed by his overall defensive ability the same could not be stated for his offensive skill set, which is very limited at the moment. Garuba’s overall touch is not great and needs to be improved to allow him to be impactful in different ways on the court. This limitation has an impact both on his shooting and handling. Percentages do not look that great as he is a career 31% and 60% shooter respectively from the 3 point and free-throw line. On the other side, his handle is not tight at all and does not allow him to drive the ball against competent defenders.

If we want to find a weakness in Garuba’s defensive game it would likely be with rim protection. With Real Madrid, he needed to play with another big guy because he could not provide the ideal coverage near the basket. Even if his wingspan is listed at a good 7’2”, his limited height of just 6’8 plays a role in his inability to guard the rim. In his first few years in the NBA, Garuba is going to need another big next to him in order to protect the rim, once his positioning adjusts to the NBA game he would surely be a great option as a small-ball center.

Draft Projection

Garuba’s projected as a mid to late lottery pick heading into the draft. He should be available when Charlotte is on the clock.

The fit with the Hornets would be a great one because the team displayed an overall lack of perimeter defense and size. A team like Charlotte, which is willing to improve last year’s roster with precise talents after they found their likely star player, would be really happy to add a great defender and an overall smart player. His defensive abilities fit great with the heavy switching system used by head coach James Borrego and on the offensive side, he would be an asset to LaMelo Ball in the pick and roll.

The 2021 NBA Draft will be held on Thursday, July 29 from the Barclays Center in Brooklyn, New York. The draft will be televised on ABC (first-round only) and ESPN.