here`s his profile. NBA Comparison: Marvin Williams Strengths: One of the top athletes in the country, Aminu had a solid sophomore year, with more opportunities to shine after James Johnson and Jeff Teague left for the pros ... A huge leaper with freakish athleticism, explosiveness and solid length, Aminu uses these 3 strengths to make him an excellent rebounder and defender ... His athleticism contributes to a quick first step, while possessing a good enough handle to take his defender off the dribble north to south rather than east to west ... His solid frame, length and athleticism give him the ability to be an excellent defender, with the option of allowing him to guard the 2, 3 or 4 ... His leaping abilities allow him to get up and block shots, as well as eliminate second chance opportunities on the defensive glass ... Again he uses his pure athleticism to keep the ball alive on the offensive glass making him a tough target to box out ... High energy player, will lay out for the ball ... Showed an improved post game, using his quickness to elude his defender down low and get off uncontested shots even with his man on his back ... He has a good enough handle to match his athleticism following a rebound, allowing him to go coast to coast where he thrives in transition, as he runs the floor very well and can soar around the hoop making him a point guard's best friend on the break ... Weaknesses: Aminu's glaring weakness is his inability to create shots for himself and hit from the outside ... He lacks any real range on his outside game, and does not have the ability to pull up off the dribble ... He lacks touch around the basket when he's not close enough to dunk ... Turnover prone, with a tendency to be out of control and a bit awkward when taking his man off the dribble ... Handle is not diverse enough, most of his drives are made because of a quick first step, while limited to mainly just going right ... His lack of shooting ability hurts his chances of playing the 3 at the next level, most likely he will play the athletic and high flying power forward role until he broadens his perimeter skills ... Not skilled enough to immediately be effective on the offensive end... Overall: Aminu's strengths include all of the things you can't teach, which is a great sign for potential and upside considering all the things he needs to improve upon can be learned and developed as he grows as a player ... More than just a highlight reel type player, Aminu would be a great fit on a team that wants to run and gun, or a team that lacks athleticism at the forward position ... His defensive and rebounding abilities make his stock higher than those players who may be more skilled at this point in time ... His versatility on defense, energy and athleticism on offensive, and tremendous upside should make Aminu a surefire lottery pick in June... Strengths: Small Forward with a terrific frame with a 7-foot plus wing span and great agility ... Excellent versatility with the ability to do it all ... Has bigtime potential and should be a factor the minute he steps onto campus at Wake Forest ... Has a nice set of skills offensively with the ability to create shots off the dribble ... Terrific form on his jump shot ... Ball handling is very good for a 6-8 small forward ... Has range out to three point ... A quality rebounder with the ability to rip down a board and go coast to coast ... Uses ball fakes well and has good moves around the basket ... Long arms make him a good shot blocker and rebounder ... Early in his high school career, he was a post player so his post up skills are very good for a 3, a skill that will come in handy at the NBA level ... Has no positional questions, as his skills and size are perfect for the small forward position ... Great in the open floor utilizing his speed athleticism and body control well ... Very quick off his feet and dunks without needing much momentum towards the rim ... High motor guy with great focus and intensity ... Weaknesses: Needs to get stronger physically. Improved upper body strength will allow him to finish better at the rim after contact ... His outside shot is good but needs more range and consistency ... Can at times be too enamored with the outside shot. He's better off the dribble ... Must improve his consistency on the defensive end of the floor ... Notes: A descendant of Nigerian kings ... His decision to stay at Wake Forest after the tragic death of Skip Prosser is a tribute to his character ... Appears to be a likely one and done candidate ... <object width="640" height="385"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/zwHm81oXlY8&hl=en_US&fs=1&"></param><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"></param><param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always"></param><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/zwHm81oXlY8&hl=en_US&fs=1&" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowscriptaccess="always" allowfullscreen="true" width="640" height="385"></embed></object> <object width="640" height="385"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/cIUnTeKdqWA&hl=en_US&fs=1&"></param><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"></param><param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always"></param><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/cIUnTeKdqWA&hl=en_US&fs=1&" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowscriptaccess="always" allowfullscreen="true" width="640" height="385"></embed></object> IMO, this is the guy Morey`s after. we need some athletes up front. he`s the guy. he`s a physical specimen. plays great D. he compliments Yao and Scola up front with Jordan Hill. he can play the 3 or the 4, therefore would allow Bud to slide over to play the 2 when Martin is resting.
I was never overly impressed by his game when watching Wake play this year. He might be able to become a Marvin Williams light type player...which again, doesn't really excite me. I'd almost rather take a flyer as a GM on someone who has a lot more upside, but more risk. He had great rebounding numbers, but I don't think he can play PF in the NBA consistently, and he doesn't seem to have the handle, the outside shot, or the speed to be a great wing player. That said, he seems to play smart, have solid to great overall athleticism, can score fairly effectively from the 2 point range, and as noted, great rebounding numbers. I think he could come in and contribute off the bench relatively quickly.
Interesting prospect but the idea of him or Wesley Johnson being the BPA available at #6 provided these Golden State rumors have any legs is somewhat disturbing to me. I just don't see a "can't miss" guy outside of the top four picks and SF isn't exactly our biggest need at the moment. If we move up and somebody like Cousins doesn't drop a couple spots, I'd just take Greg Monroe outright before I'd touch either Aminu or Johnson but that's just me.
The Rockets indeed need more athleticism, but Aminu is an athlete without skills like shooting or passing. What the Rockets really need are more offensively and defensively skilled players who are uber athletic and tall as well, especially at center and shooting guard. I would be okay with Cousins, happy with Whiteside or Alabi, and delighted with Xavier Henry. Wall, Evans, Favors and Johnson just aren't going to happen. Aminu just doesn't fit the Rockets, although I'm sure he will be an NBA player somewhere.
Agree with your comments regarding Aminu,and our need for athletic,tall,offensively and defensively skilled 5's,2's. Henry is good for 14,Alabi is much too raw,and I'm concerned about Whiteside too. Cousins will go at 5 IMO,behind Johnson. Don't feel he is mature either.
for a guy that relies on his athleticism so much to succeed, he tested pretty average at the combine. not a good sign. he's not really big enough to play the 4, and can't spread the floor as a 3. to top it off his interviews are awful (reportedly). this guy is gonna slide. he was a top 5 pick before the combines. now it looks like top 10 and falling.
Out of all the people projected in the top 10 I think he's the one that will be a bust. I mean he might be a player down the road but teams drafting him before Henry and George will regret it imo.
